Thanks for this. I have always wanted to get into loading but never had the time. Sounds like a good idea. Are the bullets you cast as accurate as the ‘store bought’ ones?
It depends on the application. For maximum accuracy non-jacketed bullets need to have a hardness that matches the amount of pressure you put behind them. Bullets that deform just the right amount going down the barrel actually perform better than store bought jacketed bullets.
It is difficult to make a non-jacketed cast bullet hard enough to match the pressures developed by a truly high powered cartridge. Although straight wheel weight alloy dropped into a bucket of water gives just about the right hardness for a 7.62x39 bullet. You can vary the hardness by by altering your alloy and/or heat treating. For cartridges with room for more powder such as .308, 762x54, and 30-06, you pretty much have to reduce the amount of powder or you will end up with poor performance and lead left in your barrel. I have a tool that measures the hardness of my bullets. There is a pretty wide range of pressures developed even in pistol cartridges.
Of course for maximum accuracy it is also good to sort your cast bullets by weight and inspect for casting defects.