Casting Solid Copper Bullets

[powderedtoastman]

Has anybody done this? I'm looking to do this for my .58 Musketoon and Parker-Hale Enfields so that I can possibly hunt with them when the hammer comes down on non-toxic ammo.

Can't find any information on them. My Dad and I cast our own lead for target shooting already, but I'm hoping somebody has already done this and can give some pointers!

[arnie19]

Boy the temperature would really be high . I would find some one with a cnc lathe and have some made .How are you going to load them .Would have to make a plastic sabot.

[garyvale]

The MP of copper is almost 1800 F. You'd need a forge!

[Capt.Dunsel]

Has anybody done this? I'm looking to do this for my .58 Musketoon and Parker-Hale Enfields so that I can possibly hunt with them when the hammer comes down on non-toxic ammo.

Can't find any information on them. My Dad and I cast our own lead for target shooting already, but I'm hoping somebody has already done this and can give some pointers!

.45 cal solid copper bullet in a sabot would work , if your gun can shoot them.

But if you got a slow twist , as in shooting round ball , your pretty much SOL.
There was a guy shooting bismuth cast round ball , forgot where the info got to . I even tried it . The jury is still out on that one , cost prohibitive.

But to hunt with a BP gun here in good old Cali , they have to be approved and I don't think there are any round balls , just the copper for "regular" firearms in a sabot , for now.

edit : Seems you can not hunt in Cali using Sabots during the muzzle loading season as seen here :http://muzzle-loaders.com/articles/r...state.php#cali

[Hinnerk]

Depleted uranium would be sweet as a lead substitute... well, maybe not for hunting. :-)

I tried to melt copper once with wood fuel but never succeeded. Was able to boil zinc, however.

How are you planning to melt the copper?

[SMarquez]

Isn't there an exception for muzzle loaders?

[Latigo]

How many shots per barrel do you estimate?

[Divernhunter]

^^^ That is what I was thinking. The barrels are not even made for hardened lead. The copper would really be rough on them.

My2 Cents

[gun toting monkeyboy]

Look at ecotungsten. It appears they make a couple of larger shot sizes for people who hunt where there are restrictions on lead. You might be able to contact them about getting something in the size you need.

http://www.ecotungsten.com/shots.html

-Mb

[Rosebud22]

Is tin an option? Melting point 450F
Density is lower that copper 7.3 vs 8.9.
Lead is 11.3.

[powderedtoastman]

Well! I'm glad I posted this thread as I've already learned a lot that I didn't even think about! It sounds like I'll look into tungsten, or maybe take a look at getting a .50 Hawken. It seems there are some non-toxic options for that platform. I can't seem to find any exemption for black powder firearms when it comes to the lead ban on hunting.

[NapalmCheese]

Also, Ballistic Products makes ITX round ball and .50 cal bullets.

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/ITX-Bullets-Sabot-50-cal-8-pack/productinfo/TX50BS/

[CSACANNONEER]

I believe that the lead free projectiles have to be CA DFW approved. How would you go about getting your own cast bullets approved?

[postal]

I believe that the lead free projectiles have to be CA DFW approved. How would you go about getting your own cast bullets approved?

Send some examples to DFG for evaluation?

Perhaps not at 2400fps...

[powderedtoastman]

I believe that the lead free projectiles have to be CA DFW approved. How would you go about getting your own cast bullets approved?

Good grief, this is turning into a rabbit hole! The laws in this state continually make me vomit. I think my issue is settled!