Anyone Casting Solid Copper Projectiles?

[cancer]

So, is anyone casting solid copper projectiles? Scrap copper seems to be reasonably priced at about $3/lb and it's much less toxic. Or is the melting point just too high for home use?

 

[tiriaq]

Are you aware of the temperatures and techinques necessary for casting copper?

 

[cancer]

Are you aware of the temperatures and techinques necessary for casting copper?

Temperature yes, techniques no.

 

[ciPeterF]

There is someone in SK\AB making solid copper bullets, his name\company name escapes me, but he's been at the Lloyd gunshow in recent years.

 

[tiriaq]

Most copper projectiles are either machined or formed.
Melting copper is going to require a furnace and crucible. I suppose bullets could be cast using lost wax casting techniques.

 

[antiqueguy]

not possible now one could cast some bars and then have that turned downcopper and other metals shrink when cooling down so your wax form would have to be over sized

the point is why lead and lead alloys are not that dangerous some people out there think you need to wear a bio suit to cast i do it in shorts and a t shirt and lead is much easier to work with

 

[cancer]

not possible now one could cast some bars and then have that turned downcopper and other metals shrink when cooling down so your wax form would have to be over sized

the point is why lead and lead alloys are not that dangerous some people out there think you need to wear a bio suit to cast i do it in shorts and a t shirt and lead is much easier to work with

Do you wear a face mask?

 

[antiqueguy]

Do you wear a face mask?

why just dont sit over the pot breathing in

 

[tiriaq]

not possible now one could cast some bars and then have that turned downcopper and other metals shrink when cooling down so your wax form would have to be over sized

the point is why lead and lead alloys are not that dangerous some people out there think you need to wear a bio suit to cast i do it in shorts and a t shirt and lead is much easier to work with

Don't imagine that you bother with safety glasses either.....

 

[Rotaxpower]

Scrap copper seems to be reasonably priced at about $3/lb

I get lead for free to cast boolits. $3/lb isn't reasonably priced!

 

[antiqueguy]

Don't imagine that you bother with safety glasses either.....

nope they would make me not see well as i have to wear my glasses at all times

theres really no need for it just keep water and sweat out of the molten lead the tinsel fairy is not fun of corse you should not be leaning over the pot either.

ive done it for years now only real truble ive had is when i used to just melt and pour out of a ladle no pot and then i had a nice puddle of lead hit my foot.

 

[SandRoad]

Copper is difficult to cast, it usually ends up with entrained bubbles, it oxydizes extremely quickly when molten. You need to cast it in an oxygen and moisture free environment. Moisture free because the water breaks down and leaves hydrogen in the copper.

For bullets you can't have any voids because it will cause the bullet to be off balance when spinning at 200,000 rpm.....

Bronze is much easier.

 

[becherone]

Be nice he only asked a question if you don't know the answer please stay posted and learn something but wear your safety gear in the mean time cheers and happy stuffing

 

[sail32]

The French 8 mm Ball D was a solid bronze bullet, maybe a French or military web site will have information you can use.

 

[antiqueguy]

The French 8 mm Ball D was a solid bronze bullet, maybe a French or military web site will have information you can use.

most likely turned

 

[cancer]

A bit of time spent on google would suggest that most copper bullets these days are CNC turned. I wonder if you could press the bullets? Copper is somewhat plyable..

 

[connexion123]

I was interested in doing this but I think the amount of skill, tools, and a plethora of etc. needed is just beyond me.

 

[antiqueguy]

A bit of time spent on google would suggest that most copper bullets these days are CNC turned. I wonder if you could press the bullets? Copper is somewhat plyable..

maybe with powdered copper as a core for say a .223 bullet

i know alot of guys who reform .22 rimfire brass into .223 jackets these make a thin jacket that breaks up on impact with a powdered core it would make a nasty little round. of corse copper is pricey id use zinc as its cheap

 

[katanaa]

Copper is a great metal, it conducts heat and electricity very well, you can anneal it, you can work harden it, you can draw it, punch it, and machine it. But casting it as other have said is not an easy thing to do. On reason is because it transfers heat readily so as soon as you pour it into the mold it will start to harden because the heat is transfered quickly from the metal to the mold and you might have a hard time filling the mold free of voids.

Also as others have pointed out, 3$/lb is not reasonably priced. Lead wheel weight are free if you have a friend in a tire shop. Lead is also very easy to work with, but unlike one of the other posters I would encourage you to do it in a well ventilated area with full body protection of something that doesn't burn or melt too easily, something like light duty welding protection with a face sheild.

One last point if you are smelting lead pipe, hammer it flat first. The open hole can act as a cannon that will shoot molten lead out of it up to 6 to 10 feet. I had this happen to me, and luckily I wasn't standing directly in front of it and only got some minor burns on my arm chest and face. I wasn't wearing a shirt, but I did have safety glases on which got sprayed too so they did save my eyes.