Has anyone here tried casting copper?

[Pseudophil]

I'm thinking about casting my own bullets, and I'm wondering if anyone has used lead casting equipment for casting copper bullets.

Is this doable?

[bohoki]

liquid lead is hot liquid copper is too hot

[Pseudophil]

How do you mean? Does the additional heat ruin the equipment?

I'm thinking a cast iron pot and ladle, and aluminium mold should hold up just fine. Is there something I'm missing?

[Mikeb]

Lead melts at ~600 degrees, aluminium ~1100 degrees, copper ~2000 degrees. Also copper doesn't cast very well with out somealloy added to it; zinc for brass tin for bronze and my favorite silicon for silicon bronze. All thes materials are melted in graphite or silicon carbide crusibles.
I think it is ok to make rifle bullets from brass and bronze. Handgun bullets from those materials are considered armor peircing.
Swedging copper wire would probably be a bertter plan.
take care
Mike

[Pseudophil]

Wow... I had no idea I had to get it THAT hot.

Thanks for the info guys.

[sorensen440]

Copper is also very expensive

[Pseudophil]

The expense was not my first concern, just the feasability.

It seems the expense is a moot point in any case, since I have no equipment for handling anything at 2000F.

[Mikeb]

2000 degrees is not the problem, you can do that with a homemade burner a blast furnace lined with refractory and an old vacuum cleaner (for air). The real problem is copper doesn't cast well. Also you need the right crucibles and the tools to handle them. That's why i suggested swageing bullets from annealed copper rod.
take care
Mike

[M1884]

Elmer Keith wrote in the '30's about some tests with solid bronze bullets in the .220 Swift with interesting results. Those bullets were turned on a lathe, which is certainly a good option.

[rabagley]

I've done some bronze casting into very fine sand molds to make small, detailed parts. Much of that equipment would transfer well over to very high copper alloys, however, the level of effort and waste is prohibitive for something consumable like a bullet.

Lathing precision bullets from bar stock is much more practical, even if it is still pretty expensive.

Also, solid copper does not make for an AP round. I just bought Barnes solid copper handgun bullets that are not sold or described as AP by the BATFE or CA DOJ. Generally, a higher strength penetrator like tungsten is necessary.