Just a show of hands, how many make their own ammution?

[Sidney Smith]

Juat wondering what the ratio of muzzleloader enthusiasts we have who make their own lead versus those who don't.

Ive been rolling my own since I got into the sport.

 

[longcruise]

Are you refering to casting?

If so, I started almost immediately casting my own about 45 years ago. Over the years I have occasionally bought Hornady balls when time was at a premium but now that I'm retired I cast everything.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Well, I started casting with my Grandfather back in the mid to late 1950's. So it was just a natural thing that I thought everybody did.....

 

[Shemp]

I havent started to yet, but plan on it!

 

[Old Hawkeye]

Time is a precious commodity. I'd rather spend time shooting than inhaling lead fumes. Read a post here yesterday that said a certain RB could be bought for 14 cents each. If you made your own the lead cost was 8 cents. Amortize the cost of the casting equipment & you are saving nothing for the first few thousand rounds. Hardly worth it, IMHO. I understand that some enjoy that part of our passtime & am not criticizing those that do. It's just not for me.

 

[Cowboy]

I’m a caster.

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[rafterob]

I've got the items needed but have a hard time finding the time. Maybe when I'm retired.

 

[mooman76]

Been casting since I was 12 with slingshot pellets. Almost all my lead was free, acquired stuff from when people gave it away just to get rid of it. It's doesn't cost much to get set up casting unless you want to spend allot of money. Most items can be acquired or made. You don't really inhale lead fumes unless you get the lead so hot it is near boiling point which isn't done at home.

 

[hawkeye2]

I cast my first bullet 65 years ago and have been at it ever since. There have been times when life's pressures and demands have caused me to buy but I have tried to keep that to a minimum. The truth is that with all that I have spent on casting equipment, molds (I have at least 45) and reloading equipment for unmentionables I probably would have been better off to buy everything OTC and work a little extra OT putting the money into the pot. Casting and prepping ammo is an integral part of the sport, for me at least, and that's how I rationalize it.

 

[Jaeger]

I cast my own. I don't like to buy what I can easily make myself, and I have a large supply of lead.

 

[Jaegermeister]

I’m a caster. Seems to be the right thing to do.

 

[tenngun]

Cast my own and last few years only using Calahans bag molds.

but a ha ha on me I buy pre cut patches

 

[ord sgt]

I have cast my own round ball and Minie for 35 years. Cast bullets for the modern firearms too.

 

[NorthFork]

Cast my own unless I don't have a mold for a new ball/bullet I want to try. Then I will buy a small amount to try before outlaying money for a mold.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

Time is a precious commodity. I'd rather spend time shooting than inhaling lead fumes.

I could not have said it any better in my own words! So.........ditto for me! I also am not criticizing those that do.
Flintlocklar

 

[Ames]

Casting. In a cross wind so you don't inhale the fumes.

 

[bud in pa]

Started out buying round balls. Then I invested in a few moulds, all Lee, Got an old plummer's furnace for free. I welded up a stand for it, picked up a small cast iron pot. All told I have less than $200 in it. I have also acquired a bit over 200 pounds of lead.

 

[Treestalker]

Back in the day a local friend had a yard sale which included an RCBS press and lots of other gear for reloading. I gave up $75 and my bride nearly blew a gasket over the money but I had a couple of different caliber magnums that needed feeding. I will say it all paid for itself in less than 3 years, including a Lee bottom pour pot and a few moulds. The equipment came with me to Arkansas and weathered my transition to Black Powder casting as well. That was about 28 years ago. Still cast and make my own cartridges but now they are made of paper in odd calibers like .570, .445 and .375 among other round balls that are loaded with -get this- cloth patches! Casting is alone time in the shop without distraction except for radio news talk or beautiful classical orchestral music in the background. Some of the best time on the homestead, with the added benefit of saving money on ammo and psychological advisors, LOL!

 

[ZUG]

I started casting in the mid 60's for muzzle loaders and cartridge guns because it was part of the total experience - why not

 

[olfuzzy]

I've been casting for about 40 years.