Barrel $ Throat Slugs

[alamogunr]

I know this is not a low $ solution to obtaining the slugs needed for determining barrel and throat dimensions, but has anyone tried drilling a blank mold for various size slugs? Per the following link:

http://www.barlowstackle.com/Blank-Mold-P327.aspx

The molds are fairly pricey considering that there is little or no machining on them. I've never tried drilling a piece of wood or other material to cast slugs. What size drills work best for various calibers?

I don't know why my computer is inserting a dollar sign instead of ampersand.

John
W.TN

[Calamity Jake]

Just cast with soft lead in the mold intended for the gun then use them to slug with, you need to upset the slug in the bore anyway to get a true indication of size.

[mooman76]

I have one I picked up here used for cheap. Keep watching or ask in the WTB section. I mostly been using RB moulds for black powder. You just need a slug slightly larger than you barrel caliber to work. I find small RBs work best because they are easier to push through than a boolit because of less barring surface.

[nanuk]

how about just drilling a series of holes increasing in size a bit, make them, say 1.25" deep.

fill a fired cartridge to just below the mouth, pour the "Moulds" to about 1" with lead

When cool, whack the "Slugs" out, and drop the cartridge in the chamber and close 'er up.

then drop into the bore, a slug that is just undersized. (oiled a bit)

then with a deadblow and a brass, copper, aluminum rod, (perhaps tape wrapped) pound the slug till it rings.

carefully remove from breech end

it should fill out the mouth, end of chamber, throat, leade and initial rifling...

disclaimer: I've not tried this, but have read several who have.

[hiram]

I made a slug mold. I got a piece of steel about 1.5x1.5x4. drilled different size holes. drilled all the way through with a small drill so I can drop a nail in the the mold to push the bullet out. If you want a pic, just ask, ---I'll post it.

[bhn22]

Why not use egg-shaped fishing sinkers? That's what most guys do. They're like $5.00/pack at the sporting goods store.

[Jim]

http://www.do-itmolds.com/prodmolds.aspx?c=69

Item no. EG-14-48

[Jim]

double post

[nanuk]

hiram: I would like to see that.

how do you seal the small hole for pouring?

thanks

'nuk

[JIMinPHX]

I've drilled holes in a 2 x 4 to make up barrel slugs before. It ain't quite "pretty", but it works.

I've also taken slightly undersized boolits & hammered them in with a pointed rod. That spreads them & makes them fill the grooves of the barrel.

[nanuk]

Jim, the wood holds up enough while the slug hardens?

THAT is an Easy option!

oh.. do you use hardwood, or does anything work?

[dromia]

I've drilled holes in a 2 x 4 to make up barrel slugs before. It ain't quite "pretty", but it works.

Thats what I do just drill what ever scrap I have around, its good enough for pit work.

[hiram]

The actual mold is 1.25X1.25X3.5"

slug holes are several thousandths over groove diameter.

[nanuk]

one or two pictures is worth a thousand words

thanks Hiram

[markinalpine]

I made a slug mold. I got a piece of steel about 1.5x1.5x4. drilled different size holes. drilled all the way through with a small drill so I can drop a nail in the the mold to push the bullet out. If you want a pic, just ask, ---I'll post it.

Thanks, Hiram.
And Merry Christmas,
Mark

[PacMan]

Here is another option.
I drilled out the complete primer pocket and inserted a flat head screw. Used a fired unsized case with mouth slightly flared.
I tried the short ones but they are a little to small.The longer ones are big enough to slug barrel and throats. Also clean the inside of the case real well. As you can see they have a taper to them which makes starting easy.

[piwo]

Hiram's mould is fantastic! When I slugged my .54 this week i took a .690 roundball, threaded it with a worm on a small cleaning rod, then pounded it with a hammer while rolling it on the anvil of my work bench vise. In the end it looked exactly like those that came out of the mold, but DARN, that mould is the ticket!!

Go Hiram!

[JIMinPHX]

I like Hiram's idea of using nails to drive the slugs out of the mold.

Very clever.

[bruce381]

I saw on you tube and tried this it works great. use a fired brass case (of caliber you want to slug) as a mold melt lead in and use inertia hammer to get slug out it has a taper at the case head side and works real well and No money or time required.

[nanuk]

I saw on you tube and tried this it works great. use a fired brass case (of caliber you want to slug) as a mold melt lead in and use inertia hammer to get slug out it has a taper at the case head side and works real well and No money or time required.

how hard would you have to beat on an inertial puller to get the slug out of a 30-06?