Casting .310 Round Balls............

[#blackpowderbill]

Save time and $$$ purchase a 5 pound box of #1 buckshot

 

[Warren whitley]

Unless the anti-lead crowd continues to get their way. If production of lead ammo goes the way of caps, we’ll be scrambling to utilize scrap lead.

That's why is use a flintlock and scrounge up all the scrap lead from where I use to work.

 

[SDSmlf]

Save time and $$$ purchase a 5 pound box of #1 buckshot

I use #1-1/2 buckshot for my 32s. With a nominal diameter of .310” it works much better that the .300” diameter #1buckshot.

 

[#blackpowderbill]

I use #1-1/2 buckshot for my 32s. With a nominal diameter of .310” it works much better that the .300” diameter #1buckshot.

Is that the nickel plated from ballistic products?

 

[SDSmlf]

Is that the nickel plated from ballistic products?

No. I use Ballistic Products Superbuck Lead Buckshot. It a little harder than pure lead, 8 BHN or so, but not nickel plated. Find it works great in my 32s. Nearly 1300 1-1/2 buck in the 8 lb bottle they sell.

 

[Sidney Smith]

I use a Lee double cavity .311 mold for my .32 caliber. For some reason one of the holes consistently won't throw complete balls. I've tried everything but it still will have a deformed ball about every 3rd or fourth cast. Weird

 

[Timber Wolf]

I use a Lee double cavity .311 mold for my .32 caliber. For some reason one of the holes consistently won't throw complete balls. I've tried everything but it still will have a deformed ball about every 3rd or fourth cast. Weird

Something to do with your ladle technique? Lead temperature (too cold)? I would tend to think this kind of thing would be “operator” error. You using a ladle or bottom pour pot?

 

[jdw276]

I use a Lee double cavity .311 mold for my .32 caliber. For some reason one of the holes consistently won't throw complete balls. I've tried everything but it still will have a deformed ball about every 3rd or fourth cast. Weird

Check the pour hole. Had same problem with a 440. Ran a needle nose plyer down in the hole gently spun it a couple of times and never an issue again. May just be a small burr that catches stuff every once in a while. I am a bottom pour guy now.

 

[Terrier]

You can churn some out with one of these... I have the .390 for my 40 cal and it works great. Takes a minute to heat it up, but it does well.

Gotta wear gloves, for sure. The handle bolts will wear you out if not.

Marty's Arms out of Minneapolis.

 

[Vintage Gunsmith]

Casting small balls is an exercise in patience. Number 1 buck shot is .30" in diameter and a 5 lb bag will last nearly forever. It just seems to be a more practical use of time to take advantage of balls which just need to have a slightly thicker patch. Of course, they won't work in a .32 caliber revolver.

 

[BrianL]

Another VERY good option is buying 8 lb jug of #1 1/2 buck from Ballistic Products. That is roughly 1250 .310 balls for $43

 

[BrianL]

Once I have a good melt in my 20 lb pot I use two molds of the same or differing sizes, like 32 and 50, or 36 and 54. Once you get going the sprue will not solidify if you have a good rhythm so using two 2 cavity molds works well.