bronko22000

Hardcast...I just went to NEI Handtools site and apparently Joel(?) has passed and they are no longer taking orders.

hardcastonly

Im sorry to hear that , as I've purchased a dozen or more molds from them,
but admittedly most were purchased 20 years ago or more
I had heard they had a new machinist, I guess it did not work out long term
, (they still work just as good as brand new)

theres still the similar saeco mold

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/10...nose-gas-check

bronko22000

Wow, for $140 they can keep it! I'd just as soon go to jacketed bullets before I pay that much for a mold. The amount of shooting I do with it would not justify the cost.

hardcastonly

yeah, your correct, bullet casting costs you time and it requires rather expensive one time equipment cost and some on-going
expenses for lead, gas checks and electricity, lubes etc/
if you don,t go through several hundreds of rifle cartridges in 45 caliber every year,
the cost of a good quality rifle bullet mold, and casting your own projectiles is prohibitive. I guess I was lucky,
that I purchased most of mine, decades ago when most cost $60-$80 back then.
keep an eye out on the local bargain trader magazine and ebay, craigs list etc,
you occasionally see deals on reloading and casting equipment listed,
Ive purchased reloader presses, dies, molds lead scrap, at yards sales for pennies on the dollar
but keep in mind, you can fabricate your own bullets for under 7-10 cents each,but you could
purchase similar bullets cast/gas check or jacketed for 25-40 cents each minimum,
and in many case pay shipping charges, most will be considerably softer alloy
so lets say you can save 20-25 cents a bullet casting your own,
if you don,t shoot too much your time and cost is minimal, and not worth the effort,
but if you shoot a good deal the cost is rather quickly off set or amortized.
that and the higher quality projectile is, in my experience, more accurate.

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...ting-video-dvd

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...point-50-count

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...point-50-count

https://www.sagesoutdoors.com/458-ri...or-gas-checks/

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/19...nose-gas-check

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/35...nose-gas-check

hardcastonly

this last sat morning I had one of the guys I rather regularly hunt (mostly hogs) with stop by and we cast a few bullets
he brought his own bullet mold , he uses those cast bullets in the browning 78 single shot 45/70
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/10...n-semi-pointed

hes been using 45 grains of h-4831 and a 215 fed primer and found it consistently accurate with bullets sized .459
we use a fiber wad under these bullets

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/...70/1/WAD-460-V.460" diameter Vegetable Fiber Wad, ideal for .45 caliber rifles, .062" thick card, 1000, by Circle Fly Wads