I don't cast or reload for 9mm simply because when I had the interest to dabble in 9mm the molds and other equipment was either out of stock or very hard to find. I also found factory ammo cheaper to buy than to reload for 9mm. I don't own a 9mm nor do I know anyone that does, so, I can not offer much input on the effectiveness of reloading for it.
I do cast and reload for 38 Sp / 357 Mag and 45, which are my number one ventures. The 38/357 mag stuff is top on my list for my wife's revolver and the 45 stuff is mostly for my Muzzleloader needs, but, this is what I cast and I have found that casting some hard bullets from ingot beats buying them.
I also shoot using a bullet trap, so, ALL of my lead is reused several times over. It's not like I am buying lead, casting it, shooting it, and then buying more lead. I am shooting it, reclaiming it, and reprocessing it over and over, therefore, making my lead purchases go a long long way when buying clean ingots instead of buying precast bullets or using crappy WW lead. I way more than get my investments worth with my lead. Besides, casting a few hundred bullets, for the 38/357 and 45 ML's takes no time at all when you're doing 2 at a time per drop. Just think of what you can do with a 6 cavity mold. I hand dip my lead, so, the 6 cavity is not really good for me, but, if you use an electric pot, you can pour out 250-500 bullets in no time at all.
Sometimes I only plan to cast maybe 100 to 150 bullets and next thing I know I have made 200+ because I lose track of my count and I end with more than I actually need. It's that easy. Sort of like speeding and not knowing it because the car rides so smooth.
Just PLEASE keep in mind that I am not debating that you should cast your own bullets versus buying a cast bullet or plated / jacketed bullets. All I am saying is that you must have the interest in casting bullets because you enjoy using a bullet you made and enjoy the process and art of making a bullet. Now if you are a serious target shooter on a regular basis, which I am not in any way, then you may look at it from the cost and time saving standpoint, which means you want to simply reload and go waste bullets, and there's no interest in physically making a bullet for your needs.
Like I have stated before, I cast my own ML bullets because commercial bullets are ridiculously expensive and I truly feel sorry for anyone who pays those prices from a store. $25.00 for 20 simple no frills ML bullets is highway robbery, gouging on steroids, whatever you wish to call it, therefore, I cast my own and shoot all day with no concerns of shooting a $1.25 per bullet pack of bullets. There is not a Muzzleloader bullet on the face of this galaxy that is worth $1.00 each. That's why I cast bullets.
These are my main three molds that get used most often. 38/357 and two weights of .45 cal
.
I do cast and reload for 38 Sp / 357 Mag and 45, which are my number one ventures. The 38/357 mag stuff is top on my list for my wife's revolver and the 45 stuff is mostly for my Muzzleloader needs, but, this is what I cast and I have found that casting some hard bullets from ingot beats buying them.
I also shoot using a bullet trap, so, ALL of my lead is reused several times over. It's not like I am buying lead, casting it, shooting it, and then buying more lead. I am shooting it, reclaiming it, and reprocessing it over and over, therefore, making my lead purchases go a long long way when buying clean ingots instead of buying precast bullets or using crappy WW lead. I way more than get my investments worth with my lead. Besides, casting a few hundred bullets, for the 38/357 and 45 ML's takes no time at all when you're doing 2 at a time per drop. Just think of what you can do with a 6 cavity mold. I hand dip my lead, so, the 6 cavity is not really good for me, but, if you use an electric pot, you can pour out 250-500 bullets in no time at all.
Sometimes I only plan to cast maybe 100 to 150 bullets and next thing I know I have made 200+ because I lose track of my count and I end with more than I actually need. It's that easy. Sort of like speeding and not knowing it because the car rides so smooth.
Just PLEASE keep in mind that I am not debating that you should cast your own bullets versus buying a cast bullet or plated / jacketed bullets. All I am saying is that you must have the interest in casting bullets because you enjoy using a bullet you made and enjoy the process and art of making a bullet. Now if you are a serious target shooter on a regular basis, which I am not in any way, then you may look at it from the cost and time saving standpoint, which means you want to simply reload and go waste bullets, and there's no interest in physically making a bullet for your needs.
Like I have stated before, I cast my own ML bullets because commercial bullets are ridiculously expensive and I truly feel sorry for anyone who pays those prices from a store. $25.00 for 20 simple no frills ML bullets is highway robbery, gouging on steroids, whatever you wish to call it, therefore, I cast my own and shoot all day with no concerns of shooting a $1.25 per bullet pack of bullets. There is not a Muzzleloader bullet on the face of this galaxy that is worth $1.00 each. That's why I cast bullets.
These are my main three molds that get used most often. 38/357 and two weights of .45 cal
.
