Making your own slugs

[MrRiley77]

I just got my first big bore pcp and am looking to start making my own .457 slugs. I am having a hard time finding molds for this. I have found .45 .452 .454 .456 and .459. Will any or all of these work for a AEA hp max? Seeing how there is a lag time of up to 3 weeks for ammo. It will be easier to try and make them myself then to wait. I am also looking to make slugs in the 100 gr range as I start to shoot at lower power. I want to see what kind of fps and fpe I get at 150bar and below.

 

[Firewalker]

https://www.amazon.com/LEE-PRECISION-457-340-F-Double-Cavity/dp/B001TQ3PO2

 

[Ezana4CE]

@MrRiley77 Welcome to AGN. There are several threads discussing similar questions. Have you tried conducting an AGN search for the information you seek?

Here are a few threads I found using ".457 mold" as keywords in an AGN search

457 mold?

What is a good place to get casting molds for a texan 457

www.airgunnation.com

457 Texan Carbine with the new valve. Bullet Mold size question.

I have the newer 457 Texan Carbine and it loves the NSA 240 grain HP and the 350 grain HP. They are extremely tight when seating them. I read somewhere that people are ordering slightly smaller diameter slugs with good results And increasing their fps. Has anyone got the same rifle and used...

www.airgunnation.com

 

[mercado]

Ebay is your best bet to find 457 molds in any shape n size . I own a pretty good collection of rare .224 n 257 molds n now started with light 308 .. I have seen coutless of 457 molds for sale.. or you could go with new molds .. like Arcenal molds or Acurret molds .. both will size the mold to your need..but you need to slug your barrel to know what size will work on your gun best.

 

[sonnysan]

Here is your solution before purchasing all the equipment that will be over $300 easy:

Projectiles - Cast Lead Solid Bullet .457" Sampler

This is the most economical avenue to see if your big bore prefers cast bullets. No wasted money with 90% full, dusty ammo boxes on the shelf. This sampler includes seven different weights (15 each) and designs so you can determine what your gun likes best. In grains L -> R...

www.airgunnation.com

 

[RM.510bigbore]

Slug your barrel and find out what diameter it is..Then get a mold 2 thousand s larger..You also need a sizeing kit also..Lee has them...

 

[DesertSilver]

As what was just said. You need to know your groove diameter to size your slugs for best accuracy. If you are using a aluminum mold you will definitely need to size your slugs as aluminum expands and contracts with the amount of heat, .003 per inch at 350f. Look at NOE molds for a economical sizing system. I recommend a brass mold for casting consistent diameter and weight slugs. Brass holds the heat much better than aluminum but is heavier and more expensive.

 

[sonnysan]

How to Slug an Airgun Barrel

This process is designed to educate the user to minimize wasting money on slugs where the probability of randomly purchasing slugs that shoot inaccura...

airgunwarriors.com

NOE and accurate molds will be around $170 for 6 cavities with handles. Lee molds $35 with handles.

 

[durbs75]

From this generalized list below, I know you will have additional questions so please ask away.



My biggest and most valuable piece of advice is to buy a book on casting. It’s invaluable and a reference whenever needed. Understand how and what you’re doing before doing it. I know…..who wants to read a book in our fast paced instant gratification lives today?? DO IT!! It’s worth it and they explain everything in detail and answers the questions that we always see asked in these groups.



Buy MICROMETERS not calipers that measure to at least the .0001 and .00001 is even better. Slug your barrel to get the groove diameter. That will be the size you size your cast bullets to. Cast .001 to .003 over groove diameter then size down to your barrels groove diameter. For example if your slugged groove diameter is .45714, buy a mold that drops .458 to .460 bullets, then a sizing die that is .457 and then lap it out to .45714.



For cleaning and making ingots - ** thick leather gloves, cast iron Dutch oven, Turkey fryer burner, large slotted spoons, ladle, cast iron ingot molds, lots and lots of flux (I use sawdust and or crayons). Dross discard container. BHN testers after making ingots (I use Staedtler art pencils).



Materials - ** lead, alloy, tin (keep BHN 10 or less depending on bullet style and rifle capabilities).



Bullet making - ** thick leather gloves, bottom pour pot, small stir spoon, pot thermometer (Lyman digital) or PID controller, cookie sheets for sprue and dropped bullets, mold mallet, scales that measure pounds and ounces for mixing alloys and grains to measure final bullet weight.



Molds - ** molds, sprue plate oil (2 stroke engine oil), mold heater (hot plate works well or old school curling iron oven). Arsenal, Accurate, NOE, MP Molds, Brooks, LBT are several good mold makers. I personally exclusively use Accurate Molds and design my own bullet molds.



Sizing - ** I use a Lee APP press, NOE sizing bushings, Lee NOE bushing adapter, lube like Bore Butter (pre and post sizing). Micrometer to measure final diameter size (measure to the .0001).

 

[Flyingsherpa]

I just got my first big bore pcp and am looking to start making my own .457 slugs. I am having a hard time finding molds for this. I have found .45 .452 .454 .456 and .459. Will any or all of these work for a AEA hp max? Seeing how there is a lag time of up to 3 weeks for ammo. It will be easier to try and make them myself then to wait. I am also looking to make slugs in the 100 gr range as I start to shoot at lower power. I want to see what kind of fps and fpe I get at 150bar and below.

I was advised by Bin at The Pellet Shop to not go before 150bar. He said if you don't drop below that pressure your value pin will last forever.