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So just for kicks I bought a bullet casting mold for .45 to make some cast bullets for my muzzle loader and possibly my .45 acp pistol.
For my muzzle loader they will be in crush rib black sabots shot out of a CVA wolf .50 cal.
My question is do I really, absolutely need a lead tester? Particularly since they will never engage the rifling. Can I just use my thumb nail?
Also, I just purchased about 10 pounds of old fishing weights is this a decent source?
Finally, if I use this type of lead for .45 acp in a powder puff load will it be ok?
I don't have a melt pot I do have a cast iron pot and plan to use a hotplate outside to melt the lead and a ladle to pour the lead. I do have a wooden "hammer" for the mold.
My uncle used to make fishing weights by melting lead. He would made a small hole in the dirt. He would then cut up a coat hanger and make a loop with a long tail. The tail went in the hole with the loop above ground level. As soon as the lead was molten he would pour it into the holes and wait for them to cool. Once cool he would pull them out of the dirt by the loop and clip the straight side of the coat hanger piece he stuck in the hole. Viola a cheap fishing weight.
Back to projectile casting... I just can't help but feel like they did not have all this crap in the old days when casting bullets was the ONLY way.
For my muzzle loader they will be in crush rib black sabots shot out of a CVA wolf .50 cal.
My question is do I really, absolutely need a lead tester? Particularly since they will never engage the rifling. Can I just use my thumb nail?
Also, I just purchased about 10 pounds of old fishing weights is this a decent source?
Finally, if I use this type of lead for .45 acp in a powder puff load will it be ok?
I don't have a melt pot I do have a cast iron pot and plan to use a hotplate outside to melt the lead and a ladle to pour the lead. I do have a wooden "hammer" for the mold.
My uncle used to make fishing weights by melting lead. He would made a small hole in the dirt. He would then cut up a coat hanger and make a loop with a long tail. The tail went in the hole with the loop above ground level. As soon as the lead was molten he would pour it into the holes and wait for them to cool. Once cool he would pull them out of the dirt by the loop and clip the straight side of the coat hanger piece he stuck in the hole. Viola a cheap fishing weight.
Back to projectile casting... I just can't help but feel like they did not have all this crap in the old days when casting bullets was the ONLY way.
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