Not many guys cast bullets anymore, or seem
to be overly adventurous. But I noted LEE has introduced a really nifty 147 gr. .35 cal. pistol mould. It is a truncated flat tip. Not only would it be a dandy in .38 or .357 but it might also be good for 9mm luger if the flat base does not get into the case taper. Most 147 gr. bullets are "boattailed" for that reason. My RCBS is.
https://www.titanreloading.com/product/lee-6-cav-mold-356-147-tc/
They also have a really neat looking 95 gr. flat point that would do great in .380 ACP IF it feeds. Still a dandy light bullet .38 Special load as well.
Lastly I saw they are making a short run of .41 Swiss moulds for a .418" 320 gr. plain base flat point. Obviously way heavy for .41 handguns, none the less, I have a like bullet I've cast and shot to 1200 fps in .41 Special cases that gave incredible penetration. It mimic's many old BP rifle loads of the day. No trouble at all sizing to .410-.411 with a push through sizer. Would do well in .405 Win. as well. I tried them in .410 WSL but it is a little spooky, being a blow back action, no hot-rodding. But cheap fun.
I quit casting 20-plus years ago
Mostly when life got in the way and time became far more valuable. With the advent of the internet, it was easy to go online and just order what I wanted and then spend my time loading and not casting then loading. Shooting became even more enjoyable. Now sadly cast bullet manufacturers are going by the wayside. Environmental regulations never helped. I still have some of my equipment. Gave a lot of it away. Honestly, I don't miss it. It is truly a labor of dirty love.
Were it not that I do obscure calibers…
I often get more of a challenge than I bargain for. But the convenience of making what I want is nice. I likely have close to 100 molds. A bunch I altered and modified too. I’m certain no one else has taken a LEE .50 REAL muzzleloader bullet and altered it for a gas check. To shoot from a .510 GNR revolver! I made both 200 and 250 gr. versions. I’ve done some naughty things.
But what fun in the process. Money and time used to be a struggle, they still are, but in reverse order! Just like you mentioned.
I cast bullets because ...
1. my Daddy started me when I was about 10 years old. It's now an old very therapist habit
2. I can make what can't be bought
3. Even if it becomes illegal to buy bullets or have them I have a way around it
4. Not many people today have learned how
5. There is always something to experiment with... Like a 560 gr. .720" diameter ball for the 12 gauge .. or a 450 gr. flat slug for the 12 gauge .. or a 210 gr. heel bullet for the .44 Special that eliminates the need for seating and crimping .. or .... 
I heard tell....
a 58 cal. hollow base Mini-ball like the civil war era fits right into a 12 ga. plastic wad. Not tried it yet.
I found a sweet 550 gr. .510" mould for the .500 Nitro Express that casts a longer ojive round nose that sort of mimic's the original profile. Since jacketed projectiles are $2-10 each (!) I think the $100 investment might not be so bad. The RN profile is pretty sorry for game performance, the LEE 500 gr. FN is far superior. But it just doesn't look very British.
![[image]](images/uploaded/2025090821092368bf460354c71.jpg)
Not only have I shot this from the .510 GNR, Linebaugh, .500 Nitro, Max. 500, and .50 AK, but I modded it. My favored bullet for the .510 GNR revolver as a 370 gr. GCFN.
![[image]](images/uploaded/2025090821031468bf449217a4f.jpg)
If Gary ever makes me another Encore barrel it will be a 12-16" braked .50 AK to shoot everything in that line! Bullets will never be an issue.