My custom California copper ML bullet.

More on this Kalifornia-correct copper bullet I'm designing for my .6115 caliber muzzleloader. The the 15 mm pure copper rod will fit snugly in my bore with a one 1000 inch patch. But I did the math, and only one inch of 15 mm diameter copper cylinder weighs 625 grains which is too heavy. But a 21/32 (just over 5/8) inch piece of 15 mm rod weighs 416 grains, which is acceptable. I refuse to pay a machinist $100 an hour to put a round point on these bullets. I got to thinking, why not just leave the front end of the bullet flat? It would be a perfect solid cylinder, flat on each end. Can you guys think of a reason why I shouldn't shoot that? I wouldn't take a shot over 40 yards, and I expect the bullet to tumble.

Sounds interesting. I understand the need for cost effective bullets. Before I owned a lathe I rounded a few pieces in a drill press with a file. In my opinion rounding off one end or rounding the edge to a flat point would be better than just shooting cylinder that was flat both ends. Just something to think about.

Loaded my own unmentionable slugs for a few years with good luck. Filled the hollow bases with hot glue so the wad wouldn't stick inside the cast boolit.

Just be consistent in what you do and in load development and you should be fine.

It would take little time shaping the nose with a drill press or hand drill and a mill file

That's a huge patch!

Dont know if you've considered it but there are a number of places you could buy 15mm copper or brass ball bearings

A little spendy per shot, but here's an option per Driftingrz's thought above: uxcell 15mm Precision Solid Brass Bearing Balls 5pcs: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

You guys, I looked hard for 15 mm copper rod, but it never occurred to me to look for copper or brass 15 mm balls! (I don't have anything with a 5/8 or 3/4 chuck to spin it with.)

lonedave said:

A little spendy per shot, but here's an option per Driftingrz's thought above: uxcell 15mm Precision Solid Brass Bearing Balls 5pcs: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

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Nothing wrong a beer can shape. Basically a wadcutter, which are very terminally effective.

People target shoot with .38 wadcutters. And a semiwadcutter just has a patial cone nose. For a patch try cutting out a cross shape from your material. It should fly away like a shotgun plastic wad at the muzzle. This one is paper but cloth should work fine. Best of luck.

Well this is interesting. It started with my 577 500 no2 needing jacketed bullets. But oh so expensive I tried pressing jackets but my press was not enough power. Then I hit on spinning them. Unbelievable. Just make a mandrel slide 15mm copper tube over it and spin it to shape in your little lathe. I have made dozens Under a minute each I fill with lead red trim and roll over base it’s so easy and beautiful bullets Biggest I made was .75 dia. Bit fiddly below .5”. Easier to swags small copper bullets to side. I heat the jackets with flux before filling with lead. Yes bespoke hunting bullets. I made some with “wings for a 2 grove rifle. Great fun ps don’t for get about bras jackets from new or spent brass.

Ps. Mandrels

Gordoncourtney said:

Well this is interesting. It started with my 577 500 no2 needing jacketed bullets. But oh so expensive I tried pressing jackets but my press was not enough power. Then I hit on spinning them. Unbelievable. Just make a mandrel slide 15mm copper tube over it and spin it to shape in your little lathe. I have made dozens Under a minute each I fill with lead red trim and roll over base it’s so easy and beautiful bullets Biggest I made was .75 dia. Bit fiddly below .5”. Easier to swags small copper bullets to side. I heat the jackets with flux before filling with lead. Yes bespoke hunting bullets. I made some with “wings for a 2 grove rifle. Great fun ps don’t for get about bras jackets from new or spent brass.

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Are you talking about copper jacketed lead bullets? Those are illegal in California because they fragment inside the animal and spray shards of lead. The local gun shop gave me a 50 caliber machine gun bullet for free, and it's completely shrouded in copper, but the owner told me it would be illegal in California because it contains lead. Or are you talking about actually forming pure copper metal into the shape of a bullet?

russellshaffer said:

People target shoot with .38 wadcutters. And a semiwadcutter just has a patial cone nose. For a patch try cutting out a cross shape from your material. It should fly away like a shotgun plastic wad at the muzzle. This one is paper but cloth should work fine. Best of luck.

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Wadcutters make nice round holes in cardboard targets. I saw MythBusters try to cut a rope in half with a bullet but couldn't do it. Then I saw a cowboy shooter demonstrate it by using a partial partially conical bullet just like the one you show in the picture, and it cut the rope very well.

Gooddaytoya! said:

Are you talking about copper jacketed lead bullets? Those are illegal in California because they fragment inside the animal and spray shards of lead. The local gun shop gave me a 50 caliber machine gun bullet for free, and it's completely shrouded in copper, but the owner told me it would be illegal in California because it contains lead. Or are you talking about actually forming pure copper metal into the shape of a bullet?

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We were only discussing that tonight in uk. Ok I make the copper jackets so do we fill them
With plaster , cement. ?????? And what about 22 bullets is their end coming. The anti lead infection is creeping everywhere including ranges so soon antique guns are done for just hung in the wall. I can only wish you well. I guess we will be back to bows and arrows. Happy with that but you cannot hunt with them in UK since 1963. Doo goody people everywhere

Gooddaytoya! said:

Wadcutters make nice round holes in cardboard targets. I saw MythBusters try to cut a rope in half with a bullet but couldn't do it. Then I saw a cowboy shooter demonstrate it by using a partial partially conical bullet just like the one you show in the picture, and it cut the rope very well.

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I used to load jacketed bullets backwards in a revolver for squirrel shooting. The pointed end would go right through without expanding but loaded backwards they punched a .45 hole. I think your brass or copper cylinders would work fine.

These copper spun jackets are still very thick and are unlikely to fragment. Unless you turn off the pointed tip to expose the lead or and even drill to make a hollow point It just finding an alternative to lead to fill them with even a quick drying cement goes through my mine with an added ball bearing if you like. At 78 I don’t shoot anymore just a collector fiddling around in my workshop finding solutions to problems and helping others Hunting is very limited with rifles in UK only for the wealthy few and farmers I guess.

This is a .78” ball bearing. Ex car UJ coming in at 326grains. Thinking outside the box they may fly faster and straighter that’s the advantage of a ML. You can fire anything as it’s wrapped up in a cosy patch. Must look for some smaller balls Lead or steel I would not want to be hit by one. Of course in practice steel balls might be utterly useless. Your call I wish you well

I really shot myself i my the foot here a .45 steel ball weighs in at. 107g compared with 133g lead ball it’s not good but might be ok for 30 yard squirrel shooting

Must correct the above a .78 steel ball is 504 grains , scale problem, and a .68 ball 333grain. The .45 correct at 107grains The problem with ball bearing they come dead on size like .45000 nothing a bit under size

Apologies trying to think outside the box. But this lead ban is creeping across all of us.

I wish you well

lonedave said:

A little spendy per shot, but here's an option per Driftingrz's thought above: uxcell 15mm Precision Solid Brass Bearing Balls 5pcs: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

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Same company is selling 12 mm brass ball. Roughly.489 with a .015-.020 patch should work with a 50 cal, depending on the weight

sportster73hp said:

Same company is selling 12 mm brass ball. Roughly.489 with a .015-.020 patch should work with a 50 cal, depending on the weight

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Google says .472