Casting muzzle loader

[Mpape]

Brand new to lead casting. Got some wheel weights and made decoy anchors this fall.
Realized I was nearly out of bullets for my muzzle loader so I figured, I have lead why's not cast my own.
Here is where I need help. I have acces to wheel weights, some old lead shot(2&4), some old lead .38 swc ( from when granddad reloaded), and some sheet roofing lead. I have not dug into all of the hardness/ chemical make up that can be associated with this process. I'm using this strictly as a hunting load for my 50 cal Hawkins style rifle. Shooting 60 grains of powder 360 grain maxi ball. So the question is, which lead would you all suggest? One of the above choices, or a blend? If blended can you recommend a mix.

Thanks you in advance.

[P.K.]

Smelt the sheet lead.....Casting for a front stuffer always starts better with pure Pb. I'm biased and I'll start that way. If you want to cast for a front stuffer start with a REAL and work with it. A Real over 75 grains of Pyro will put meat on the table no questions asked.

Order a REAL mold in your grain wt. They rock and clean the bore on loading....Always a plus!

[P.K.]

Clairification(sp) A REAL Bullet by Lee means Rifiling Engraved At Loading.

[P.K.]

Oh and welcome out of lurker status, you got bit. Welcome to CastBoolits!

[Mpape]

Oh. Sorry. Also forgot to ask what lube would you recommend for the finished bullet? I would like one that is more like wax than grease, and would prefer commercially made one unless its really that easy to make my own. Thanks again.

[P.K.]

Oh. Sorry. Also forgot to ask what lube would you recommend for the finished bullet? I would like one that is more like wax than grease, and would prefer commercially made one unless its really that easy to make my own. Thanks again.

If you can get your hands on sticky wheel weights then making your own is going to cost you about $50.00 to get you slobberin' for a lifetime. The mold (grain weight up to you. For a .50 Cal. 250 works wonders for me.) will be about 20.00 bucks. Depending on the wheel shop your stickies will be about 20.00 also YMMV. The lube is Bore Butter, take a finger full and swab the boolit around the bands then stuff the thing over 75 gr. of Pyro or FFF.

Goes Boom and cuts nice holes in paper to boot!

Welcome aboard and good luck!

[eldoradolee]

Smelt the sheet lead.....Casting for a front stuffer always starts better with pure Pb. I'm biased and I'll start that way. If you want to cast for a front stuffer start with a REAL and work with it. A Real over 75 grains of Pyro will put meat on the table no questions asked.

Order a REAL mold in your grain wt. They rock and clean the bore on loading....Always a plus!

I agree 100% with P.K. Lee

[eldoradolee]

[QUOTE=Mpape;1442116]Oh. Sorry. Also forgot to ask what lube would you recommend for the finished bullet? I would like one that is more like wax than grease, and would prefer commercially made one unless its really that easy to make my own.

Get some Mobile One Synthic Berring grease.Best thing I have found yet.$5.99 a can at Wall Mart.Been using it for 3 years.Great stuff.Lee

[Defcon-One]

"Smelt the sheet lead....." and use it as is. It is almost pure lead which is what you want for a muzzle loader. It is even better than the stick-on WW lead.

No clue on the lube, but I'm certain that you could make something fairly firm based on bees wax and a bit of grease. Anybody have a magic mix for ML?


Could try this:

For many years I have used olive oil & beeswax in varying combinations (50-50 is the basic starting point) for all my BP shooting. Never has failed, tastes great, many other usages & is the ONLY lube my #1 wife will permit me to make & use in the house....

[waksupi]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=131698

Info for patch lube, I think Bore Butter is probably okay for elongated bullets, although some find it fouls the barrel.