We now have a source for printed ammo. Currently running. 45 cal ammo. I have tested this maker's .454 projectiles in my AEA Challenger. So far they do not tumble out as far as 25 yards. I am looking for a spot to get 100yrd shots on paper. I would like to see someone try them capable of chronograph clocking them. At the moment he is designing 30 caliber projectiles as well. They are all loosely based on Diabolo shapes. Any help testing would be appreciated. All your questions are welcome. Thank you for your time, New member, Kevin. 
3D printed ammo available now!
- Thread starter MacWag
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what's the material composition ? very interesting . MY .380 (PB) has polymer /copper mix projectiles
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He is using PLA. I'm having him send me more pictures. I have use all mine already or I would take some pics myself.
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I'm not sure there is a clear advantage. I know they are significantly faster. I would like to know how much faster. I am most interested in the plans he has for future design concepts, such as discarding sabot and steel balls in the nose. I have seen a few posts around the web asking about printing ammo. Seemed worth Playing with. I'm not sure if small calibers would pay off much. Mostly because of the lead free options already available. I am interested in your thoughts.
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I'm not really familiar with materials. I would assume that like other plastics and that it could be melted down and possibly extruded into a filament. I'm more of a laser CNC guy than a 3D dude. Robert, the fellow that is making these, has just ventured into projectiles. I know that he intends to upgrade so that he's able to run particle infused plastics. I'm not sure what all that entails, I just questioned him about the possibilities of having metals infused in with the plastic. He assures me that it is possible as well as other plastics with different properties. I am interested to be on the forefront of this experimentation. I do believe, like with all things, this will develop along a meaningful path and Bare worthwhile results.
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How much faster can a pellet be and remain stable? I'm also curious regarding their weight in comparison......and cost.
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From what I remember about projectile velocity, mostly from online reading. The issue is how far the projectiles remain supersonic. The point they transition to subsonic, causes a change in stability. This can rane from stringing to clock pattern grouping. At it's worst keyhole impact, striking on some degree of profile rather that nose forward. Before I tested these, my opinion was the low density would cause keyhole impacts even as soon as 30 feet. So far I have been impressed with the groups and utter absence of sideways Impact. Some shots left connected holes. I was using poster board for targets to adhere to.
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I do a fair amount of 3D printing with PLA, PETG, Carbon Fiber Nylon and Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate. This just does not seem like a great idea for the following reasons:
- The material is just way too light to have the same energy retention as a lead projectile.
- It also probably has a worse BC because of the added length to try and increase the projectile mass.
- Most 3D printers will not be able to come anywhere close to the same dimensional accuracy that a standard cast lead pellet can hold.
- 3D printing is a very time consuming process so it may cost more than cast ammo.
- PLA material is quite soft, so I expect traditional rifled barrels to be clogged very easily with PLA. How do you even clean a barrel clogged with PLA? Maybe polygonal barrels will perform better.
- PLA material is hydroscopic, which means it will absorb moisture from the air, which affects dimensional consistency and well as weight consistency.
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There is a pla material used as a lost cast type mold, but still would need to be sized after casting.
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The chosen shape looks to me as if it will put the centre of gravity very far back and very close to the aerodynamic centre of pressure, which will be very bad for gyroscopic and aerodynamic stability. The gyroscopic stability will be far too high and the aerodynamic stability far too low, not a good combination. The dynamic stability may also change rapidly as forward speed is lost rapidly. Very low twist rates may help. This is in addition to the internal ballistic problems.
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I have to disagree with pla being soft. If I drag a piece of pla and lead across sand paper... The lead is going to take a significant amount more damage. But it being light and hard are disadvantages as a PCP projectile.
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Soft may have not been the best adjective.
I just expect a rifled barrel to be chuck full of PLA in the grooves in no time.
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I wonder about the fact that it is thermoplastic, and if the intense friction against the barrel might cause it to melt and soften up a bit. It would only be exposed to that heat for an unbelievably brief time, but I wonder if it would cause it to melt into the rifling.
One use of this I can imagine would be winter shooting indoors if the gun could be dialed down considerably in energy so they weren’t breaking the sound barrier. I’m also a little surprised at the Diablo shape given that the velocity is likely to be very high. I would have thought a slug would be better but I don’t really know what I’m talking about just guessing.
One use of this I can imagine would be winter shooting indoors if the gun could be dialed down considerably in energy so they weren’t breaking the sound barrier. I’m also a little surprised at the Diablo shape given that the velocity is likely to be very high. I would have thought a slug would be better but I don’t really know what I’m talking about just guessing.
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A heavier but nontoxic metal powder infused in the plastic may be an option to increase weight. Ie bismuth or tungsten. Or a slug shape or different pellet with a big deep hollow to hold a metal insert for weight.
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I'd be curious to see close-up photos of a barrel shooting these at 950fps, after about 500 rounds.
But given how cheap lead is, and how expensive 3d printing is, I suspect lead will remain cost effective, regardless of the outcome of the above kind of experiment.
But given how cheap lead is, and how expensive 3d printing is, I suspect lead will remain cost effective, regardless of the outcome of the above kind of experiment.
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I was singing .17 cal 3d printed pellets out of a break barrel at 1600fps at a bbq smoker 10y away about a year ago... I could actually recover them and shoot them again. They looked damn near unphased by the barrel or the impact.
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