Zebulon said

Loaded commercial ammunition has gotten so high that every time I fire a single round it costs me the price of a pack of cigarettes. And that is just too high for a rich man, much less somebody like me. I quit in 1995 but I still cost-equilibrate things that way. 
  

And that is why you should seriously consider "rolling your own"

Bert

I have survived negligent discharges by others, tablesaws, motorcycles, a single engine aircraft mechanical failure, and women I wish I'd never met. 

I have no intention to need snuffing out while making bullets for a hobby. 

Loaded commercial ammunition has gotten so high that every time I fire a single round it costs me the price of a pack of cigarettes. And that is just too high for a rich man, much less somebody like me. I quit in 1995 but I still cost-equilibrate things that way. 

Mike

The white helmet Safety Men were the only staff empowered by union contract to fire or suspend an employee on the spot and require him to leave the plant immediately. There was an appeals process, of course but not on that day. Tools down and head for the gate. 

I remember going with Dad to a large hospital to see a friend of his who'd suffered extensive 3rd degree burns. I didn't have to imagine consequences. They greeted me with morphine-slurred words.

My growing  up was, more or less, one long safety lecture with color illustrations.

If I decide to play with molten lead, I will buy the safety gear first and it won't be the low bid stuff. 

Zebulon said
I am not ready yet to take up casting, although I moved friend Jim's electric pot and mold handles down to the garage. I'd need an apron, gloves, goggles, probably a dipper and a thermometer, some alloy -- and a mold. With everything else going on,  250 cast bullets might be a lot cheaper and furnish several years worth of shooting. It's the "several years" I have to consider. 
There is an alternative- get a resizing tool, a .352 die and RN top punch and squeeze down some of the .358 lead I've got on hand 
  

I wouldn't mind pouring a few, pretty sure won't be needing many for this rifle. A custom mould would be best but may not be a good investment. Good call on the PPE, I generally save my apron and face shield for melting down scrap lead for ingots. Sometimes scrap holds a surprise or two, my ingots are as safe as 750-degree lead can be. I always use welding gloves and a heavy long sleeve shirt, the gloves saved me when I had an equipment failure awhile back. 

Mike

There is an alternative- get a resizing tool, a .352 die and RN top punch and squeeze down some of the .358 lead I've got on hand 

Zebulon said
They are curious and unique. I intend to see if I can sight mine in, once I can get settled on a load. Graf has my money for whenever Quality Cartridge makes another run of brass. In the meanwhile, I'll use the once-fired stuff I've got. I want to find a bullet caster that sells a .352 RN 180 grain bullet. 
  

Too bad Lee doesn't seem to make a mould for this one, would probably cost less than a handful of commercial cast bullets. Someone we know would probably use any overruns we may have.

Mike

steve004 said

kevindpm61 said
That was a great read Steve. Hard to imagine an 11 year-old (or even a 20 something year-old) from today being out in the woods on his own like that.
  

It is hard to imagine, but it was a very different world 120 years ago.
  

On the same token, it was a simpler world, and less things to consume you're time. At 20 something years old you were a man with a lot under you're belt already. IMO! You weren't coddled and babied as a child either, but raised to respect things and elders and taught things in the wild and to defend yourself in most cases.

I guess I have an easier time understanding it than some.

Tony

kevindpm61 said
That was a great read Steve. Hard to imagine an 11 year-old (or even a 20 something year-old) from today being out in the woods on his own like that.
  

It is hard to imagine, but it was a very different world 120 years ago.

A great Story, and the link works fine.

Thanks for posting.

Tony

My 1910 .401 throws spent cases to 3 oclock and only about a foot away. 4227 is the best powder there as well. 2400 a distant second. I found some brass but make my own out of 7.62 x 39 brass. After the first firing they are almost identical in every aspect to actual .401 brass. I have to open up the AK brass with a tapered punch and fire form them. Id say the recoil on the .401 is about like a 12 guage. Mine came with an original peep sight on the tang but I removed it. Just use iron sights. 

They are fun guns to shoot. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have. 

Does anyone else miss the old days?  I first read this story many years ago.  It might explain why I have more .38-40's than .44-40's.

I hope this link works:

https://www.outdoorlife.com/hunting/boy-spends-thanksgiving-woods/