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Thread: zinc shot/balls

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy

    lunicy's Avatar
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    zinc shot/balls

    I know zinc won't make good boolits. And I keep it out of my lead. But being as frugal as I am, can you melt zinc and make shot, or roundballs for a ML? Anything else?
    Come and take them, Boolits first.
    Zombie hunter, Lic# 3006

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master

    Wayne Smith's Avatar
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    Not roundballs for muzzleloading rifle, those need to take the rifling. Smothbore, maybe.
    Wayne the Shrink

    There is no 'right' that requires me to work for you or you to work for me!

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Zinc will make bullets that are very hard and about 60% of the weight of lead. The guys that shoot cannons use it for projectiles also.

    Zinc is so hard that it needs to be the proper size to fit the bore, not like lead that can be oversized.

    I am going to experiment with zinc when I get the time.

  4. #4
    Beekeeper
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    I have a question on the zink/babbit use in boolits?
    If you are Paper Patching can zink/babbit be used successfully?
    Since you do not have to worry about it upsetting into the rifling it sems to me to be a viable use for it.

    An inquireing mind wants to know!!


    Jim

  5. #5
    Boolit Master SPRINGFIELDM141972's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Beekeeper View Post
    I have a question on the zink/Babbitt use in boolits?
    If you are Paper Patching can zink/babbit be used successfully?
    Since you do not have to worry about it upsetting into the rifling it sems to me to be a viable use for it.

    An inquireing mind wants to know!!


    Jim

    Don't confuse Zinc with Babbitt. Although you will see allot of discussion as to the make up of Babbitt and its uses, I have found that I can use it in about the same ratios as the all mighty Linotype to harden my alloys. Zinc will destroy your cast-ability, Babbitt has enhanced mine.

    Regards,
    Everett
    "There's a reason John Browning's middle name is Moses."

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master
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    I tried messin' with zinc a coupla' years back when I had the equipment to successfully melt and cast it. Believe you me, brother, I won't go there again!

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check