Author Topic: I'm shooting my 45-70 for less than $5 per 50 (Read 1454 times)

tykempster · « **on:** June 30, 2009, 02:33:11 PM »

Here's my success story!

I get free cases from factory ammo...I always ask people for their brass. I started casting. 405 grain bullets cost me 4 cents each! I shoot 10 grains of Unique ($18 a pound) with cotton ball filler for 950ish FPS. Mom buys me the cotton balls, so those are free.

A box of 100 primers costs me $2.50. Total is $4.54 every 50 rounds.

mechanic · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2009, 03:23:24 PM »

Whats I wants to know is, where you buying primers? The few I've found cost two finger joints and a little toe!

OBXPilgrim · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2009, 03:33:26 PM »

Shhhhhhh!!

Don't want to sound like any of that makes sense, it's getting hard to find wheelweights as it is.

You forgot to mention how difficult is is to pour lead bullets - it takes a degree in alchemy, you know. And if your neighbors see you casting, just tell them you're running a meth lab, they don't want the dangers of lead around - evil stuff, you know.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2009, 04:05:10 PM »

lube and elactricity
amatorize equipment

gas to the range
now you will be shooting so much more

now you need moulds for every thing you own

you in bigger trouble than you thought

wreckhog · « **Reply #4 on:** July 01, 2009, 02:56:04 AM »

Dem some cheap components

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 01, 2009, 03:41:32 AM »

That is some cheap shooting alright. I do not cast bullets, so their cost is considerably more. I buy .358" 148 grain wad cutters for about .09 each (as much as your total cost BTW). The primers are in the .03 (small pistol) range and powder is .0075 per shot (2.6 grains bullseye), some where around 2700 rounds/pound. That is a total of .13 per shot so, by far, the most expensive part is the bullets. I am talking 38 Specials, not 45-70. So my cost is $13/hundred. Cases last almost forever. I do not bell the mouth, because I can start the lead bullets into the case with my thumb. Still not bad, but not as good as yours for sure. I am going this route for some cheap and fun plinking loads that I can use in my 357 Mag revolver and rifle. Good Luck to you and Good Shooting

AtlLaw · « **Reply #6 on:** July 01, 2009, 01:23:53 PM »

Quote from: tykempster on June 30, 2009, 02:33:11 PM

I started casting.

Having fun casting there Tyler? You must be getting pretty good results... $:-\$ You guys are going to force me to try casting more then just round balls... $:-\$ But them moulds be 'spensive!

mechanic · « **Reply #7 on:** July 01, 2009, 02:50:52 PM »

Quote from: AtlLaw on July 01, 2009, 01:23:53 PM

Quote from: tykempster on June 30, 2009, 02:33:11 PM
I started casting.

Having fun casting there Tyler? You must be getting pretty good results... $:-\$ You guys are going to force me to try casting more then just round balls... $:-\$ But them moulds be 'spensive!

Try one of the Lee molds Richard, until you see if you like it. Very economical. I'm using a 405gr. hollow base mold with excellent results. Great for low velocity. Be glad to send you a few to try.

Ben

mtbugle · « **Reply #8 on:** July 01, 2009, 03:07:04 PM »

I have been using half and half old candle wax and vasaline for economical lube in my black powder loads. what are you guys using for your smokeless? Wonder if this mix would hold up to healthy smokeless loads?
thanks Don.

Datil · « **Reply #9 on:** July 01, 2009, 03:22:56 PM »

I would like to know where you get your primers? just recently I found
large rifle primers $ 5.50 a hundred ! the only small rifle primers $7.00 a hundred.
datil

mechanic · « **Reply #10 on:** July 01, 2009, 05:36:17 PM »

Quote from: mtbugle on July 01, 2009, 03:07:04 PM

I have been using half and half old candle wax and vasaline for economical lube in my black powder loads. what are you guys using for your smokeless? Wonder if this mix would hold up to healthy smokeless loads?
thanks Don.

Still hijacking Ty's thread, but I don't know if you're asking me or him. I use homemade lube similar to several I've read in GB's. Have also tried alox and some blue stuff my Dad had 20 years ago. Haven't seen any difference in performance, but bear in mind, I load low level stuff for plinking, nothing over about 1500fps or so. Now Ty shoots about a 2000 gr. bullet at about 5000fps if I remember right from that little video he had.

For that you need serious lube. And a supple shoulder.

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #11 on:** July 01, 2009, 06:04:49 PM »

Yea and you can get free wheel weights down at the truck stop. Just walk through there after midnight with a 5 gal. bucket and a pair of pliers.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #12 on:** July 02, 2009, 05:49:51 AM »

Quote from: mechanic on July 01, 2009, 02:50:52 PM

Great for low velocity. Be glad to send you a few to try.

Thanks Ben, I may take you up on that at some point!

I spent some time looking over moulds and costs and sizing machines and lubing sizer dies and such, and pretty much decided that casting wouldn't be worth the cost in my case. Now if I were young Tyler's age, ain't no doubt I'd be doing it. But, as someone here on GBO said before, and I paraphrase, "unless you shoot a lot it makes more sence to just buy your cast bullets."

Hi-ebber, and day is always a hi-ebber, you still need moulds for "hot glue" bullets fired in a basement range...

mtbugle · « **Reply #13 on:** July 02, 2009, 06:21:27 AM »

I appologize if it appears I am hijacking the thread. I just felt it was about inexpensive casting for 45-70 and mentioned what I have used and wondered what was working for smokeless in cheap homebrew possibly lube? I am planning on loading some up as black is so expensive now when have to fill up whole case.
Thanks Don.

mechanic · « **Reply #14 on:** July 02, 2009, 12:21:02 PM »

Quote from: mtbugle on July 02, 2009, 06:21:27 AM

I appologize if it appears I am hijacking the thread. I just felt it was about inexpensive casting for 45-70 and mentioned what I have used and wondered what was working for smokeless in cheap homebrew possibly lube? I am planning on loading some up as black is so expensive now when have to fill up whole case.
Thanks Don.

Wasn't implying that YOU were hijacking, but was afraid I was.

Quote from: AtlLaw on July 02, 2009, 05:49:51 AM

Quote from: mechanic on July 01, 2009, 02:50:52 PM
Great for low velocity. Be glad to send you a few to try.

Thanks Ben, I may take you up on that at some point! I spent some time looking over moulds and costs and sizing machines and lubing sizer dies and such, and pretty much decided that casting wouldn't be worth the cost in my case. Now if I were young Tyler's age, ain't no doubt I'd be doing it. But, as someone here on GBO said before, and I paraphrase, "unless you shoot a lot it makes more sence to just buy your cast bullets."

Hi-ebber, and day is always a hi-ebber, you still need moulds for "hot glue" bullets fired in a basement range...

I don't size for my 45-70. I drop 'em, lube 'em and load 'em!
By the way, did you realize that a glue bullet pushed by a magnum primer will break glass? Don't ask me how I know...............

45-70.gov · « **Reply #15 on:** July 02, 2009, 03:22:21 PM »

Quote from: AtlLaw on July 01, 2009, 01:23:53 PM

Quote from: tykempster on June 30, 2009, 02:33:11 PM
I started casting.

Having fun casting there Tyler? You must be getting pretty good results... $:-\$ You guys are going to force me to try casting more then just round balls... $:-\$ But them moulds be 'spensive!

next time you in fernandina stop by

i got 2 new molds for the 45-70
i need motivation to heat them up

if you got lead bring it.... if not i have some to spare

BowHunter252 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 02, 2009, 06:07:04 PM »

Quote from: AtlLaw on July 02, 2009, 05:49:51 AM

Quote from: mechanic on July 01, 2009, 02:50:52 PM
Great for low velocity. Be glad to send you a few to try.

Thanks Ben, I may take you up on that at some point! I spent some time looking over moulds and costs and sizing machines and lubing sizer dies and such, and pretty much decided that casting wouldn't be worth the cost in my case. Now if I were young Tyler's age, ain't no doubt I'd be doing it. But, as someone here on GBO said before, and I paraphrase, "unless you shoot a lot it makes more sence to just buy your cast bullets."

Hi-ebber, and day is always a hi-ebber, you still need moulds for "hot glue" bullets fired in a basement range...

I got started casting ( a few months ago) for my 45-70 for right at $20. I don't size or use gas checks. I got some free wheel weights. You can make it as cheap or expensive as you want. I just used a single burner propane stove and a steel pot for melting. Really the only cost was $20 for the Lee mold.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #17 on:** July 03, 2009, 03:40:55 AM »

I enjoy casting, and reloading. If I didn't do both there would be now way I could afford to shoot as much as I do. Right now I am good on most components, I have around 40 thousand primers on hand maybe 50lbs powder and 7 or 8 thousand bullets, Prolly 500lbs of lead/WWs. Always looking for more thou. gotta keep them handies from starving ya know.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #18 on:** July 03, 2009, 03:55:21 AM »

Quote from: mechanic on July 02, 2009, 12:21:02 PM

By the way, did you realize that a glue bullet pushed by a magnum primer will break glass? Don't ask me how I know...............

Good info that! I'm going to build a plastic/rubber/wax/glue bullet range in my basement; rather then a media room!

That little tidbit will help in the design specs!

Though the distance may be limited, it should be some pretty cheap practice. LESS then $5 per 50!

AtlLaw · « **Reply #19 on:** July 03, 2009, 04:00:45 AM »

Quote from: 45-70.gov on July 02, 2009, 03:22:21 PM

next time you in fernandina stop by

Kathie and I will be at Jekyll for a few days toward the end of July. Not that far from Fernandina. $:-\$ I always liked Fernandina but Kathie likes the Jekyll Island Club...

tykempster · « **Reply #20 on:** July 03, 2009, 06:46:03 PM »

AtlLaw pm me.

kitchawan kid · « **Reply #21 on:** July 04, 2009, 09:45:41 AM »

Don't forget in some places it's just as hard to get bullets as primers,a mold just get's rid of one more problem.

Smokin Joe · « **Reply #22 on:** July 04, 2009, 04:05:10 PM »

tykempster · « **Reply #23 on:** July 04, 2009, 06:44:16 PM »

Edited...Atllaw PM me.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #24 on:** July 05, 2009, 04:19:15 AM »

Okay Tyler, I'll PM you as soon as I finish feeding the offspring and grandbaby hords that have invaded my house for the weekend!

They come blasting through, mouths open like baby birds sitting on a fence post waiting for momma & daddy to drop a worm in. I cook all day, go to bed early cause I'm whipped, they stay up all night and are still in their respective beds at 10AM the next morning!

The adults that is...

The granbabies are up (at 6am) needing to be fed and occupied by... Guess who?

The adults will get up sooner or later of course. They expect me to cook one of my world famous brunches...

It's a good thing the urge to reproduce was made so strong because if people knew what demanding little creatures children are, and our youngest is over 30, the human race would have died out eons ago!