I am looking into casting bullets for my 45-70. What do I need to get started? I saw that lyman makes a combo pack of a pot and a sizing press. Do have to size?

I'd start with a Lyman reloading manual. If you also load jacketed rounds, get their standard manual. Lyman being a mold and other casting equipment supplier includes cast data in their manual--unlike most of the manuals by jacketed bullet makers. Most likely you'll be using wheel weights or some such which need to be melted down into ingots. Lots of smoke so this is done outdoors--A Coleman stove and a cast iron pot works fine. This will go into ingots to make it convenient when you do the actual casting. You can read tons of posts on what to ues for an ingot mold. I'm not too creative---buy an ingot mold and be done with it--they last a lifetime. How to get the melt from pot to ingot mold---I use a small cast iron pot that I can easily handle with pliers and just pour it in. Some use a ladle--big ladle not the bullet casting ladle. After ingots you cast the bullet--personally I like RCBS molds but many cut a few $$ and buy Lees. Then you will be lubing. Some pan lube,some liquid alox and some use a sizer/luber like Lyman or RCBS. I use the RCBS---they are only a few more bucks than a Lyman and you get the RCBS warranty. Oh I forgot----when you cast you have to melt the ingots---I have had my Lee bottom pour several years and like it----they are a lot cheaper than the RCBS. I have never used liquid lube where you dont size.

Carpetman offers up good advice. I shoot sized and gaschecked rifle bullets for the faster velocity. Pistol I shoot sized and checked in my magnum loads and uncheckedin some of my mild loads. My 45 acp likes the Lee tumble lube 200 swc with the alox and that saves a couple of steps. First get the books and study up its a neat part of the hobby.

personaly id consider going with your thoughts on the lyman master casting set up. Its got about everything you need except for a mold a sizing die and top punch. Its a great way to start and see if your going to like to cast. If so then maybe someday you can upgrade to a good bottom pour pot.

I'd buy a good 20lb pot off the get-go. It will have a good resale value if you decide casting is not for you. I run a couple of them, and would like to get a waage pot from momma for our anniversary this summer.

Rich
Buff Killer