I remember as a kid my father showed me where an old lead mine was down a dirt road and off into the woods. Just a shallow narrow trench in white rock. There were streaks of grey that was lead. He said that the pioneers would get their lead there for bullets.
I said it a couple years ago..... Elvis the ammo pioneer. Lol. I did this with a soup can, squeezed a pour spout into it and made some .25 acp bullets just for the heck of it. Another great video as always my friend
Yep that’s all it takes just a tin can like you did squeeze it into a funnel and pour it right in the mold just that simple! 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 punish that steel
So I actually am in the process of trying to make my own boolit mold. I'm doing this off trial and error so doubt first one will work, but I just turned down a 9mm bullet shape of the mold I want out of steel rebar. (I did this all on a vertical mill, no lathe but I have it turned down to the specs I was shooting for. Next step is to mill the steel bullet in half, and then grind a recess off the back so I can use that half steel bullet to drill holes for the mold. I left the steel bullet a few hundredths over, so hoping it will cast the correct size. If too large I can always turn the half bullet down a bit more and redrill the boolit mold in another piece of scrap aluminum or something. I've been watching your channel for a while now and yours is one of the reloading channels that inspired me to get into reloading, well that and the ammo prices. This little project I'm trying out is all going off the top of my head, just winging it really 😄, so any insight as to processes that I could do or measurements to make a better boolit mold by making model of a bullet out of steel, and using that to drill out the mold I would love to hear!
I love it! That’s pretty much how it’s done!👍👍 we wing it see how it turns out. That gives us the experience to fine-tune it. I’m not sure in your explanation, but I would have cut the mold in half before drilling the bullet. You will lose size as you Cut the mold in half. But you can always put it back together and rebore the bullet. 2000s of an inch over will be about right. After you’re done you will be extra proud of those bullets I promise ya! 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Let me know how it goes?
You are correct. I have not drilled the holes yet. I need to cut the bullet in half and then drill the holes at this point. I also left it a few hundredths over for when I cut the mold in half. I was also considering having the mold blocks already cut in half, and then putting them in the vise and drilling them that way. Figured I should give both methods a try though to see which comes out best. Will most definitely let you know how it goes though and send some pics/possibly some video if all goes well! Thanks for the help though, I will be sure to leave it at least 2thou over on the steel bullet that I use to drill the mold!
Dang ! That brings back memories . An old time buddy and I cast some bullets over a campfire many moons ago . Must be close to 35 years ago . I’ve had people look at me like I was nuts telling the story .
I've seen videos where people make a makeshift furnace from a log by drilling a hole through the top, then the sides for air flow. Wonder if it would get hot enough for melting lead.
Yep, it most certainly will. Those type of long fires get extremely hot, depending on how dry the log is and how big you drill the holes. And it's alot cooler on your hands then over a campfire.
Your videos helped me get the confidence to try casting my own projectiles just finished my first run gonna try them out in the muzzle loader this weekend
You want to have some real fun with them round balls get you a 1851 repro revolver. Cap and ball is a hoot. Also not knocking you but with the soft lead I just break the spru with a gloved hand. Great vid king
Another fantastic video! How cool would it be to take a hunting trip, cast your bullets, powder coat, and use a classic loader it hand press to load up the rounds you're going to use for hunting? Do you think it would help to have an infrared thermometer for ladle casting or powder coating over a fire?
Casting outdoor is better for your health too! I’ve got hundreds of pounds of pure lead ingots I got from a government surplus site. Paid $0.70 a pound abouts. However too expensive to sell and ship out.
I noticed those nice boots the last few videos... what kinda boots are those. Also these last few videos are great skill sharing, i been looking forward to both these 2 topics. Keep it up buddy..
Maelstrom is the brand. I don’t remember if they are hiking or working boots but this is my third pair. After I bought my first pair I like them so much I order two more. A combination of tough and very comfortable. Thanks! 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
Is that the same pot in your description? The linked RCBS pot is 4” wide. That pot looks bigger! I’m jealous! Need a pot that’s 6-8”. The 4” RCBS pot is too small and will waste a lot of propane on the turkey fryer! Can’t do 3 as the steel support on the fryer will cause the pots to be unstable.
I couldn’t find the same one unfortunately.😐 The small one is ideal for putting in hot coals. But on the turkey fryer yes she will need a bigger one sorry brother..
Elvis, I was just watching some of your old powder coating videos from 2017. Is that Eastwood ford light blue powder coat still the go to powder coating, or is there something else you have found since that you prefer?
I have watched several of your older videos (1-4 years back I guess) and have been entertaining the idea of casting; since you powder coat, have you thought about buying/making a mould that didn't have lube groove since you are not having to lube them anymore after powder coating? Just wondering if you could get a better/more consistent flying bullet than had a more modern design shape
From our experience, having lube grooves or no lube grooves doesn’t seem to matter. Just a good bullet design. There are great bullet designs with and without lube grooves. 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
@@elvisammo my mother used to make a ton of ceramics (like she has a 5000 SQ ft shop that she had molds, slip, and kilns etc and I was thinking about making just a wooden form with maybe 10 bullets ( just using standard jacketed bullets to make my mold) lined up on the bottom of the form, fill it with slip and let it set, then split it into to pieces and fire both pieces and have ceramic molds for bullet casting. I read a little about people hypothetically making them from ceramic but they determined it would take way too long to preheat the mold, but since ceramic won't absorb the heat from the casting as fast as metal would, I was thinking you may not have to get the mold up to quite as high a temp to still get good casts. I'll also be able to have high BC shaped bullets and even boat tails without having to machine anything since the slip will fill the mold fully and take whatever shape I have played out, just like pouring concrete or epoxy resin. I may have to make a metal case to go on the outside to prevent the mold from breaking when knocking the sprue off.
@@elvisammo oh no, the wood would just be to form for the ceramic pour, the finished mold would be made of ceramic. It would be similar to forming concrete sideways with wood, then once it cures the wood is removed. My main concern is that ceramic seems to have an ~8% reduce in size once it's kiln dried, so that could take a .243 original bullet used for the mold, to a .26 worse case scenario so I may have to play around with something else if I run into an issue like that; I assume I couldn't use a sizer to overcome that great of a difference. But I won't be out anything but time to try it a few times to try and get it right
My husband has watched most of your videos. He said he has a way of getting lead that you have not talked about in your videos. If interested let us know.
Nice. Buffalo hunter style. I have question. On a gas check cut mould can we nix the check and just powder coat or does the heel of the bullet demand the gas check be applied? I'm seriously wanting to try this and find your channel a good resource. Thanks
Question for Elvis & Community - I have always used sawdust to flux lead. Will any wax work such as paraffin canning wax ❓ Any preference between sawdust & wax ❓ Have you done a video comparing different fluxing methods (hint - hint)? LOL Thanks Elvis
Hello Elvis, wishing you and yours a merry Christmas. This is kinda off topic, is lighter fluid good for cleaning bullet molds, I’m casting 150 grain, lee bullet mold, but all of them are wrinkled, this is my first time casting, getting a little frustrating, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Peace and blessings.
Thank you and I hope you had a great Christmas yourself. A new mold can be very frustrating. I would wash it with hot water a toothbrush and dish detergent. Scrub it good and when you’re done do it again and then when you think you finally got it do it one more time… you probably already have it by now but this would be good advice on your next one… 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Hello Elvis have you seen any problems with the lee bullet mold? what the problem I've had is with the 9mm 124gr. bullet mold. after making several bullets I put a few on the scale one at a time of course they were like 128.5 to 129.3 grs. I called lee precision they said it was designed for 95% lead and 5%tin. I'm using wheel weights. just wondering if anyone else has had these issues with lee molds. anyone's response is appreciated thanks.
@@elvisammo I guess it's time to show them how to make black powder. Bout the only thing that I haven't seen you cover yet. Except maybe a European head mount. And something tells me that that you would have that one covered also. As always you are a good hero, and I love watching your vids.
If it makes you feel any better, I was able to get 1000 primers of your choice for $50 apiece no limit, at Palmetto State Armory. Walk in only. I know this may not help you. But may be a good sign.👍🇺🇸✌️
Ok. I feel better for you but I need #10 to shoot my last year's Christmas gift from my loving wife. 1858 Remington. Merry Christmas Elvis and family. thx my friend look forward to the day I can say hi personally.
Never hurts to learn how to do everything off grid!
I wanna know how to do all of it!!! 👍👍👍 thanks brother!!!
I remember as a kid my father showed me where an old lead mine was down a dirt road and off into the woods. Just a shallow narrow trench in white rock. There were streaks of grey that was lead. He said that the pioneers would get their lead there for bullets.
That would’ve been cool to see that! I’d love to mine some lead on a small scale.. 👍👍👍
Old coffee can, old spoon, have worked well over th years.
Yes sir!!!! It really doesn’t take much👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Brought back some memories. That's how I got started casting. Round balls over an open fire.
Glad I could help! 😁👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
I said it a couple years ago..... Elvis the ammo pioneer. Lol. I did this with a soup can, squeezed a pour spout into it and made some .25 acp bullets just for the heck of it. Another great video as always my friend
Yep that’s all it takes just a tin can like you did squeeze it into a funnel and pour it right in the mold just that simple! 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 punish that steel
So I actually am in the process of trying to make my own boolit mold. I'm doing this off trial and error so doubt first one will work, but I just turned down a 9mm bullet shape of the mold I want out of steel rebar. (I did this all on a vertical mill, no lathe but I have it turned down to the specs I was shooting for.
Next step is to mill the steel bullet in half, and then grind a recess off the back so I can use that half steel bullet to drill holes for the mold.
I left the steel bullet a few hundredths over, so hoping it will cast the correct size. If too large I can always turn the half bullet down a bit more and redrill the boolit mold in another piece of scrap aluminum or something.
I've been watching your channel for a while now and yours is one of the reloading channels that inspired me to get into reloading, well that and the ammo prices.
This little project I'm trying out is all going off the top of my head, just winging it really 😄, so any insight as to processes that I could do or measurements to make a better boolit mold by making model of a bullet out of steel, and using that to drill out the mold I would love to hear!
I love it! That’s pretty much how it’s done!👍👍 we wing it see how it turns out. That gives us the experience to fine-tune it. I’m not sure in your explanation, but I would have cut the mold in half before drilling the bullet. You will lose size as you Cut the mold in half. But you can always put it back together and rebore the bullet. 2000s of an inch over will be about right. After you’re done you will be extra proud of those bullets I promise ya! 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Let me know how it goes?
You are correct. I have not drilled the holes yet. I need to cut the bullet in half and then drill the holes at this point. I also left it a few hundredths over for when I cut the mold in half.
I was also considering having the mold blocks already cut in half, and then putting them in the vise and drilling them that way.
Figured I should give both methods a try though to see which comes out best. Will most definitely let you know how it goes though and send some pics/possibly some video if all goes well! Thanks for the help though, I will be sure to leave it at least 2thou over on the steel bullet that I use to drill the mold!
that is pioneer casting ,like its done in past times
Dang ! That brings back memories . An old time buddy and I cast some bullets over a campfire many moons ago . Must be close to 35 years ago .
I’ve had people look at me like I was nuts telling the story .
This is the way they did it in 1700! Can't you just see Boone setting by the fire casting balls!! Thank for the video!
Yep… it’s great to think about stuff like that.. we will either appreciate how good we have it or wished we lived back then.👍👍😁✌️
I’ll be beside you when times get hard!
I’ve never hated hard times. They don’t take as much thinking!! 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸😁 I’m with ya brother!
I've seen videos where people make a makeshift furnace from a log by drilling a hole through the top, then the sides for air flow. Wonder if it would get hot enough for melting lead.
Hmmm. Interesting. One way to find out...
It definitely will. Just setting the pot in hot coals will do the trick as well though. But it won’t be as fancy👍👍😁
Yep, it most certainly will. Those type of long fires get extremely hot, depending on how dry the log is and how big you drill the holes. And it's alot cooler on your hands then over a campfire.
This is perfect. Simple, cheap and effective... Thanks for this! Suddenly I'm not intimidated about having a go at casting bullets 😊😊👍
😁👍👍👍
The simple way, no fancy gadgets or whizbangs to perfect a prefect art. Very cool 😎. Easy good ol way
😎✌️👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 just like that!
Love casting over camp fire.
Yep… meee tooo! 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
That is the way I started out casting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sometimes you got to go back to the way you started, that’s where the enjoyment came from the start! 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Old school is still cool . 🙂
Yes it is! It never gets old!!! 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Nice and cold???😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲 I'm a freeze baby! Awesome video!
😂😂😂😎👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸thanks
Great advice,, "Learn how to enjoy yourself". in today's world, people don't know how to do that one thing. Peace Bro.. -Dave
Thanks Thorsaxe these things are meaningful! 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🔥
Great video. Your right it was relaxing to me from just watching.
Thanks brother I enjoy doing it!! 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
This was very interesting to watch Elvis 👍🏻🇺🇸
Thankya sir!!! 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
Your videos helped me get the confidence to try casting my own projectiles just finished my first run gonna try them out in the muzzle loader this weekend
That's how the cowboys did it.
I got cowboy in my blood!!! 😎😁👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
Where are you buddy. We miss you. Hope all is well
Nicely done, Sir.
👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸Thankya
Way to go I just love casting so relaxing
Hey Bullet Man! 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
This is how I've made all my ingots
Works perfectly every time no need to worry about running out of gas!!!👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
You want to have some real fun with them round balls get you a 1851 repro revolver. Cap and ball is a hoot. Also not knocking you but with the soft lead I just break the spru with a gloved hand. Great vid king
That sounds like a great idea… I’ll put that on my list for sure… 👍✌️
Another fantastic video! How cool would it be to take a hunting trip, cast your bullets, powder coat, and use a classic loader it hand press to load up the rounds you're going to use for hunting?
Do you think it would help to have an infrared thermometer for ladle casting or powder coating over a fire?
It would help, but definitely not needed👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 it would definitely be cool to do it all primitively
You still with us brethren? Miss your videos man!
You tha man Elvis!!
😁👊✌️🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍
Casting outdoor is better for your health too! I’ve got hundreds of pounds of pure lead ingots I got from a government surplus site. Paid $0.70 a pound abouts. However too expensive to sell and ship out.
Thanks for the lesson Teach!
Hey brother!!! 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Good video and information. Thanks
Thankya sir!! 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
I need to learn that skill
Easy breezy! 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸✌️
This is awesome!
Thanks brother!!! 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
Similar to how they did it in the Patriot but would it work for lead soldiers with paint like in movie?
Yes, the paint will just become the flux! 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
@@elvisammo i figured you would be the one to ask thank you i had half expected that tbh
I love all things (primitive)
Me too! 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🔥
I noticed those nice boots the last few videos... what kinda boots are those.
Also these last few videos are great skill sharing, i been looking forward to both these 2 topics.
Keep it up buddy..
Maelstrom is the brand. I don’t remember if they are hiking or working boots but this is my third pair. After I bought my first pair I like them so much I order two more. A combination of tough and very comfortable. Thanks! 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
This is awesome :)
👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🌲
Need a dipper to keep the slag out of the pour
These style dippers are great for that! 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸😎😁
Is that the same pot in your description? The linked RCBS pot is 4” wide. That pot looks bigger!
I’m jealous! Need a pot that’s 6-8”. The 4” RCBS pot is too small and will waste a lot of propane on the turkey fryer! Can’t do 3 as the steel support on the fryer will cause the pots to be unstable.
I couldn’t find the same one unfortunately.😐 The small one is ideal for putting in hot coals. But on the turkey fryer yes she will need a bigger one sorry brother..
good video!!
Thanks brother!!!! It was fun
I like it
Hey 🌲 a blowing!
Elvis, I was just watching some of your old powder coating videos from 2017. Is that Eastwood ford light blue powder coat still the go to powder coating, or is there something else you have found since that you prefer?
Ford light blue is still the king!!! 👍👍👍✌️
Love it ! Hey Elvis, where did you get your dipper ? Thanks for the video.
I used to do all my casting like that now I've been spoiled with electric pots
Give it another shot for old time sake brother! 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸😎
I have watched several of your older videos (1-4 years back I guess) and have been entertaining the idea of casting; since you powder coat, have you thought about buying/making a mould that didn't have lube groove since you are not having to lube them anymore after powder coating? Just wondering if you could get a better/more consistent flying bullet than had a more modern design shape
From our experience, having lube grooves or no lube grooves doesn’t seem to matter. Just a good bullet design. There are great bullet designs with and without lube grooves. 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
@@elvisammo my mother used to make a ton of ceramics (like she has a 5000 SQ ft shop that she had molds, slip, and kilns etc and I was thinking about making just a wooden form with maybe 10 bullets ( just using standard jacketed bullets to make my mold) lined up on the bottom of the form, fill it with slip and let it set, then split it into to pieces and fire both pieces and have ceramic molds for bullet casting. I read a little about people hypothetically making them from ceramic but they determined it would take way too long to preheat the mold, but since ceramic won't absorb the heat from the casting as fast as metal would, I was thinking you may not have to get the mold up to quite as high a temp to still get good casts. I'll also be able to have high BC shaped bullets and even boat tails without having to machine anything since the slip will fill the mold fully and take whatever shape I have played out, just like pouring concrete or epoxy resin. I may have to make a metal case to go on the outside to prevent the mold from breaking when knocking the sprue off.
If it fitz it bakes .. I guess if you wanted a temporary bullet mold you could possibly Make them out of wood. They just wouldn’t last very long.
@@elvisammo oh no, the wood would just be to form for the ceramic pour, the finished mold would be made of ceramic. It would be similar to forming concrete sideways with wood, then once it cures the wood is removed. My main concern is that ceramic seems to have an ~8% reduce in size once it's kiln dried, so that could take a .243 original bullet used for the mold, to a .26 worse case scenario so I may have to play around with something else if I run into an issue like that; I assume I couldn't use a sizer to overcome that great of a difference. But I won't be out anything but time to try it a few times to try and get it right
My husband has watched most of your videos. He said he has a way of getting lead that you have not talked about in your videos. If interested let us know.
By all means.. email me. I might wanna share with the audience!
elvisammo@gmail.com
👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Nice. Buffalo hunter style. I have question. On a gas check cut mould can we nix the check and just powder coat or does the heel of the bullet demand the gas check be applied? I'm seriously wanting to try this and find your channel a good resource. Thanks
Most of us powder coaters don’t use gas checks … good luck brother! 👍
@@elvisammo thanks again Mr Elvis. I'll try the powder coating without the gas check bases on those moulds. Thanks for the inspiration
Question for Elvis & Community - I have always used sawdust to flux lead.
Will any wax work such as paraffin canning wax ❓ Any preference between sawdust & wax ❓
Have you done a video comparing different fluxing methods (hint - hint)? LOL
Thanks Elvis
Creating carbon is the name of the game. Any wax or saw dust is fine.. I have used paper as well. 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Hello Elvis, wishing you and yours a merry Christmas. This is kinda off topic, is lighter fluid good for cleaning bullet molds, I’m casting 150 grain, lee bullet mold, but all of them are wrinkled, this is my first time casting, getting a little frustrating, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Peace and blessings.
Thank you and I hope you had a great Christmas yourself. A new mold can be very frustrating. I would wash it with hot water a toothbrush and dish detergent. Scrub it good and when you’re done do it again and then when you think you finally got it do it one more time… you probably already have it by now but this would be good advice on your next one… 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😎 (Hokitika Sth Westland NZ)
👍👍🔥✌️
Hello Elvis have you seen any problems with the lee bullet mold?
what the problem I've had is with the 9mm 124gr. bullet mold. after making several bullets I put a few on the scale one at a time of course they were like 128.5 to 129.3 grs. I called lee precision they said it was designed for 95% lead and 5%tin. I'm using wheel weights. just wondering if anyone else has had these issues with lee molds. anyone's response is appreciated thanks.
Elvis, no matter what method you use once you get rythmnto it ,it don't take longto make a pile of those round balls! ask mehow I know!! good video!
That’s right you get into a rhythm. Before you know it you got a nice little pot full. You sound like you might’ve done this once or twice😂😎👍✌️🔥
🖖 👍
🖖👊🔥👍
Lol, now you're starting to remind me of Mel Gibson ... I mean Benjamin Martin.
😂😂🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🔥👊
@@elvisammo I guess it's time to show them how to make black powder. Bout the only thing that I haven't seen you cover yet. Except maybe a European head mount. And something tells me that that you would have that one covered also. As always you are a good hero, and I love watching your vids.
Where'd you get that pot?
I wish I could remember but I can’t unfortunately!😐✌️
This is great.........but still no #10 caps to be found!!! No primers nothing. Prices through the roof. Pretty discouraging. Thx
If it makes you feel any better, I was able to get 1000 primers of your choice for $50 apiece no limit, at Palmetto State Armory. Walk in only. I know this may not help you. But may be a good sign.👍🇺🇸✌️
Ok. I feel better for you but I need #10 to shoot my last year's Christmas gift from my loving wife. 1858 Remington. Merry Christmas Elvis and family. thx my friend look forward to the day I can say hi personally.
Are you homeless now Elvis?😂
😂😂😂poor me🔥🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍