Post by: SmokepoleJR on January 16, 2011, 05:00:46 PM
It stinks when you're making them, but it's easy to make and saves money. Can't wait to try them out!
Post by: carpsniperg2 on January 16, 2011, 05:08:49 PM
Post by: SmokepoleJR on January 16, 2011, 05:11:49 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on January 16, 2011, 05:14:16 PM
Post by: Whitelightning on January 16, 2011, 06:24:19 PM
Post by: ML_Hunter on January 16, 2011, 06:39:16 PM
Post by: SmokepoleJR on January 16, 2011, 08:52:58 PM
Now you need to make some bullet lube, google bullet lube there are many recipes for bullet lube out there. Also Wheel weights are not pure lead they are usually an alloy your bullets being real shiny can mean they are harder than you may want. Recover some and decide on how well they work. You are going to have a blast with your new hobby. Enjoy!!!you're very right we had slight trouble with them. But you can skim the other alloys off the top and it works
just fine :)
Post by: SmokepoleJR on January 16, 2011, 08:55:39 PM
When using the bullet mold, after every 5 rounds you make, let the mold cool. Your mold can expand making the bullets a little larger and tough to fit in your bore. A few Friends and I tried it and found this as an issue, we decided to invest in two more molds and it quickly solved the problem. :twocents: they are a blast to shoot and i'm sure you'll enjoy it!! I use them mainly for shooting at the range, I'm sighted in and hunt with the TMZ bullets...I wonder If i can make an all Copper Bullet ??? :dunno:I'm not sure if you could make a copper bullet. :dunno: but it will probably be harder to melt. I'll look into it.
Post by: Special T on January 16, 2011, 09:13:33 PM
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on January 16, 2011, 09:31:43 PM
Post by: Smokepole on January 17, 2011, 09:58:34 AM
Be aware that blackpowder bullets are to be made of pure soft lead ONLY! Wheel weights are too hard for BP bullets. Guys who cast bullets add wheel weights to soft lead to make it harder for smokeless powder loads. Saw a kid a while back who put a jacketed .45 bullet into a .45 cal. muzzle loader "for better accuracy" and the gun blew up in his face. He wasn't even wearing safety glasses, or glasses of any kind, and if a piece of shrapnel had been 1/2 inch higher, he'd have lost his right eye! You may get away with using hard lead muzzy bullets--then again you might not.
Thanks for the info. Some of the wheel weights we tried floated to the top. Must be made of some other metal. We ended up using mostly lead fishing weights, with a little wheel weight material mixed in. I'm hoping they are soft enough . We'll try cutting a few in half with a knife to check them.
One of our friends is a retired fisherman, and he has piles of beaded lead chain and lead line to give us. He said he has plenty.
Thanks for the tips.
Post by: Smokepole on January 17, 2011, 10:21:29 AM
Heredoggy, thanks for the advice. I would shoot them in sabots, but they are full 50 cal. Maybe if it quits raining we can do up another batch of pure lead reals.
Post by: ML_Hunter on January 17, 2011, 08:02:14 PM
When using the bullet mold, after every 5 rounds you make, let the mold cool. Your mold can expand making the bullets a little larger and tough to fit in your bore. A few Friends and I tried it and found this as an issue, we decided to invest in two more molds and it quickly solved the problem. :twocents: they are a blast to shoot and i'm sure you'll enjoy it!! I use them mainly for shooting at the range, I'm sighted in and hunt with the TMZ bullets...I wonder If i can make an all Copper Bullet ??? :dunno:I'm not sure if you could make a copper bullet. :dunno: but it will probably be harder to melt. I'll look into it.
The Copper idea was purely a joke! :). The bullet would have to be hollow point and they would need to expand propperly. I would really not recomend it :). Hopfully you guys can have a few days of decent weather and make more bullets. Casting your own bullets is fun and really cuts down on the cost at the range. Enjoy!
Post by: Smokepole on January 17, 2011, 08:34:36 PM
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on January 17, 2011, 08:37:58 PM
Tried cutting them with a knife, and we decided not to shoot them. Gonna go get some lead line and start over.I'm relieved that you took my advice. I was concerned that you might think I was full of B.S. If you know anyone that casts bullets for modern cartridges you migt be able to sell the hard lead to him, or trade it for soft lead. Good luck!
Heredoggy, thanks for the advice. I would shoot them in sabots, but they are full 50 cal. Maybe if it quits raining we can do up another batch of pure lead reals.
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on January 17, 2011, 09:04:38 PM
For most lead bullet shooting you want bullets with a brinnel hardness of at least 14 to avoid leading your barrel. Alloy bullets of lead/tin/antimony will be harder. Yes, the type of lube used can also determine the amount of leading you'll experience. Size/diameter of the bullet/clearance to the bore/lands also determines leading. Lead wheel weights as half of a 50/50 mix with pure lead fishing weights would be right around 12 or so. For velocities of 1200 to 1800fps those shouldn't lead your barrel at all.
As for allowing your mold to cool... NUTZ! No..
I've been pouring lead for 25 years. I always preheat my molds and keep them warm throughout my pouring session. Hundreds of bullets at a time. Having your lead and mold at a warm temperature allows the mold to fill out completely resulting in more uniform pours. Your lead should be 730-800 degrees. Allowing your mold to cool between pouring, will get you variations in your bullets, which will then give you a different poi for given loads of powder. To get your bullets all the same size, (diameter), You use a bullet sizer die. They can be had from Lee that screw into your rifle loading press, or you can buy a lead bullet lubri-sizer. There are many ways to lube your bullets too. Read/inquire at the website I listed.
Your bullets look a bit shiny, so I figure your mold is a bit cool. Any ripples in the lead or rounded edges of the bullet where the mold has sharp edges, also indicate a cool mold. Your bullets should be bit on the 'frosted' side
Pouring your own bullets is a great hobby. But there is a little more to it than just melting some fishing weights. Saving money by pouring lead is great but there's also the added benefit of creating an accurate bullet.
-Steve
Post by: ElkTipper on February 01, 2011, 11:16:55 AM
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/ (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/)
Pretty cool forum!
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on February 01, 2011, 03:54:41 PM
Thanx. (I've corrected my post.)
-Steve
Post by: Smokepole on February 01, 2011, 04:40:06 PM
Post by: Hangfire on February 01, 2011, 08:58:21 PM
Post by: Smokepole on February 02, 2011, 07:55:08 AM
Post by: Smokepole on February 20, 2011, 09:14:56 PM
Next time we go out with a proper bench and some sand bags. Try some out to 150 yards. I think we're gonna like this new mold.
Post by: Jason on February 21, 2011, 08:15:00 AM
Post by: Smokepole on February 21, 2011, 05:53:32 PM
Post by: BK on February 27, 2011, 06:52:20 PM