Paper Patching and Cast Boolitrey.
- Thread starter Bart212
- Start date
Boolitcaster
CGN Regular
- Location
- Vancouver Island
Paper Patching adds another dimension to cast bullet shooting. I have heard of teflon tape being used, but most references have been second hand.
People make their own bullets to save money and for the enjoyment of creating something.
There is definitely something....but getting better accuracy with cast bullets than commercial jacketed is a daunting task. People who swage their own bullets can get better accuracy than commercial ammo, but that is another skill set entirely.
If this does not sound like your thing, feel free to keep buying commercial ammo.
Paper Patching adds another dimension to cast bullet shooting. I have heard of teflon tape being used, but most references have been second hand.
People make their own bullets to save money and for the enjoyment of creating something.
There is definitely something....but getting better accuracy with cast bullets than commercial jacketed is a daunting task. People who swage their own bullets can get better accuracy than commercial ammo, but that is another skill set entirely.
If this does not sound like your thing, feel free to keep buying commercial ammo.
Well I was figuring with the added costs of shooting another cartriage to make my own from + the lead + the kettle + dies + the other equipment + the added *time* to reloading, it's not all that worth while for me.
It definatley looks cool but at the moment I don't have the time to be making my own bullets let alone the reliabilty of it.
i've gotten into melting lead for certain things that are really expensive, like 12 gauge slugs, when you melt and load your own it gets very cheap to shoot them
i also cast for 38's and 9mm, i get about equal accuracy, but i definantly save money on the projectiles in comparrison to buying commercially made ones
i also cast for 38's and 9mm, i get about equal accuracy, but i definantly save money on the projectiles in comparrison to buying commercially made ones
Casting your own bullets will save you tons of money, esp. if you don't add costs for your time spent(labour), casting and then paper patching is even more labour intensive. Paper patching did not work out for accuracy in the 45/70 or 50/90 Sharps with black powder, as fouling was too dry and hardened causing trouble seating subsequent rounds and ripping the patch, the BP loads need lots of BP lube instead. I have molds to cast PP bullets in .30 cal. and have played with them to close to 3000fps., and they do not lead, however accuracy was not up to the level of grease groove bullets at lower velocities.
It should be noted also that Cast Bullet benchrest shooters have not taken to paper patching for top accuracy last time I looked.
It should be noted also that Cast Bullet benchrest shooters have not taken to paper patching for top accuracy last time I looked.
7000 grains to a pound of powder or lead. At 155 grains, that's 45 bullets per pound. Or do the math to match your desired bullet weight.
Depending on the setup, you can make from several dozen, to several thousand bullets in an afternoon casting session.
Lead is around a buck a pound these days. Less if you are a decent scrounge. Wheel weights are getting harder to find.
Powder loads are comparable or a bit lower.
If you shoot a lot (or want to), or you want to shoot calibers that are not readily available, casting is a great option. If you want to shoot once or twice a year, and can't afford to scrape together some equipment, then maybe not.
Cheers
Trev
Bart go to any sporting goods store in North America and ask for a box of 44-77 or 45-100's and you will get that look of that Bassard has a third eye grown out of his forehead.
Paper Patch is the way that people shot the first cartridge bullets and it is a hoot to try and duplicate that. It is even a bigger rush when you poke a fatal hole in a critter with a bullet that you cast, paper patched and then planted that boolit on top of a precisely measured case full of old smokey.
That is why people cast and paper patch. Some of the stuff is just easier to make then spend weeks waiting to get it in the mail.
OH WHAT A RUSH!.........
or
CAN YOU SMELL WHAT THAT MAN IS SHOOTING?
Ken.
Paper Patch is the way that people shot the first cartridge bullets and it is a hoot to try and duplicate that. It is even a bigger rush when you poke a fatal hole in a critter with a bullet that you cast, paper patched and then planted that boolit on top of a precisely measured case full of old smokey.
That is why people cast and paper patch. Some of the stuff is just easier to make then spend weeks waiting to get it in the mail.
OH WHAT A RUSH!.........
or
CAN YOU SMELL WHAT THAT MAN IS SHOOTING?
Ken.
Last edited:
Boolitcaster
CGN Regular
- Location
- Vancouver Island
I have to agree. Paper patching can be pretty challenging. I know of people who are getting excellent accuracy,...perhaps as good as commercial jacketed. I am not there yet. I am taking it as a challenging obsession.
Casting was pretty easy for me to pick up, as I had previous metal casting experience and I found lead easy to work with at the (relatively) lower temperatures.
I've cast rifle bullets for 50yrs+. Started because I was cheap and wanted to shoot a lot. Still cast because I enjoy it. Usually can at least match factory ammunition for accuracy in hunting type rifles, although usually at lower velocity. For .30 cal. bullets or smaller, you can EASILY cast more than 100 bullets an hour.30 30 to 30 06 size cartridges cost within pennies of $4/20 shots not counting labour.
Grouch
Grouch
In general most 'low volume' reloading tasks are not economical if you factor in your own labour at a decent wage.
That's why it's a hobby.
I really enjoyed casting bullets, and am looking forward to returning to it, getting into the whole 'Zen' of filling the mould cavities, waiting for the sprues to frost over, counting 2 extra seconds, tapping the sprue plate and cutting off the sprues, swing open the mould, tap the hinge pin, and drop those beautiful shiney boolits, swing the mould closed and start the dance over... as for production...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blk6dKNinlo
That's why it's a hobby.
I really enjoyed casting bullets, and am looking forward to returning to it, getting into the whole 'Zen' of filling the mould cavities, waiting for the sprues to frost over, counting 2 extra seconds, tapping the sprue plate and cutting off the sprues, swing open the mould, tap the hinge pin, and drop those beautiful shiney boolits, swing the mould closed and start the dance over... as for production...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blk6dKNinlo
