I am considering casting my own bullets but I have a few questions. I will start with 45acp, probably 200swc. I don't want to hunt down wheel weights and intend to just buy premade ingots of the proper Bhn. So, here's my questions: do I need to size after casting, will I have to worry about fluxing since I already have the proper mix of components in the ingots, is there any thing else I will need in addition too the following list?

Bullet mold (lee tumble lube style)
Lee melting pot
Lead ingots
Candle for smoking inside of mold
Wooden dowel or mallet for sprue cutting
Thermometer
Liquid Alox and container to tumble in

I've never done this before or even seen it done but I figure it can't be too difficult. If I do need to flux the mix how often do I do it or how can you tell when it needs to be done? I've read over the bullet casting section in my copy of Lee's ABCs of Reloading but is still left me with these questions. Thanks.

Don't use a candle for smoking the inside of a Lee mold. Wax will carry up from the flame and contaminate the mold surface and you'll have to clean and resmoke them. Just use wooden kitchen matches for smoking the molds.

Flux every time you add ingots to your melt pot.

Your right this is not to difficult and I sure enjoy shooting those inexpensive bullets.

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Bob from Idaho

My understanding of Lee TL bullets is that they do not need to be sized. Just lubricated with Lee Liquid Allox. Some prefer to lube, size, then lube again. Your call.

Yes, you will have to worry about fluxing. While your ingots may have the proper mix of components, that is no guarantee that they do not contain undesireable components that you don't want. In other words, there is no 100% pure casting alloy containing 0% contaminents. Few of us could afford such an alloy if it were available. As Bob advises, flux before casting and everytime you add ingots. That would be the minimum. I flux more often than that and still manage to rake up slag/dross out of my alloy. You would not want to shoot bullets containing these contaminents as they are lighter than the alloy and contribute to unbalanced bullets.

While your manual has taken you through the casting procedure, you will find that you still have a learning curve to master. This is something you have to do on your own as we all have. Don't be discouraged if your first bullets resemble raisins. With practice, you will be casting great bullets.