Looking For Expanded Hollowpoint Bullets - Ballistic Testers?

CJFinkle · October 13, 2015, 06:48 PM

I figured I might have more luck in this sub-forum than I've had in other forums online.

As a side hobby and to help donate to nonprofit 501(C)(3) military and law enforcement organizations, I have been creating various ballistic art pieces.

I located a decent amount of rounds from someone a while back, however, good old USPS lost the package in transit, so I'm poop out of luck... When I filed a claim, they basically laughed at me.

I'm at the point where I need to find more bullets to use for my art pieces, so I'm hoping someone here either has some from testing or can point me to someone who does. It would be greatly appreciated and as a thank you, I would be more than happy to make you a custom piece of your own choosing.

To give you an idea of what I'm looking for, here are some rounds than Tommy (tnoutdoors9) sent me a while back from the various ballistic tests he does on YouTube.

Thank you all!

Reloader54 · October 13, 2015, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJFinkle

I figured I might have more luck in this sub-forum than I've had in other forums online.

As a side hobby and to help donate to nonprofit 501(C)(3) military and law enforcement organizations, I have been creating various ballistic art pieces.

I located a decent amount of rounds from someone a while back, however, good old USPS lost the package in transit, so I'm poop out of luck... When I filed a claim, they basically laughed at me.

I'm at the point where I need to find more bullets to use for my art pieces, so I'm hoping someone here either has some from testing or can point me to someone who does. It would be greatly appreciated and as a thank you, I would be more than happy to make you a custom piece of your own choosing.

To give you an idea of what I'm looking for, here are some rounds than Tommy (tnoutdoors9) sent me a while back from the various ballistic tests he does on YouTube.

Thank you all!

Try talking to local gun ranges. They do cleanups from time to time. And they might let you come out when they do them. I've talk to mine and they said that I could come out when they did theirs. But I had to check with them first. I hope this helps.

briandg · October 13, 2015, 08:44 PM

Sorry, I have some rounds that I tested, but they're not at all artistic.

CJFinkle · October 14, 2015, 05:43 AM

Thanks Guys, I appreciate the responses so far.

griz · October 14, 2015, 07:42 AM

I think I can come up with some. Do you prefer ones that look "flowery" (is that a word?) or more like a mushroom?

Reloader54 · October 14, 2015, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by griz

I think I can come up with some. Do you prefer ones that look "flowery" (is that a word?) or more like a mushroom?

If you're asking me? I don't really care. I'll let you make the choice. Or you can use both. I'll let you decide.

CJFinkle · October 14, 2015, 03:21 PM

Hey griz,

I like them both really. What rounds do you have? If you want a visual of a couple shapes that people seem to like, here you go...

Federal HST's

Cor-Bon DPX

Winchester Ranger T-Series

Thank you for the response!

ckpj99 · October 14, 2015, 08:39 PM

Those are really cool. Does the epoxy or acrylic or whatever you use require a lot of polishing to get to appear so clear?

CJFinkle · October 14, 2015, 10:58 PM

Thanks and yes, it takes a good amount of time. It's all dependent on the particular piece.

So, you want to know more about the time consuming process of creating one of these pieces? Here goes...

First off, once I combine the resin/hardener into each of the molds I use for these products, the casting/hardening process takes about 24 hours to fully complete. Then the real fun begins! Or torture for some people! From this point on, it takes about 3-4 hours of my OCD to complete each piece.

I begin by using 180 grit sandpaper and hand sand and rough spots or edges, or until I have each piece in the desired shape. Next, I use 320 grit, before beginning the wet sanding process. I start wet sanding with 400, then 600, then 800, 1,000, 1,200 and I finish them off with 1,500 grit. The final process is hand buffing and polishing each. First, using 3M Fine Cut Rubbing Compound until they are as smooth as a baby’s behind! Then I polish each piece with NOVUS Plastic Polish until I can no longer make the product any smoother or shine any more brilliantly.

ckpj99 · October 15, 2015, 11:16 AM

Figured as much. I hope you've figured out a way to mechanize the sand process. That much hand sanding would be miserable for me. Are you using a vacuum vessel for curing?

CJFinkle · October 15, 2015, 07:14 PM

Hopefully in the near future I will be able to get a better process down, but for the time being, it's just a fun hobby and a small way for me to give a little something back.

October 13, 2015, 06:48 PM	#1
CJFinkle Junior Member Join Date: October 13, 2015 Posts: 5	Looking For Expanded Hollowpoint Bullets - Ballistic Testers? I figured I might have more luck in this sub-forum than I've had in other forums online. As a side hobby and to help donate to nonprofit 501(C)(3) military and law enforcement organizations, I have been creating various ballistic art pieces. I located a decent amount of rounds from someone a while back, however, good old USPS lost the package in transit, so I'm poop out of luck... When I filed a claim, they basically laughed at me. I'm at the point where I need to find more bullets to use for my art pieces, so I'm hoping someone here either has some from testing or can point me to someone who does. It would be greatly appreciated and as a thank you, I would be more than happy to make you a custom piece of your own choosing. To give you an idea of what I'm looking for, here are some rounds than Tommy (tnoutdoors9) sent me a while back from the various ballistic tests he does on YouTube. Thank you all! __________________ Ballistic Impressions - Custom Bullet Paperweights & More... _________________________________________ https://www.etsy.com/shop/BallisticImpressions https://instagram.com/ballisticimpressions/

October 14, 2015, 05:43 AM	#4
CJFinkle Junior Member Join Date: October 13, 2015 Posts: 5	Thanks Guys, I appreciate the responses so far. __________________ Ballistic Impressions - Custom Bullet Paperweights & More... _________________________________________ https://www.etsy.com/shop/BallisticImpressions https://instagram.com/ballisticimpressions/

October 14, 2015, 03:21 PM	#7
CJFinkle Junior Member Join Date: October 13, 2015 Posts: 5	Hey griz, I like them both really. What rounds do you have? If you want a visual of a couple shapes that people seem to like, here you go... Federal HST's Cor-Bon DPX Winchester Ranger T-Series Thank you for the response! __________________ Ballistic Impressions - Custom Bullet Paperweights & More... _________________________________________ https://www.etsy.com/shop/BallisticImpressions https://instagram.com/ballisticimpressions/

October 14, 2015, 10:58 PM	#9
CJFinkle Junior Member Join Date: October 13, 2015 Posts: 5	Thanks and yes, it takes a good amount of time. It's all dependent on the particular piece. So, you want to know more about the time consuming process of creating one of these pieces? Here goes... First off, once I combine the resin/hardener into each of the molds I use for these products, the casting/hardening process takes about 24 hours to fully complete. Then the real fun begins! Or torture for some people! From this point on, it takes about 3-4 hours of my OCD to complete each piece. I begin by using 180 grit sandpaper and hand sand and rough spots or edges, or until I have each piece in the desired shape. Next, I use 320 grit, before beginning the wet sanding process. I start wet sanding with 400, then 600, then 800, 1,000, 1,200 and I finish them off with 1,500 grit. The final process is hand buffing and polishing each. First, using 3M Fine Cut Rubbing Compound until they are as smooth as a baby’s behind! Then I polish each piece with NOVUS Plastic Polish until I can no longer make the product any smoother or shine any more brilliantly. __________________ Ballistic Impressions - Custom Bullet Paperweights & More... _________________________________________ https://www.etsy.com/shop/BallisticImpressions https://instagram.com/ballisticimpressions/

October 15, 2015, 07:14 PM	#11
CJFinkle Junior Member Join Date: October 13, 2015 Posts: 5	Hopefully in the near future I will be able to get a better process down, but for the time being, it's just a fun hobby and a small way for me to give a little something back. __________________ Ballistic Impressions - Custom Bullet Paperweights & More... _________________________________________ https://www.etsy.com/shop/BallisticImpressions https://instagram.com/ballisticimpressions/

October 13, 2015, 08:44 PM	#3
briandg Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2010 Posts: 5,468	Sorry, I have some rounds that I tested, but they're not at all artistic.

October 14, 2015, 07:42 AM	#5
griz Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2000 Location: Middle Peninsula, VA Posts: 1,588	I think I can come up with some. Do you prefer ones that look "flowery" (is that a word?) or more like a mushroom?

October 14, 2015, 08:39 PM	#8
ckpj99 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Posts: 386	Those are really cool. Does the epoxy or acrylic or whatever you use require a lot of polishing to get to appear so clear?

October 15, 2015, 11:16 AM	#10
ckpj99 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Posts: 386	Figured as much. I hope you've figured out a way to mechanize the sand process. That much hand sanding would be miserable for me. Are you using a vacuum vessel for curing?