Making a Big Boolit Mold

[ZebDeming]

I've been busy the past few days making a big boolit mold for a 20mm muzzleloader that I'm building.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee41/zebdeming/20mm/DSCN1368.jpg

I still need to do a little work on it, I need to cut ventlines, make a sprue cutter, and forge out some handles, but I'll cast a bullet in it anyways tomorrow to see what it'll look like and weigh. I'm going to make a die from a section of the barrel to press the finished boolits through to size and engrave the rifling for easier loading.
Here's a short video, describing the process of making a cutter and using it to cut the cavity out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90Vm9FxpA1Q

Thanks for watching folks

Zeb

[pincherpartner]

That's pretty slick. Thanks for sharing. It was also interesting to see the proof test of the barrel. The finished project should be very impressive.

[220swiftfn]

Um..............er....................uh.......... ......WOW!!!!!


Or maybe just OW!!!!!!



Dan

[phatman]

I can't wait to see the rifle.
It's gonna be BIG!!!!

Cheers, John

[hickoryhilldog]

Looks great

[ZebDeming]

Thanks a bunch guys, I really appreaciate the comments!!!
Melted some wheel weights today and poured them into the mold. I preheated the mold with a propane torch, first boolit out, was pretty wrinkled. I put a bit more heat into the mold and got this on the second try.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee41/zebdeming/20mm/DSCN1371.jpg

1750 grains of lead :) The diameter is a bit smaller than I wanted, so I'll wind up lapping the mold out to the required diameter, I only need to go a few thou yet to be on the money.
I'm hoping to pick up the wood for the stock either tomorrow or Saturday, the guy is a pretty good friend and has lots to pick from, I can probably talk him into letting me use his bandsaw to rough cut it. Thanks again for watching.

Zeb

[ohland]

You made a sort of false muzzle for the bullet... Do you breech seat it?

[JesterGrin_1]

Wait Wait don't tell me your neighbors cows are getting into the wife's Garden lol.

[ZebDeming]

It's not really a false muzzle, more of sizing die to press the finished bullet through. I doubt you could press it through by hand. You could a vise if it opened up far enough to squeze the bullet through the die. Once it's sized and the proper rifling engraved on the bullet, it muzzleloads fairly easy.
Jestergrin, no neighbor's cows,,,, yet, but you never can be too prepared for it :)

[johnly]

Just happen to have a nice 20mm M61 barrel in the garage. Now I'm inspired to bore a set of blocks for it.

John

[Frank46]

Nice work on the mold. How much powder did you use to proof your barrel?. Think you just built the world's first retina detaching firearm. Frank

[ZebDeming]

Frank, I used 1000 grains of 3f for a proof load, I'll never come anywhere near half that load :)

[Frank46]

Zeb, just about fell off the chair when I saw your proof test. You have any idea what the total weight will be when completed?. Frank

[ZebDeming]

I'm hoping to get it between 15 and 20 pounds. It's definatly got some kick with the proof load don't it?

[Frank46]

Zeb, first thing through my mind when the barrel flew back was "is he seriously going to fire that thing?. Think along some of the old african large bore elephant rifles. 2-4-8 bores. You will post pics when its done hopefully. Frank

[725]

OH yes, -- photos! Very neat.