Lesson learned today, SLUG YOUR BARREL! Tips for newbies.

[madsenshooter]

Make absolutely sure you never use the "mold" for your slugs for reloading. The temp of the molten alloy has likely annealed the head of the case which can make things go Ka-boom.

[Harter66]

That's the 1st time I've seen casting a slug in a case suggested. Its too easy and makes a self aligning slug too.

I've never had 1 lead that was properly sized, I have had boolits properly sized that were too hard lead and some that were too soft for that pistol. While they didn't lead in a 40 they did key hole . Harder cured that .

[Wayne Smith]

One caution, the slug will only be tapered if the case is. Many are straight and it won't work for my 44-40 or my 32-20 or any other necked case.

[mdi]

Don't pound it's more of a tap tap tap

I prefer a large hammer (3 lb. dead blow) to get more of a "push, push, push"...

[Harter66]

Good point about the straight wall vs ''ACP'' type . I would tend to think the average joe would think about pouring a slug mould in a 5.7FN in its case,but lately I've noticed the need to state the obvious more and more.

I had a rifle that slugged very tight for a 30 cal once . After a lot of scrubbing and a reslug I was shocked when the slug practicaly dropped through the middle 12'' of bbl then needed a bump to clear into the chamber.

[RacingRedGT]

One caution, the slug will only be tapered if the case is. Many are straight and it won't work for my 44-40 or my 32-20 or any other necked case.

My .40s, 45acp and 44mag cases all made slugs with tapered ends.

[tazman]

My .40s, 45acp and 44mag cases all made slugs with tapered ends.

My 38 special and 9mm did as well.

[Polecat]

Hey those molds cast just right for PC'ing It adds .001 to the boolit which makes it .002 larger should be just right

[RacingRedGT]

Hey those molds cast just right for PC'ing It adds .001 to the boolit which makes it .002 larger should be just right

It has crossed my mind.

[Sweetpea]

Make absolutely sure you never use the "mold" for your slugs for reloading. The temp of the molten alloy has likely annealed the head of the case which can make things go Ka-boom.

Any time I have done this, I have used nickle cases, and set them aside.

It would also be very easy to mark the rim with a file.

[Pinsnscrews]

Rolls of Heat Shrink Tubing can be easily found at HF/Fry's Electronics and sometimes Radio Shack (they usually carry the pre-cut in the store rather than the rolls). Cut to length, slip over the rod to be used, then heat until it shrinks tight to the rod. If you have several different rods, you can color code them. I have also seen the tip of using a Gas Check at the tip of the rod. This too can be put in place before the heat shrink tubing, just make sure the tubing extends past the gas check for a trim to fit.