2021 Lead Bullet Casting Class and Workshop Saturday, February 27th, 2021

2021 Lead Bullet Casting Class and Workshop Saturday, February 27th, 2021

2020’s Cast Lead Bullet Workshop was a huge success. So, we plan on doing it all over again in 2021.

Since the casting of molten lead at 750+ degrees F is not something that anyone would want to do during the hot Summer months, I have scheduled the class for Saturday, February 27th, 2021, hoping that it is a cool and clear weather day. Below, you will find a link for signing up for the Casting Workshop. Pre-registration is required. No prior reloading experience is necessary. By clicking on the link, you will go to a subsequent page where the location for the class is listed, fee, times, etc. The class fee is $50 per participant. Materials for the day are included. Bring your own lunch and beverage though.

Class will begin promptly at 09:00 and end at approximately 5:00 PM

The class will include training and instruction on the following subjects:

• Safety discussions. Handling hot lead can be dangerous if not prepared. We will have a safety meeting prior to the start of the class, and will focus on safety factors during the entire event. We will provide safety equipment as suitable for your safety. However, we will also require that you sign a “Hold Harmless” agreement for participation. This is the same sort of agreement that everyone signs when doing any activities that have any risk. I have done many of these classes over the years, and no one has ever been injured.
• Gathering lead alloys. Where, how, and what types
• Sorting the raw materials – especially important for the lead wheel weights that you can collect
• “Smelting” of the raw alloys to remove the impurities (sand, grit, and other impurities that could damage your lands and grooves), and producing “ingots” for your casting pot
• Alloying of lead to provide a proper alloy for your casting needs
• Success with Cast Lead Bullets requires three factors, we will cover all of these during the class
  • Hardness of the alloy, with regard to the muzzle velocity
  • Sizing of the alloy, relative to the bore diameter
  • Lubrication of the bullets, to prevent lead fouling
• Methods for testing hardness of alloys
• Selection and preparation of a mold.
  • Where to get molds, and what is a good mold vs a not so good mold
• Types of molds, solid molds vs hollow point Cramer types. Aluminum, brass, iron molds
• Preparing and adjusting molds
• Tools and accessories for casting lead bullets, including casting pots, PIDs, dippers, use of a mold tapper
• Methods for producing good castings (you will cast some lead bullets, which you can take home and use, limited selection. This is a hands on class)
• Lubricizing cast bullets ( discussion and use of machines for finishing the castings, making them ready for use)
• Making and buying bullet lube
• Use of Gas Checks, what they are, how to use them, and why to use them
• Assembling cast lead bullets into Pistol and Rifle cartridges
• Load data for cast lead bullets is different than for jacketed or plated or coated bullets. Complete discussion of where to get safe load data for cast lead bullets
• Storage of finished bullets
• Cautions regarding sale of cast lead bullets – Typically, a Class 6 license is required to sell (for profit) cast lead bullets, or any bullets.

I started these classes/workshops many years ago in New England. They continue to this day. Many hundreds of students have learned to safely cast lead bullets. Here’s a link back to www.northeastshooters.com, which was a group I continue to be a member of:
NorthEast Shooters Web Forum with details regarding early casting classes/workshops   << btw, my screen name on that forum is DukeInFlorida

We will provide all materials for the day, including lead alloy suitable for casting pistol bullets. If you choose to bring some of your own safety equipment (heat resistant gloves, safety glasses, masks, etc) it’s OK. We will have enough on hand to facilitate a large class. I’ll also have experienced bullet casters on hand to assist me with the class so that all steps along the way are guided and safe.

There will be lots of handouts. One lucky participant will win the door prize, a printed copy of Glen Fryxell’s 182 page book, “From Ingot to Target, A Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunners” Considered to be one of the bibles of bullet casting knowledge, this book will be a great reference for your casting after the class.

There will be lots of other handouts, and some free raffle items.

So, please join me on Saturday, February 27th, 2021, starting at 09:00 at a location in Deland (click the link for location details) for my much awaited 2021 Lead Bullet Casting Class and Workshop. Click the following link to sign up for the class.
UPDATE: Registration for this class will open in the Fall of 2020.

This registration will begin in the Fall of 2020