Fired up the casting furnace today

[matt85]

I realized I was down to just balls for my 8-bore, so I fired up the casting furnace. In the past I've used Lyman #2 lead alloy for my bullets, but I decided to give my cheap/free scrap lead a try this time. Strangely the bullets came out slightly smaller than the other alloy but slightly heavier. The difference isn't much and shouldn't make a big difference in performance.

Here is a fresh batch of twenty 85 caliber 1200gr bullets ready to load up:

 

[gillettehunter]

Look nice. Bet they pack a whallop.
Bruce

 

[frog stealer]

Matt, are you pan-lubing those?

 

[matt85]

Matt, are you pan-lubing those?

I melt a can of two parts bees wax and one part tallow in the oven. Then I dip the bullets base first a couple times until the grooves are filled. Lastly I run them through a sizing die while the lube is still soft.

 

[Josh P]

Slow motion footage of the terminal impact would be something to behold.

 

[matt85]

Slow motion footage of the terminal impact would be something to behold.

Probably not as exciting as you would think. The muzzle velocity of these critters is low! I clocked an average of 1300fps with my regulating load. Granted that's still 4500 ft/lb of energy so it will certainly get the job done.

I do have a slow motion video of one of these being fired with a heavy charge of black powder.

 

[Josh P]

For me, it’s exciting! There’s something about very large chunks of lead that stir up vicarious living through dusty old pages. Thank you.

Black powder really is underestimated in today’s age. It’s still alive and well, but sometimes underestimated.

 

[matt85]

For me, it’s exciting! There’s something about very large chunks of lead that stir up vicarious living through dusty old pages. Thank you.

Black powder really is underestimated in today’s age. It’s still alive and well, but sometimes underestimated.

I meant a slow-motion video of one of these hitting a gel block would be boring, shooting the gun is definitely NOT boring! On gel and in animals, these simply blow clean through, making a hole the diameter of the bullet. In terms of terminal performance, the old 8-bore simply does not compare to modern guns using modern ammunition.

If you ever find yourself in my neck of the woods, you are welcome to shoot this rifle. I can easily load up some black powder cartridges to give you the original experience as it was when the gun was made 128 years ago. I use either 270gr of Schuetzen FFg black powder or 67gr of Alliant Blue Dot.

 

[Josh P]

I understood what you meant and appreciate the offer as well.

This season will “settle” for a .58 percussion cap (acquired for a song) as I keep an eye out for a suitably larger piece. Your meteor shower there is to be admired in the meantime.