melting down 38swc to make 44mag

bobo1972

bobo1972

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I have about 1000 peices of lead 38 specail.
I no longer have a 38 but I do have a 44mag. Because it is so expensive to ship 1000 pecies of lead can I just melt the 38 down and cast them in a 44mag mold. The 38 projectiles are coated in a wax, would that just burn off in the melting process? Any help appreciated.
 
Yup, u sure can. The wax lube will make it a bit smokey during the process but it will flash off before u start casting. Be sure to do this in a well ventilated area.
dB
 
Actually, the original lubricant in the 38s will be a good flux material for pouring. I would add a couple 38s at a time, as I went a long, then skim, for the fluxing.
 
You must consider also the hardness of that lead.
For many 38 Special bullets, the alloy is very soft to allow base upsetting and proper obturation with the 38's low operating pressures.
With a 44 Mag, unless you plan using these bullets for "creampuff" loads, you might try alloying it with a bit of clean wheelweight metal, just to give it a bit of hardness.
Good luck!
PP.
 
melting

Yeah sounds like a bit to much work, I was just going to buy a mold and give the lead and mold to a friend to do it. If I have to worry about hardness and all that its probably to much trouble.
 
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