So what about scrap lead? Well it's certainly cheap, but
the quality is variable. In particular the hardness of
any particular scrap will be impossible to determine, so
bullets will be inconsistent from one batch to the next.
This isn't too important for revolver bullets, but in
Minie rifles where the bullet has to expand
consistently, and in single-shot pistols where you have
to ram the ball the full length of the barrel, it can be
a real pain.
Equipment
So what do you need to start casting? Well some means of
melting lead is a prerequisite, and a bullet mould wouldn't
go amiss. You can melt lead using a plumbers gas ring, but
unless you get a really powerful one, the heat generated is
barely adequate. The convenient option is to buy a small
furnace from either Lee, Lyman or RCBS. Lee stuff is widely
available in the UK, and is generally cheaper than the
others - but as in everything else, you get what you pay
for.
