Is it worth the expense?
 

How many of you guys cast your own balls. (I know...that just doesn't sound right. :s11: ) I'm thinking about it but don't know if it is worth the effort, expense and time. I shoot a .44 cal. Remington so I'd be casting .451 round balls.

How about some feed-back? Thx.

It's worth it if you shoot a lot.

I am just starting to get into casting myself. I think I will save money in the long run shooting the heavy conicals but mostly I am looking forward to the satisfaction of a successful hunt with a bullet I made myself. It is just another hobby and another thing there is so much to learn about. I can also size the bullets just right for each individual rifle. Now I am trying to figure out what kind of bullet catch to make on my target range so I can keep reusing lead.
Art

If you shoot a lot, have access to the lead, and know how to do it properly, its a real money saver. Also a lot of fun to think that what your shooting or hunting with is something YOU made.

I said something to the wife about casting my own balls, I thought see was going to PISS her self dry.:happy0001::sign0004:

What expense???

I've haven't bought round balls in over 30 years, I bought bag molds and a ladle...
I get free lead from the dentist, use the Coleman as a heat source, melt in soup cans
and use SnoSeal for flux...Balls are easy to cast and in my case are more accurate...

I know my wife tried casting my balls a few times but they didn't go very far..!!!!
But serioulsly, I enjoy casting and cast bullets as well as balls. I probably don't shoot enough to save any real money. But the satisfaction of hitting a target or getting game with a projectile of your own making is worth it.

I been casting my own round balls and bullets for 3 years, in that time frame, I think i bought $50 worth of bullets. spent more on lead and molds then I have pre made bullets.

all your really need to get started is:
colman stove (or cheap knock off)
lead ladle (can use an steel spoon or ladle modded a little)
thrift store steel or iron pots (do not use aluminum)
lead (tire shops for hard stuff, check ebay for lead sheets, dr offices or roofers for soft back stop of ranges (free if public))
lee molds ($25 (high end) a pop for 2 cavity, single $18 or 19 each)

$75 to 100 to start up was my cost, considering 50 or 100 packs of round balls $14 and bullets cost $25 each local for me. I can make close to 40 .490 round balls with just little over a pound of lead.

sorry for the break down, everytime I start something new. I got to give and itemized list and how much it will save us to the boss ;)

Thanks corey012778,

Those numbers was what I was looking for. I'm headed down to the the local metal scrap yard and see if I can't find 3/8" or so thick piece of iron...need to build a bullet trap so I can start recycling the lead I shoot.

Maybe something like this...

that cool.

I edited, I was reading again. found an mistake in my post i said 400 round ball, it is close to 40 roundballs. it is close to 400 out of 10lbs. still good numbers