In my opinion if you want to go faster than 1500 fps, you'll need extra hard bullets, good lube and gas checks to avoid leading. So go for bigger calibers and heavy bullets for energy and avoid the need for speed.
In my part of the world, gas checks are hard to find. I only have Hornady gas checks for a Saeco bullet of 180grs in .308.
For handguns I've never used gas checks. When you need speed, go for a jacketed bullet or a leadless.

And there is always the one between: look at the copper plated bullets as produced bij H&N. They also give reloading data for very reduced loads. They shoot rather good till 100 m, but I still didn't try them on game.

I was thinking of a small 4 or 5 inch cast iron skillet that I know is around here someplace if my wife didn't throw it away. But I will try to find a lead melting pot the next time I get to town.

I want to cast bullet that are going to expand good when used on game. The majority will get shot through paper or at a gong. I am a firm believer in shooting what you hunt with. Expansion energy and accuracy are more important then speed to me.

Wiersy, don't worry too much for expansion. It's common knowledge that lead doesn't part that easy + even when you make it as hard as possible, it will expand more than a jacketed bullet.
And in my opinion: speed can give energy and nice balistics to a bullet, but weight and low speed will easier transfer its energy to the game. And when less energy is lost after the animal is hit, you also need less energy to start.
Example: look at your 357 RM. When you shoot at a piece of wood with a lead .38 Spl WC or SWC and compare the damage with a real hot loaded .357 RM jacketed bullet.

But making myself as much as possible the things needed for hunting is also my hobby... and getting olders means also it's harder to find next challenge. So one of the goals for this year is to develop and test lead bullets in hunting loads. My friends will think I'm nuts...

Aloysius wrote:

My friends will think I'm nuts...

The reason most of us are here is that we're nuts!!!!

I was going to go to the second hand stores and tire shops to start collecting things for casting but the thermometer says it's -28* outside and doesn't sound like it is going to warm up much today.

I am fortunate enough to have a plumber for a hunting buddy and he brings home all kind of lead from remodel jobs.

I'm screwed in that department all of my buddies get stuff from me around here.

well; that happens to me sometimes too.

Picked up about 250 pounds of wheel weights so far, a cast iron pot, a couple lead ladles, and misc other household items all for little or nothing. I have to make a trip to the VA tomorrow and it happens a couple of my favorite sport stores are only a mile away from there. I will hopefully get the Lyman manual there. I don't know if they carry molds or not.

250lbs = alot of big boooms!!! I guess you wont run out in a hurry.

Lyman has a new cast bullet manual coming out this week I think. 4th edition

I'm hoping to pickup the 3rd and new 4th editions.

Elvis wrote:

250lbs = alot of big boooms!!! I guess you wont run out in a hurry.

It will keep me busy for a few weeks.

Cheaper material = cheaper bullets but doesn't mean saving money just able to shoot that much more.

I love to pull triggers!

Just make sure you mix em up well.
That way you can be sure of all your bullet quality, rather than batch depended quality.

Still considering that 500gr mold. Tough decision for a newbie.

I found it easier to cast larger bullets than smaller ones..

So there.. did that nudge you over the fence?