I was able to get my target goal of 600 .38 bullets cast and all the cartridges cleaned, primed, loaded, pressed, boxed and placed in storage. I even found some lead 158 grain bullets I picked up from somewhere and pressed out an extra 100 .357 magnum rounds as extra credit. Not sure where those bullets came from they were sort of a blunt nosed semi-hollow point but I figured since I had em why not?
12 boxes of 50 rounds fit almost perfectly in a 50 cal. ammo can with room for a small bag of desiccant beads in it as well. I really wanted to get another 1000 rounds of .223 pressed out this Winter but there just wasn't time.
Casting the bullets is what takes me the most time. I can only stand to do about 50 to 100 per sitting with my little two cavity molds. I really ought to look into upgrading to a six cavity mold but I just haven't gotten around to it.
I have also been experimenting with making my own bullet lube using beeswax, sunflower oil and a bit of motor oil. All I can say is it worked when I was running em through the sizing die but we will see. I also need to come up with a way of heating the bullets after the lube that doesn't include the oven and waxed paper. Not because it doesn't work but because that option wouldn't be available in a grid down situation. Perhaps a solar box akin to my wax melter would work but then I would be limited to Summer time lubing and casting the bullets is definitely a Winter duty.
Before finishing up the rounds this morning the first thing on my list was of course a Valentines Day present for my lovely Wife. I freaked her out when I called her to ask her show size and drove her so crazy trying to figure out what I got her she called me....MAHAHAHAHA!!
I told her I was going a different rout this year :)
What I did was buy her a pair of plaid mud boots. Ya I know everyone is like WTF is that romantic but she complains if I send her flowers or candy. She likes those orchid bulbs but I have worn that trick out. She actually liked em and I know she needed a pair because all she had were some low ankle mud boots. I was afraid it would put her in a bad mood but she was actually quite happy with them. I thought about getting a pair that would fit me and giving them to her but decided that would be stretching my luck :)
Now she can go slog around in the mud with me....
Keep Prepping Everyone!!!
You romantic devil, you! Actually, I would have been happy over the years if someone would have thought to give me practical gifts. Flowers fade. Candy winds up on the hips. I'd be pleased with mud boots.
ReplyDeleteVicki - She is wearing them around the house today LOL. I have no idea why.
DeleteI got my wife some mud boots last fall and she said it was the best money that I had spent in a long time, she was so happy to get them, go figure.
ReplyDeleteIf fixed home made corned beef has and cole slaw for supper and gave her a box of candy so what more could there be since she already has her boots?
Sf - The Wife was happy that she could wear them down to play with the sheep now. She likes to go in with the youngins and pet them.
DeleteI would love them!!!
ReplyDeleteLW - I was amazed but she did love them :) I was expecting disappointment.
DeleteSame thought process Preppy, although I have no idea what I am going to get The Ravishing Mrs. TB this year. She is not really a flower person (except for flowers in a garden) and chocolates...well, with kids we have plenty on a regular basis. I would get her more caramels from an Nunnery in Iowa which she really loves but she still has almost a full box from Christmas.
ReplyDeleteTB - I have found that if you can prove to them you gave it some thought they are usually happy. Just don't ever fall for the old "Don't get me anything" trap.
DeleteA lesson that I, too, have learned the hard way...
DeleteGreat idea on the boots.
ReplyDeleteI love getting my wife outside on the homestead. Most of the time she's barefoot in the kitchen.
David - She is wearing them in the kitchen today :)
DeleteThen again she is kinda goofball sometimes :)
Nothing says " I Love You" like mud boots. To really shock her , you should place long stem roses in them..
ReplyDeleteJuGM - That would have worked. Or in her case Orchid bulbs... she would have loved that.
Deleteoooooh JUGM is onto something with the long stem roses in the boots thing! PP - i hate to top your story but for the last few years, jam hasn't needed to get me any new mud boots...i still have my pink flowered ones for the spring/summer/fall...but in the winter, i wear socks and slippers and don't want to take them off before going outside so he just gives me his old mud boots as he goes through them like mad! that way, i step out on the porch in my socks and slippers, put his old mud boots on, some of which come up over my knees and then waddle around outside in the snow. it works perfectly!
ReplyDeletebut i am glad that your wife got some new mud boots. good job buddy! much love to you and yours always! your friend,
kymber
Kymber, you crack me up. Got those winter woodens ready yet?
DeleteSo you admit you waddle then?
DeletePP,
ReplyDeleteBoots!!! Great gift, you've been listening to your Sweet Wife :-)
After being married for a while, it pays for a man to listen to his wife when she talks about needing something.