Would you consider making your own slugs?

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Vana2

Vana2

Member
May 11, 2015
774
551
Ontario, Canada
 

I’ve seen that a number of people on the forum make their own slugs and I would like to ask if they would share some of their experience with those of us who might be considering doing that as well.

In looking at it, there are two approaches to finding the golden slug for your rifle; one is to test the commercially available slugs to find one that fits and the other is to make your own slugs to suit. Either way, there is a (substantial) initial investment with advantages and disadvantages to each.

There doesn’t seem to be a clear “best way” for slugs as it looks like people who invest the time and efforts are getting good results with both bought and home-made slugs.

The price of slugs are coming down but still expensive (locally) so I am wondering if instead of laying in a stock of a variety of slugs for testing if it would be more economically practical to invest in a mold and some sizing dies.

For myself, being retired and on a fixed income, I have the time to make my own slugs and the long-range economy is attractive as well. Besides, I have a decent workshop and like making stuff so I am leaning in that direction.

I can see casting and/or swaging slugs becoming a new hobby all on it's own for me. The same thing happened when I started fly fishing – I first tied flies to support my fishing and now tie them just for the fun of it. Could be that my experience in casting jigs, sinkers and slingshot pellets is going to be useful for my airgunning.

Hank


 
Hank,

Check out my slow path on making (and still developing) slugs that work........particularly in a lower powered Field Target competition gun.

I have posted numerous videos on testing pellets vs my homemade .177 slugs.

What spurred me to initiate this, was I was not happy with the quality of the best diabolo pellets money could buy. I decided to invest (over a period of 3 years), over $4000 on Corbin swaging dies and equipment. I have to say, it's been very frustrating, but rewarding as well. And, I'm probably going to acquire a few more dies for the hell of tinkering sake.

Check out my U Tube Channel ( don't forget to subscribe!!) Field Target Tech 



Also, my new website, fieldtargettech.com 

Subscribe to this as well to get slug product updates.



Lastly, here's a recent article Hard Air Magazine just put out on my slugs.



https://hardairmagazine.com/news/177-cal-slugs-can-work-too-says-tom-holland/



Hope you enjoy, and hope this helps, any questions, do not hesitate!!



Tom Holland 

Field Target Tech 
 
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Making slug, The price of 100 units is € 0.93 for me. Equipment cost $ 200.

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the only air rifle I cast for is my 357 bulldog. I have cast with pure lead and 11 brn hard ,11brn is a little more accurate. the lee 110 grn. simi wad cuter sized to . 357 was more accurate than .358 the .357 at 50 yards is as accurate as jsbs 1/2 to 3/4 normal the cheapest 11brn lead is magnum bird shot.. free lead.is range lead I've melted down and tested hard tested its usually around 11brn. lee makes a .357 die I think they are the only one that does, they will also make custom size. out all the sizing dies I've used in my 50 years of casting are lees are the cheapest and the best. they will lead your barrel less than swaged because of the lube rings, less bullet contact to barrel. I roll them on pad lubed with oil before sizing to keep them from lead build up in dies. I roll them again before I shoot as I shoot, as i do my pellets. cast temp is 750 to 800 degrees.
 
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Great stuff. 

$4000 probably represents a pretty shostificated setup (would be nice) but I think that the average person would be looking at spending a lot less. 

I was considering an inexpensive 1 ton arbor press (~ $60 at Harbor Freight) a mold or a swaging die and a couple of sizing dies as a basic setup. Is this reasonable/possible or am I missing things?

I am thinking about a .22 caliber setup (for an Impact) though if I get into making my own slugs I would likely get into the .25 and .30 calibers as well because it is the cost of pellets/slugs in those calibers that is currently hold me back.

@Vadimas Would you please describe your equipment or show a picture.

@oldman70 Thanks for the details, it gives me a good idea of what is involved.

So for the medium calibers (.22 -.30) is casting slugs an option or is it better to swage them?

I have heard about Corbin, Lee and Nor. Any recommendations/cautions on equipment?

Hank
 
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I have molds from NOE, Accurate, Arsenal, Lyman, and Lee.

The coating is powder coating, which is a polyester resin typically. A lot of youtube videos on the process. Bullets are sized after coating. NOE has a very slick sizing die system, using inserts, which makes it easy to size to your gun.

I cast for .223, .25, .257, .30, .308, .357 and .40 cal. Have diabolo pellet molds in .25, .30, and .357.

Casting does take developing some skill, and process control to get quality results, Once you learn it, it's a perfect addition to the shooting hobby.
 
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