How do you make a slug?

[FIDI_G]

Anyone have info on making slugs?

You need led ( where do you get it)
You need a melting pot ??
You need some sort of mold
You need some sort of sizing tool

What else? Any info would be appreciated.

 

[OldSpook]

Anyone have info on making slugs?

You need led ( where do you get it)
You need a melting pot ??
You need some sort of mold
You need some sort of sizing tool

What else? Any info would be appreciated.

Google how to cast bullets. Check snipers hide.

 

[Triglav]

I've sized slugs down with 3D printed dies made out of PLA, I've even posted a thread about it... see here:

A 3D printed .22 slug sizing contraption? Would it work?

Hello everyone, it has been a while since I've posted anything on these forums, but now I'm back again with an interesting question... Would a 3D printed sizing device be actually able to size down an oversized ZAN slug from (AVG) 5,58mm to .217/ 5.51mm? I owe you guys a little bit of...

www.airgunnation.com

 

[Pale_Rider]

You can cast them in a mold, press them in a die, or machine them on a cnc mill. The cheapest way to do it is to buy a lee melting pot, a decent mold, and some lead.

 

[AirGunAction]

You need a tin of male and a tin of female slugs (Sex not gender). Mix them together and wait 4 months.

 

[Firewalker]

Anyone have info on making slugs?

You need led ( where do you get it)
You need a melting pot ??
You need some sort of mold
You need some sort of sizing tool

What else? Any info would be appreciated.

You will need pure lead, RotoMetals is the first place I would buy from.

LEE Precision has melting pots for affordable prices.

Depending on caliber and shape, NOE Molds is your best starting place to get a mold.

Many people shoot as cast, I size about 1/2 of my slugs due to tight barrels.

 

[DesertSilver]

I got all of my molds and sizing equipment from NOE. Got my lead from Roto metals and a 10 lb lead pot from Lyman. To shoot slugs in a PCP you need to know your groove diameter of your barrel. Size to.0005 of an inch over groove diameter. I slug the barrel by pushing a slug through the barrel from the breach end and measure the diameter of the slug with a micrometer in 3 different places 120 degrees apart and take an average.

 

[bigHUN]

I am lurking with the idea for some time I may start making my own slugs - not melting but pressing from wire - but,
I am a large volume shooter and really cannot find in my timetable for a new hobby massproducing my own slugs ... over a Canadian winter maybe, but not during a short Canadian shooting season that maybe lasts 6-7 months...
I am already re-sizing my .22 and .25 pellets, so that pressing process may work for me with slugs.
What Brands would you recommend?
I am already scared to ask for the $$ cost... for couple thousand $ that is a lot of slugs I can just buy from shelfs...

 

[BigVitamin]

Swaging of slugs can be done also, and some might contend you get better results from swaging, there’s no hot lead, weights are generally more consistent. for lead you buy lead wire from NSA. The downside is the cost of entry. Presses are expensive, as well as die sets. I will also add that die manufacturing lead time is close to 14 months in some cases last I spoke with Mr. Corbin.

 

[Airgun-hobbyist]

Like this forum, at castboolits, there's a wealth of knowledge and experience to be had on casting and even swaging.

Cast Boolits

This is the dedicated cast bullet forum!

castboolits.gunloads.com

 

[durbs75]

From this generalized list below, I know you will have additional questions so please ask away.



My biggest and most valuable piece of advice is to buy a book on casting. It’s invaluable and a reference whenever needed. Understand how and what you’re doing before doing it. I know…..who wants to read a book in our fast paced instant gratification lives today?? DO IT!! It’s worth it and they explain everything in detail and answers the questions that we always see asked in these groups.



Buy MICROMETERS not calipers that measure to at least the .0001 and .00001 is even better. Slug your barrel to get the groove diameter. That will be the size you size your cast bullets to. Cast .001 to .003 over groove diameter then size down to your barrels groove diameter. For example if your slugged groove diameter is .45714, buy a mold that drops .458 to .460 bullets, then a sizing die that is .457 and then lap it out to .45714.



For cleaning and making ingots - ** thick leather gloves, cast iron Dutch oven, Turkey fryer burner, large slotted spoons, ladle, cast iron ingot molds, lots and lots of flux (I use sawdust and or crayons). Dross discard container. BHN testers after making ingots (I use Staedtler art pencils).



Materials - ** lead, alloy, tin (keep BHN 9 or less depending on bullet style and rifle capabilities).



Bullet making - ** thick leather gloves, bottom pour pot, small stir spoon, pot thermometer (Lyman digital) or PID controller, cookie sheets for sprue and dropped bullets, mold mallet, scales that measure pounds and ounces for mixing alloys and grains to measure final bullet weight.



Molds - ** molds, sprue plate oil (2 stroke engine oil), mold heater (hot plate works well or old school curling iron oven). Arsenal, Accurate, NOE, MP Molds, Brooks, LBT are several good mold makers.



Sizing - ** I use a Lee APP press, NOE sizing bushings, Lee NOE bushing adapter, lube like Bore Butter (pre and post sizing). Micrometer to measure final diameter size (measure to the .0001).