Massalina Matt Posted October 13 Share Posted October 13 Howdy all,I'm just getting started in CAS and I'm cleaning out my powder room to get setup for loading cowboy. I'll start out just shooting. 38 or .45,but I can see myself sliding over to the dark side before all is said and done. I'll probably convert some of my cap and ball pistols because I like tinkering with stuff. My question is: How many of y'all use a bullet sizer? I have a lube-a-matic I picked up in the past but haven't used yet. Is this something I should hold on to because I'll wish I had it later, or let it go to make some room? I've had to downsize, so space is at a premium! Just looking for some opinions, appreciate any replies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted October 13 Share Posted October 13 You only need a bullet sizer if you are going to cast your own bullets. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackalope Posted October 13 Share Posted October 13 (edited) I use two bullet sizers, one for regular wax lube for smokeless ammo, the other for home-made lube for black powder ammo. I cast most of my bullets, but have been known to purchase bullets in bulk, as cast, unsized and unlubricated so I can lube them myself. Your mileage may vary. Jackalope Edited October 13 by Jackalope 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massalina Matt Posted October 13 Author Share Posted October 13 I most likely will, I've got a lot of 158gr but seems everyone shoots lighter stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massalina Matt Posted October 13 Author Share Posted October 13 Jackalope, I don't think I'll be shooting more than two matches a month and don't really have another place to just shoot, so I'm thinking around 300-400 rounds a month. Then again, I do like to be able to roll my own what with this up and down ammo situation these days. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted October 13 Share Posted October 13 For .38 special ammo, yes, most pards shoot either a 125 grain or a 105 grain slug. These are less often available commercially except from "cowboy action" casters. So, if you like to cast, have the time, and can find reasonably priced lead, it may be worth it if you cast. If you go to the cap-and-ball or conversion guns, you WILL want to cast. Your existing 158 grain stash will work, but if they are semi-wadcutter design, you won't get them to feed well in most lever rifles. Round nose flat point or truncated cone designs will be the cat's (cast) meow if you go looking for a mold. good luck, GJ 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted October 13 Share Posted October 13 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted October 13 Share Posted October 13 Keep it, you will need when you start shooting Black Powder Cartridge categories if you want to shoot real Black Powder. If you decide to shoot one of the Black Powder subs like APP or Shooter's World Black they are compatible with smokeless bullets. Currently, I find that the minimal cost savings it is not worth my time to cast bullets for smokeless ammo. However for bullets compatible with real BP, the lack of availability and the cost savings make it worth my time. For rifle bullets I cast all my own for both BP and smokeless. The cost savings and the fact that I only shoot a couple hundred of each caliber (38-55, 45-70, 56-50, and 30 cal) a year make it worth my time. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted October 13 Share Posted October 13 (edited) To maximize your available space look at the quick change strong mount system from Inline Fabrication. I love it because it allows me to use one strong mount with 2 Lubra Sizers, 2 progressive, and 3 single stage presses. When not in use, the storage dock holds everything nicely. Edited October 13 by Sedalia Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massalina Matt Posted October 13 Author Share Posted October 13 Garrison Joe, Thanks, I was looking at LP90306 from Lee.125 flat gang mold.I like their round ball molds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massalina Matt Posted October 13 Author Share Posted October 13 2 hours ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said: You only need a bullet sizer if you are going to cast your own bullets. thanks, looks like I'll be holding on to the sizer. Just the info I was looking for! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massalina Matt Posted October 13 Author Share Posted October 13 30 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said: To maximize your available space look at the quick change strong mount system from Inline Fabrication. I love it because it allows me to use one strong mount with 2 Lubra Sizers, 2 progressive, and 3 single stage presses. When not in use, the storage dock holds everything nicely. Thanks, good info! I'll have to check out that mount 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dapper Dave Posted October 14 Share Posted October 14 I just cast up 100+ 125gr 38 Special bullets last night, (just got that Lee mold in the mail on Wed), powder coated and sized with my El Cheapo Lee push through sizer to .358. Those seem to work well with smokeless loads. Been casting for almost 20 years now. 45 Colt black powder I will size, but they get lubed with SPG Tropical, and the full power loads of Black with those are "Katy, bar the door strong"! I need to use my new 125 grain bullets for Cowboy, so I have to experiment with really light loads - even with light loads the 158 grainers have more than a bit of recoil. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Chapo Posted October 14 Share Posted October 14 I cast all my SASS bullets and size them with the lee push through sizer. I usually use the 125 round flat but I have shot other bullets, including their 105. I powder coat all my bullets and I shoot them with both smokeless and black powder. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massalina Matt Posted October 14 Author Share Posted October 14 Dapper Dave, thanks, I think I'll go ahead and order that mold and break out the lead pot! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massalina Matt Posted October 14 Author Share Posted October 14 El Chapo, thanks for the input, where do you get your powder coat from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leroy Luck Posted October 14 Share Posted October 14 @Massalina Matt Missouri bullet company sells a jar of hi-tek coating powder 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massalina Matt Posted October 14 Author Share Posted October 14 Thanks Leroy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted October 14 Share Posted October 14 i shoot 158s , but if i wasnt using them in other guns than just my cowboy guns id look at the lighter mentioned above , as to that sizer/luber keep it you will end up buying new down the road if you let it go , 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Preacherman Posted October 14 Share Posted October 14 You don't need to size bullets for straight walled cases. Cast, powder coat or tumble lube, load and shoot 'em. Sizing them is a waste of time and bigger bullets shoot better. A guy at Lee years ago told me, "if they'll chamber, shoot 'em". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massalina Matt Posted October 15 Author Share Posted October 15 5 hours ago, watab kid said: i shoot 158s , but if i wasnt using them in other guns than just my cowboy guns id look at the lighter mentioned above , as to that sizer/luber keep it you will end up buying new down the road if you let it go , a buddy thinks he has a 125 mold I can try, but if he can't find it I'll just get a Lee mold, thanks for the help! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massalina Matt Posted October 15 Author Share Posted October 15 3 hours ago, Preacherman said: You don't need to size bullets for straight walled cases. Cast, powder coat or tumble lube, load and shoot 'em. Sizing them is a waste of time and bigger bullets shoot better. A guy at Lee years ago told me, "if they'll chamber, shoot 'em". I'm gonna run some 125's when I get a mold and powder coat 'em, then see if I have to size them. Thanks for the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom, SASS #54973 Posted October 15 Share Posted October 15 On 10/13/2024 at 2:26 PM, Sedalia Dave said: Keep it, you will need when you start shooting Black Powder Cartridge categories if you want to shoot real Black Powder. If you decide to shoot one of the Black Powder subs like APP or Shooter's World Black they are compatible with smokeless bullets. Dang...all these years I've been using standard 125gr boolits with Hy-Tek coating and real BP. Why hasn't anyone told me I'm doing it all wrong? Phantom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massalina Matt Posted October 15 Author Share Posted October 15 10 hours ago, Phantom, SASS #54973 said: Dang...all these years I've been using standard 125gr boolits with Hy-Tek coating and real BP. Why hasn't anyone told me I'm doing it all wrong? Phantom Phantom, Do you use the powder or the liquid hitek? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom, SASS #54973 Posted October 15 Share Posted October 15 17 minutes ago, Massalina Matt said: Phantom, Do you use the powder or the liquid hitek? I buy the bullets complete. Not smart enough nor have the time to make my own. 😜 Phantom 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Choctaw Jack Posted October 15 Share Posted October 15 Matt, I cast and coat all of my "Cowboy " bullets,and use a Lee push through sizer. Talk to your local powder coating shops, many will sell you powder. Gives you lots of color options, and I've been given the remnants of perfectly usable powder because they didn't have enough of that particular color to complete a larger project. Many automotive parts suppliers sell powder coating powder ( like Jegs, for instance), and the selection of colors is amazing. Choctaw 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massalina Matt Posted October 15 Author Share Posted October 15 10 minutes ago, Choctaw Jack said: Matt, I cast and coat all of my "Cowboy " bullets,and use a Lee push through sizer. Talk to your local powder coating shops, many will sell you powder. Gives you lots of color options, and I've been given the remnants of perfectly usable powder because they didn't have enough of that particular color to complete a larger project. Many automotive parts suppliers sell powder coating powder ( like Jegs, for instance), and the selection of colors is amazing. Choctaw Choctaw, I never even thought about a local shop, heck I know a guy that owns one. Good tip! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyesa Horg Posted October 15 Share Posted October 15 11 hours ago, Phantom, SASS #54973 said: Dang...all these years I've been using standard 125gr boolits with Hy-Tek coating and real BP. Why hasn't anyone told me I'm doing it all wrong? Phantom I know another Pard that uses HyTek coated with full BP loads. Do you have any issues with fouling in the rifle? I use Deparado Cowboy bullets in my pistols, but have been using Big Lubes in the rifle and go six stages without issue or doing anything. Appologies if this question is a hijack! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massalina Matt Posted October 15 Author Share Posted October 15 4 minutes ago, Eyesa Horg said: I know another Pard that uses HyTek coated with full BP loads. Do you have any issues with fouling in the rifle? I use Deparado Cowboy bullets in my pistols, but have been using Big Lubes in the rifle and go six stages without issue or doing anything. Appologies if this question is a hijack! Eyesa, good question, no hijack, I'm wondering too 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom, SASS #54973 Posted October 15 Share Posted October 15 15 minutes ago, Eyesa Horg said: I know another Pard that uses HyTek coated with full BP loads. Do you have any issues with fouling in the rifle? I use Deparado Cowboy bullets in my pistols, but have been using Big Lubes in the rifle and go six stages without issue or doing anything. Appologies if this question is a hijack! Okay...I kinda wasn't 100% truthful. I use 777 in rifle. I can easily run 12 stages without cleaning. Just a little Ballistol on the breech after each stage. BP in my revolvers and SG. A little ballistol on the cylinder gap and down the barrel of each revolver after each stage...can run well over 12 stages without cleaning. Phantom 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Chapo Posted October 15 Share Posted October 15 On 10/14/2024 at 6:38 AM, Massalina Matt said: El Chapo, thanks for the input, where do you get your powder coat from? I got it from a guy on the Cast Boolit forum: https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?252509-VS-Hi-Quality-Powdercoating-Powder-For-sale Never used anyone else's powder coat besides his. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted October 16 Share Posted October 16 22 hours ago, Massalina Matt said: a buddy thinks he has a 125 mold I can try, but if he can't find it I'll just get a Lee mold, thanks for the help! there is no hurry - take your time , that will eliminate errors that can be costly to rectify , but if you want to buy a mold by all means gofor it - just pick the one you want to use or you will be buying another [sometimes thats a good thing too but it costs you cash] 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massalina Matt Posted October 16 Author Share Posted October 16 3 minutes ago, watab kid said: there is no hurry - take your time , that will eliminate errors that can be costly to rectify , but if you want to buy a mold by all means gofor it - just pick the one you want to use or you will be buying another [sometimes thats a good thing too but it costs you cash] watab, you're right about that, I'm older,slower and more careful than I used to be. But I figure that's why I'm still here. 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted October 16 Share Posted October 16 good for you , that describes me as well , but , the reason i gave the advice is that i wads younger once , i bought then rebought a couple times before i figured out there was no hurry , now i have what i want and seldom look for more without careful research and study , its saved me a lot in these later days , my big slip was buying gyuns - i did get to try a lot of things over the years but ive sold twice what i currently own , some at a loss a couple at a proffit but most for what i p[aid so i dont feel as bad as i might , i was lucky , i dont recommend that approach , so i generally caution those just getting started 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massalina Matt Posted October 16 Author Share Posted October 16 Watab, good advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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