Tin makes pretty bullets

hornetguy · November 30, 2011, 02:13 PM

As an experiment, I was looking for a way to get my tin (salvaged lead-free solder) into useable chunks... so I though, why not cast them into bullets that will weigh about an ounce each?
Last evening, I smelted down the scrap solder, and cast some .54 cal Maxi-balls.

It was close, but no cigar... they weighed in right at .75 ounces. Still useable, of course, just makes the math complicated... which isn't difficult to do for me...

Side note... tin makes REALLY pretty boolits!

GP100man · November 30, 2011, 10:13 PM

hornetguy

PURTY FER SHORE !!!!

To increase the weight don`t use the sprue plate & let it build on top of the mould, you`ll have to trial/error until ya get an oz.

I used a lyman 429421 & some babbit came in at 225gr , close enuff to 1/2 oz for me .

TXGunNut · December 3, 2011, 01:00 AM

Yup, sho-nuff purty!
If you don't mind me asking, where are you getting the scrap solder, neighbor?

hornetguy · December 4, 2011, 11:34 PM

They use it at my workplace, and cannot reuse it once it has been melted a few times. It starts looking dirty, so they dump it.
I asked if I could "catch" it when they got rid of it, and they said "sure"..

Gift horse, etc.....

chris in va · December 13, 2011, 04:32 AM

We'll all be casting with tin soon, unless someone finally perfects a zinc mold.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · December 14, 2011, 09:45 AM

Quote:

We'll all be casting with tin soon, unless someone finally perfects a zinc mold.

Nope. Not me!

Hundreds of pounds of WWs + Bullet trap = Lifetime of shooting

I am preparing for the WW armageddon with the construction of a bullet trap!

November 30, 2011, 02:13 PM	#1
hornetguy Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2011 Location: on the north side of DFW Posts: 706	Tin makes pretty bullets As an experiment, I was looking for a way to get my tin (salvaged lead-free solder) into useable chunks... so I though, why not cast them into bullets that will weigh about an ounce each? Last evening, I smelted down the scrap solder, and cast some .54 cal Maxi-balls. It was close, but no cigar... they weighed in right at .75 ounces. Still useable, of course, just makes the math complicated... which isn't difficult to do for me... Side note... tin makes REALLY pretty boolits!

November 30, 2011, 10:13 PM	#2
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,779	hornetguy PURTY FER SHORE !!!! To increase the weight don`t use the sprue plate & let it build on top of the mould, you`ll have to trial/error until ya get an oz. I used a lyman 429421 & some babbit came in at 225gr , close enuff to 1/2 oz for me . __________________ GP100man

December 3, 2011, 01:00 AM	#3
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,797	Yup, sho-nuff purty! If you don't mind me asking, where are you getting the scrap solder, neighbor? __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

December 4, 2011, 11:34 PM	#4
hornetguy Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2011 Location: on the north side of DFW Posts: 706	They use it at my workplace, and cannot reuse it once it has been melted a few times. It starts looking dirty, so they dump it. I asked if I could "catch" it when they got rid of it, and they said "sure".. Gift horse, etc.....

December 13, 2011, 04:32 AM	#5
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 11,718	We'll all be casting with tin soon, unless someone finally perfects a zinc mold.