How about round balls out of zinc?

[littlejack]

Been thinking again. My wife warns me about that.
Has anyone cast any shotgun rb's out of zinc? Has anyone cast anything out of zinc period?
Zinc ww's would be cheap, and plentiful.
If anyone has cast zinc, can you elaborate your process? Is there any special do's or don'ts? I realize that the weight
would be quite less than a lead/ww ball of the same diameter, but that would reflect in higher speeds with the same
powder charge.
Any expierience/opinions appreciateded.
Jack

[SuperBlazingSabots]

Hello LittleJack, I had dome some testing with Zamak in early 70's to get higher speed as the weight is less and that was an advantage,
Mr. Roy Weatherby always said a lighter bullet at higher speed can do more damage than a heavier, slower bullet!

You need to start with a clean pot and use steel molds as it is much harder on the spruce cutter.

Now the time is right to get into Zinc, please do not try any RB or slug of full bore, only in wad type!

" No man is a failure, who is enjoying life" - William Feather

" A happy man is one who loads his own slugs and burn's powder at the range" - Blazing Sabots!

Time to start cooking your own, home cooked meal ( Sabot slug )

Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost!
Ajay
BlazingSabots@Gmail.com
Blazing Sabots, LLC
www.BlazingSabots.com
http://www.facebook.com/BlazingSabots?ref=hl
www.PreciousVideoMemories.com

[littlejack]

Vdo:
Yes, the ball in wad is what I was concidering. I suppose one could also cast the Lyman Sabot Slug, or any other slug that is
available in a mould. Now, I suppose I am going to have to get me some zinc ww's, and go to it.
Jack

[Pb2au]

For sure they will not rust......
This is interesting. I wonder what the weight difference is between two RB cast in Zinc ad PB.

[Pb2au]

Answered my own question;
Lead round ball, diameter 0.690" weight is 497 grains.
Zinc round ball, same diameter weight calculated to 308 grains.
That is still a hefty pill by any measure.....

Feel free to double check my math, I am pretty lousy at it.

[Pb2au]

report from ballistics calculator on handloads.com for a zinc roundball.



Range Velocity Impact Drop ToF Energy Drift
0 1300 -0.5 0 0 1156 0
10 1213 0.93 0.16 0.03 1006 0.58
20 1146 2.13 0.55 0.05 898 0.99
30 1091 3.07 1.2 0.08 814 1.63
40 1045 3.71 2.15 0.11 747 2.49
50 1006 4.02 3.42 0.14 692 3.54
60 973 4 5.03 0.17 647 4.77
70 944 3.61 7.01 0.2 609 6.18
80 918 2.83 9.38 0.23 576 7.73
90 894 1.63 12.17 0.26 547 9.44
100 872 0 15.39 0.3 520 11.29


please feel free to double check!