Had posted this on cast bullets forum.
Thought I might also get input from reloading folks.
rje

Own a cast bullet company that was doing major production on the east coast in 2010-2018. Combination of a major spring storm destroying machinery and Maryland environmental agencies caused me to shut it down. Considered restarting in 2021...but could not find teachable talent to man the casting and sizing machines.

Not being a fan of powder coating, but sensing a lot of new reloaders starting the sport. Would appreciate thoughts on viability of renewing efforts. Political environment is better, shipping costs worse.....

I started off reloading and casting bullets, in 1968, in WV. Wyoming County. The local gas station would give me wheel weights. In high school. But now, young guys do not reload, nor do they cast bullets. And the ones that do, all have autos and only want jacketed bullets.
The market might be past its prime. This is not investment advice.....

In the past I have cast my own bullets and hunted and shot targets with them.

The problem today, I think is when I go to the rifle range (which is quite often) I rarely see a rifle that that anyone is shooting that is capable of shooting or anyone wanting to shoot cast bullets in.

They are all "BLACK RIFLES" or rifles that want to shoot metal plates 25 miles away. Rarely any hunting rifles seen even just before deer season.

I think that is something to consider. Simply-----Is there a market for them in this day and age?

Hip

There's an article/story in the latest Handloader Mag on Rimrock Bullets. They are not a small potato.

What was your company ?

quote:

Originally posted by rcraig:
There's an article/story in the latest Handloader Mag on Rimrock Bullets. They are not a small potato.

What was your company ?

Midatlantic Bullets

Right, Hip; and here, they all now use the black plastic rifles in 350 Legend for deer. No recoil and able to blast into the brush for them. Wood stocked rifles? Don't see them any more. Rarely. Even old guys bring the ARs out. 50 yards is all they shoot. And reload? No.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Right, Hip; and here, they all now use the black plastic rifles in 350 Legend for deer. No recoil and able to blast into the brush for them. Wood stocked rifles? Don't see them any more. Rarely. Even old guys bring the ARs out. 50 yards is all they shoot. And reload? No.

90% of all cast bullets we produced were for handguns. 9MM, 10mm and 38 caliber specifically. The perspective I was hearing regularly in those days was 20 cents a tip could be brought down to 8-9 cents. similarly much less barrel wear and tear.

So If we did start up today I would think the rifle folks are secondary as to our focus.
thanks
rje

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/forum.php
Give these members you post. Someone there will be able to help faster.
Rob
Displaced Glen Burn-out.

Geez… I still cast my own rifle and pistol/revolver bullets and actually Hunt with them too. Oh,… and I am past my prime and don’t own any black rifles.

Around this neck of the woods the one thing that has been on the shelves @ Sportsmans warehouse through the past several years of component shortages are boxes of "Berrys bullets" (cast bullets). They have gone to either classic cast lead or powder coated. I think it would be futile to try to sell cast bullets without offering PC as well, its become too popular.
There is still a market for reloading components and people like more affordable options. Its just harder to be profitable.

Anyone remember American Bullets? They started out with cast bullets, then went to jacketed bullets.

rje,

If you do decide to go ahead with this-----GOOD LUCK!

Hip

Not to be a smartass but it is a sign of the times that when you post this originally in the cast bullet forums you anticipate such low traffic that you cross post to the reloading forum.

I used to shoot a lot of cast bullets in 45 and 40 cal pistols for competition but I switched over years ago to plated bullets just to save on the cleaning time. I still have bulk boxes of lead bullets that I will probably never load.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
Not to be a smartass but it is a sign of the times that when you post this originally in the cast bullet forums you anticipate such low traffic that you cross post to the reloading forum.

I used to shoot a lot of cast bullets in 45 and 40 cal pistols for competition but I switched over years ago to plated bullets just to save on the cleaning time. I still have bulk boxes of lead bullets that I will probably never load.

Am surprised by the lack of reads and postings.
I appreciate your comment.

If you want to get back in to it, quite a few folks still use powder coated bullets in pistols for USPSA/IDPA in this area.

Its my understanding that shipping costs are a major issue with handgun bullets and thus you might well be able to get a regional business built up again, but margins are likely to be tight.

The only places I see old fashioned cast bullets used with any regularity are Cowboy action shooting and maybe some older folks plinking.

Frankly with the gun games, the amount of smoke you get from traditional bullet lubes in the summer (when the gun games are played here) is why folks went to powder coated bullets. Acme is a pretty big player locally (they are from WI) and while they do have some uncoated bullets available, all you see people buying (again, except for the CAS guys) is powder coat. Even the home casters here powder coat...

The bullet makers here powder coat using a liquid product made by Hitec. It’s tipped into cement mixers along with the bullets.

Probably a lot less handling compared to applying wax based lubes.

Great Points - thanks for the perspectives.

Does the US still have a lead smelter?

quote:

Originally posted by rje:
Great Points - thanks for the perspectives.

No, the last one Doe Run closed. God forbid we have WW3, we'll be caught with our pants down.