MAKING LEAD AMMO

[Leo Sayer 1,697]

Had a go at making lead ammo for the first time. Found it quite therapeutic till I burned my toe with hot lead, saying that I did have flip flops and shorts on lol. I just struggled to get the melting pot doing a nice pour, it didn't seem to flow that clever. Saying that I've never used one before so I don't really know. I made some 9mm to try, what is everybody else's go to lead shot size ? I may get one of them Lee 2 shot molds in 10mm or possible 11mm but they may require very heavy flat bands to shoot them. Also any tips for finishing the balls when cast ?? I just snipped with tiny electrical pliers then and sharp point gently crushed with pliers. Cheers 

[Shefflad69 212]

4 hours ago, Leo Sayer said:

Had a go at making lead ammo for the first time. Found it quite therapeutic till I burned my toe with hot lead, saying that I did have flip flops and shorts on lol. I just struggled to get the melting pot doing a nice pour, it didn't seem to flow that clever. Saying that I've never used one before so I don't really know. I made some 9mm to try, what is everybody else's go to lead shot size ? I may get one of them Lee 2 shot molds in 10mm or possible 11mm but they may require very heavy flat bands to shoot them. Also any tips for finishing the balls when cast ?? I just snipped with tiny electrical pliers then and sharp point gently crushed with pliers. Cheers 

I use 9mm lead balls

[Daniel cain 42,789]

where did you get the mould??? I've got a good 60/70kgs of old lead off cuts and some old water pipe, I've been saving from jobs...buying stainless is costing me a small fortune with the kids,just ordered another 1000

[Leo Sayer 1,697]

20 minutes ago, Daniel cain said:

where did you get the mould??? I've got a good 60/70kgs of old lead off cuts and some old water pipe, I've been saving from jobs...buying stainless is costing me a small fortune with the kids,just ordered another 1000

Bought second hand of a geezer on FB, got some moulds and a melting pot, just currently in my garage trying my best to scar myself for life lol. 

[Leo Sayer 1,697]

Bought a job lot of ammo making gear and in it was a 8×11mm Bean mould, just made a couple now pissin about in garage. They like metal tictacs lol, be interesting to see what they sling like. Roll on the pheasant season 

[tatsblisters 7,914]

Seen my mate making them with the same mould though he was melting the lead in an old steel cooking pot over a stove he has in his brick built shed always fancied having a go myself but i have no access to scrap lead.

[Leo Sayer 1,697]

2 minutes ago, tatsblisters said:

Seen my mate making them with the same mould though he was melting the lead in an old steel cooking pot over a stove he has in his brick built shed always fancied having a go myself but i have no access to scrap lead.

Yeah I just fancied ago myself, also to see what they shoot like. I made some 9mm yesterday and shot a pigeon this morning and dropped well. I just bought a job lot and thought I'd give it a go. I think you just got keep your eyes peeled for the scrap lead, I actually found an old bag of pellets in garage from years ago, proper cheap ones. And since I no longer keep guns I melted them. Will still use steel for targets and save lead for quarry. 

[oxo 380]

I've got a Lee double mould here, makes good ammo, cuts off the sprue so all balls are finished, pain in the arse making them though so I just use 11mm steel now.

[ger2020 66]

I have a 10mm and a 11x8 baby bean mold - well done on that score, i think they're quite rare.

I just use flush cutters to snip them and then put them in a can and give them a good shake/tumble and they smooth themselves off.

I trade grey squirrel tails with my local fly fishing shop for scrap lead so always have plenty 

been a bit lazy this year haven't done much casting will need to get an afternoon on it for pheasant season coming up

 

[Leo Sayer 1,697]

1 hour ago, ger2020 said:

I have a 10mm and a 11x8 baby bean mold - well done on that score, i think they're quite rare.

I just use flush cutters to snip them and then put them in a can and give them a good shake/tumble and they smooth themselves off.

I trade grey squirrel tails with my local fly fishing shop for scrap lead so always have plenty 

been a bit lazy this year haven't done much casting will need to get an afternoon on it for pheasant season coming up

 

Thanks will try rattling them in a can. Yeah apparently the bean moulds are rare, how do you rate them firing them and quarry wise ? Cheers 

[Bird Catcher 94]

I have always used 12mm lead, my mould do 8 at a time and I do the same as you by snipping off the excess then put them all into an empty 2litre plastic pop bottle and give them a bloody good shake, no need to then crush any bits with pliers . I melt my lead outside on a camping stove and use an old heavy cast iron milk saucepan,  this keeps the heat well. Don't forget to warm your mould first. I use tube elastic which fire these well. Heavy draw but what I was brought up using

[Troutslayer 141]

I use a lee mould from henry kranks, also a melting pot from them which was money well spent...no more pissing bout with gas. Cutter on the mould bang on and makes them perfectly round

Edited September 6, 2022 by Troutslayer

[jo54 255]

good

[j j m 6,477]

look good bud

[Bangersanmash 2,358]

On 06/09/2022 at 22:03, Troutslayer said:

I use a lee mould from henry kranks, also a melting pot from them which was money well spent...no more pissing bout with gas. Cutter on the mould bang on and makes them perfectly round

Good going cheap enough are sea fishing leads if you can't get scrap metal. I don't live far from scrap yard and have a pal who works down there. So may have a look into buying a second hand electric pot or a cast iron pot to put on a camping stove.