So new to this, so much to learn

[Fomdiddle]

I cast my first bullets this AM. I feel like a proud new papa. I started with a Pro pot 4 because of advise on this forum. My first bullets were from a Lee 405 gr for a 45-70. The very first bullets came out beautiful, because of advise and tactics learned on this forum. Thank you guys very much for taking the time and effort to share your knowledge. Especially you Michael have been a great help. Now my first question. My 45-70 mold is a .457 and I bought a .457 Lee sizer kit. This mold has the regular lube grooves instead of the tumble lube. I have a couple of sticks of Lee 50-50 beeswax/alox. I also have 3 bottles of the liquid alox. I think I need to lube before I run them through the sizer. Can this be done by hand with the sticks or should I try to dip? I also cast about 20-24 .338 from your molds but I think I didn't have the molds hot enough at first because some came out wrinkled but that went away later. I am going to use your tumble and dip method for them. Thanks again fellows, Fom

[41Retro]

Congrats. Looks like you're well on your way.
I've finger lubed bullets before running them through the Lee sizer with good results. It's just a bit tedious if you're doing a large number of bullets and requires occasional cleaning of the sizer mouth, but it works. Pan lubing is a little less messy and I've used that method before sizing also.
Those are some goodlooking slugs you have there. It really brings a smile to your face when you use them to harvest game.

[186 tmanbuckhunter]

Congratulations. I started out with a 30 cal bullet mold and had hell getting everything going and running right, but once I figured it out... dang was it fun! You're gonna love casting your own as you get into it more and more. Just another disease!

[Nightfisher]

Tman is right. It is a lot of fun. I get frustrated at times with them, trying to get the accuracy that you want but I just keep on trying.

Sounds like you are hooked (line and sinker). Have fun and enjoy.

[Fomdiddle]

I only started reloading this spring and have already swallowed the hook, line, and sinker, ......and the fishin pole. Fom

[Tony65x55]

Do the classic tumble lube before you size. That is, put all your bullets in a clean margarine container, squirt a SMALL amount of TL in and swirl them around for two minutes until all the bullets have a very light coating. Lay them out on wax paper to dry, then size them and attach gas checks (if applicable.)

After sizing, do the dip as per Michael's instructions. The light coat of lube will help the dip for a bond with the bullet. Works great!

[Fomdiddle]

Thanks Tony. That sounds a lot cleaner than finger lubing. Fom

[80hp]

For your first tumble lube you can thin LLA with mineral spirits until it runs like water. You don't need much for sizing.
I use thickened LLA for dipping.
M.

[Fomdiddle]

Yeah right Craig, you were my first. Fom

[jimone]

You probably don't need to size the .457 bullets at all if they have no gas check and they chamber ok. I use Lee 405 hollow base .459 that way, tumble lubed. Your .338 will need to be sized to seat gas checks, best done within 24 hrs of casting before they age harden, especially if water quenched. If checks fit tight, snap them on, tumble lube lightly, and run them threw the die still wet.Tumble lube again. I have found accuracy is better when grooves are not filled completely (thanks 35 Remington).

Another hint: use Lee liquid Allox to keep reloading dies from rusting, it's really Mil-spec corrosion proofing compound and doesn't seem to affect powder.