Casting my own bullets

[gungate]

I want to give casting bullets a whirl. I have found a 6 shot mold for 50 caliber but only a 2 shot for 36 caliber. Anyone ever see 6 shot (or more) mold for 36?

Also I was thinking of mining lead from an old car battery. Not sure that is a good idea. I found a YouTube video where it looks like a major mess. I have seen lead ingots for sale around $2-$3/lb shipped is that about right? I was going to get a cheap lead smelter from Amazon.

Is lead like this ready to cast just melt and pour?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/334162766867

Is it easier to make conical bullets? My preference is balls but seems there is more finishing work on those.

 

[Todd S]

Smelting battery plates can be dangerous. Some of the heavy metals in the plates are nasty. Make sure you smelt outside and stay upwind.

Those ingots should be GTG. It's soft lead though. If you need to harden it, you will have to add tin and antimony. And of course it will always be 3% antimony.

 

[King Chicken]

I would do everything in your power to dissuade yourself from opening a battery up. It is messy in a scary way. How much lead do you need?

 

[Trigger Time]

If you are just getting into casting you might be better off starting with a single or two bullet mold.
You need to get used to keeping the temperature of the mold just right.
With a bottom pour pot and a duel mold you can crank out some bullets pretty fast

 

[Todd S]

This is an invaluable resource for all things casting related.

https://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/

 

[gungate]

Smelting battery plates can be dangerous. Some of the heavy metals in the plates are nasty. Make sure you smelt outside and stay upwind.

Those ingots should be GTG. It's soft lead though. If you need to harden it, you will have to add tin and antimony. And of course it will always be 3% antimony.

When would I need to make my own alloy? These are for black-powder guns. What if I use without hardening? Does quenching the bullets in water harden them?

Yeah the battery idea is out. I'll buy clean lead.

 

[Todd S]

Sorry, I didn't pick up that it was strictly for BP. You won't need to make an alloy. I use the softest lead I can get. Usually old roofing lead. If/when you start casting for centerfire, you will definitely need harder lead.

 

[Triggerfinger]

Get in touch with Brickman301, he has soft lead for sale most of the time. A softer lead is what you want for shooting black powder bullets.

Best to start with a one or two gang bullet mold to keep bullets looking like bullets and maintain same weights.

 

[JohnnyE]

OP, I think he may still sell lead for a good price. The lead passed the artist's pencil test, IIRC coming in at a 4 brinell hardness, meaning pure lead, which is working wonderfully in my 1862 Colt Pocket Navy gen 2. We met up in Frederick a few years back to do the deal. Paging @Brickman301 to find out.

 

[John from MD]

I want to give casting bullets a whirl. I have found a 6 shot mold for 50 caliber but only a 2 shot for 36 caliber. Anyone ever see 6 shot (or more) mold for 36?

Also I was thinking of mining lead from an old car battery. Not sure that is a good idea. I found a YouTube video where it looks like a major mess. I have seen lead ingots for sale around $2-$3/lb shipped is that about right? I was going to get a cheap lead smelter from Amazon.

Is lead like this ready to cast just melt and pour?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/334162766867

Is it easier to make conical bullets? My preference is balls but seems there is more finishing work on those.

Track of the wolf carries six cavity molds made by Lee.

Track of the Wolf - Muzzle Loading & Black Powder Guns Kits, Parts, Accoutrements, Rendezvous Gear & Primitive Americana

Muzzle Loading & Black Powder Guns Kits, Parts, Accoutrements, Rendezvous Gear & Primitive Americana.

www.trackofthewolf.com

As previously mentioned, don't use battery lead, it has arsenic in it. Use roofing lead, shower pan lead or lead from an Xray department.

 

[The Saint]

I've never used gang molds, and buy at least a decent lead pot. I use a simple Lee 4lb top dipper, and it's all I need. Do not cheap out when it comes to casting, though...at least buy brand name tools. Lee molds are cheap and they work fantastic....steel blocks are more consistent but often 3-4X the price.

 

[Brickman301]

Get in touch with Brickman301, he has soft lead for sale most of the time. A softer lead is what you want for shooting black powder bullets.

Best to start with a one or two gang bullet mold to keep bullets looking like bullets and maintain same weights.

OP, I think he may still sell lead for a good price. The lead passed the artist's pencil test, IIRC coming in at a 4 brinell hardness, meaning pure lead, which is working wonderfully in my 1862 Colt Pocket Navy gen 2. We met up in Frederick a few years back to do the deal. Paging @Brickman301 to find out.

Thank you guys!
Gungate, send me a PM. I have pure lead ingots for sale, which are perfect for muzzleloaders. I’m located in Frederick. Round balls are easier to cast, but conicals aren’t hard to cast either.

 

[wilcam47]

Dont forget antimony

 

[JohnnyE]

Dont forget antimony

It takes two weeks to acquire that.

 

[Brickman301]

When would I need to make my own alloy? These are for black-powder guns. What if I use without hardening? Does quenching the bullets in water harden them?

Yeah the battery idea is out. I'll buy clean lead.

Pure or nearly pure lead cannot be hardened by water quenching. It takes some antimony in the mix, for water quenching to work. For muzzleloaders you want the softest lead you can get.

 

[Todd S]

I found this PDF called From Ingot to Target. This is a great write-up on casting boolits.

 

[Archeryrob]

Use pure lead and some of these guys are just joking around. Brickman will be cheaper as no shipping. Roto Metals can supply anything you need also.

Get a lee 10 pot and pour ladle if you won't do it a lot. If you do it a lot, get the Lee 20# bottom pour pot.

20# pot https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1262645810?pid=645810

 

[JohnnyE]

Thank you guys!
Gungate, send me a PM. I have pure lead ingots for sale, which are perfect for muzzleloaders. I’m located in Frederick. Round balls are easier to cast, but conicals aren’t hard to cast either.

Glad you're still around and in business! I may be looking for some more lead soon.

i just got started casting when I bought lead from you a few years back. .36 cal ball and conical are both easy to do. I don't have a bottom pour pot, and instead got a bottom pour casting ladle from RotoMetals, so I've never had a problem with slag messing up my casts.

 

[JohnnyE]

I found this PDF called From Ingot to Target. This is a great write-up on casting boolits.

Holy crap, a 182 page doc on casting!

 

[Todd S]

Don't forget the Lyman Cast Bullet handbook.

https://www.lymanproducts.com/cast-bullet-handbook-4th-edition