I want to turn some bullets

the machinist · December 23, 2008, 10:54 PM

I want to to turn some bullets for my .223, what material would be best to use? thanks!

**Unclenick** · December 23, 2008, 11:21 PM

Commercial bullets have been made from soft copper, bronze, and brass. Jacket gilding metal is actually a bronze, with about 5% zinc. That should work if you can find rod stock anywhere? Keep in mind all these alloys are going to be harder to start into the rifling than standard bullets, so start pressures will be higher. Many designs use rifling rings rather than try to force the whole solid into a bore. Look at Barne's web site to get some ideas. And unless you intend to take an eternity to produce any quantity, you'll want to use a programmed CNC lathe or a tracer lathe and a pattern.

totalloser · December 24, 2008, 02:34 AM

I must say that solids have been notoriously tricky to engineer/load. Do your homework before experimenting, says I.

45Marlin carbine · December 24, 2008, 08:10 AM

if these lead bans get started nationwide you may have a profitable source of income once you're dialed in. use soft copper IMO.

the machinist · December 24, 2008, 09:59 AM

The barnes looks like the trick...I'd like to buy a couple to get the measurements if any of you have any.. .224 dia. 55 grain or so. I can pay with paypal. thanks!!

mini14.223 · December 24, 2008, 10:28 AM

lead bans???

Swampghost · December 24, 2008, 10:49 AM

We made some years ago using 360 free-machining brass. As I remember??? we reduced the OD a little due to the harder material.

Here's a Google search. http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...+brass+bullets

kcw12 · December 24, 2008, 07:11 PM

Tin, or zinc id try.

December 23, 2008, 10:54 PM	#1
the machinist Member Join Date: November 25, 2008 Posts: 66	I want to turn some bullets I want to to turn some bullets for my .223, what material would be best to use? thanks!

December 23, 2008, 11:21 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Commercial bullets have been made from soft copper, bronze, and brass. Jacket gilding metal is actually a bronze, with about 5% zinc. That should work if you can find rod stock anywhere? Keep in mind all these alloys are going to be harder to start into the rifling than standard bullets, so start pressures will be higher. Many designs use rifling rings rather than try to force the whole solid into a bore. Look at Barne's web site to get some ideas. And unless you intend to take an eternity to produce any quantity, you'll want to use a programmed CNC lathe or a tracer lathe and a pattern. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

December 24, 2008, 02:34 AM	#3
totalloser Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2007 Location: Fort Bragg, CA Posts: 679	I must say that solids have been notoriously tricky to engineer/load. Do your homework before experimenting, says I. __________________ You only truly believe in freedom if you believe in the freedom of those you disagree.

December 24, 2008, 10:49 AM	#7
Swampghost Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: Florida, east coast Posts: 2,106	We made some years ago using 360 free-machining brass. As I remember??? we reduced the OD a little due to the harder material. Here's a Google search. http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...+brass+bullets __________________ NRA Patron Member

December 24, 2008, 08:10 AM	#4
45Marlin carbine Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: South-Western North Carolina Posts: 1,124	if these lead bans get started nationwide you may have a profitable source of income once you're dialed in. use soft copper IMO.

December 24, 2008, 09:59 AM	#5
the machinist Member Join Date: November 25, 2008 Posts: 66	The barnes looks like the trick...I'd like to buy a couple to get the measurements if any of you have any.. .224 dia. 55 grain or so. I can pay with paypal. thanks!!

December 24, 2008, 10:28 AM	#6
mini14.223 Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: missouri Posts: 99	lead bans???

December 24, 2008, 07:11 PM	#8
kcw12 Junior Member Join Date: December 18, 2008 Posts: 2	Tin, or zinc id try.