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Post by armando on Aug 4, 2020 17:39:34 GMT -7
So both in the interest of self-reliance and budget, I'm considering buying a ball mold and lead to try my hand at making my own round ball for my .44 Flinter and .45 Hawken.
Not even sure where to start (though they seem to have all I need at TOW) but before I launch myself down that rabbit hole I wondered:
A- do I actually save any money instead of buying my round ball ready-made in boxes?
B - how difficult/involved is the whole process of casting your own ball with a mold?
Looking to learn every day....
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coot
City-dweller
Posts: 152
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Post by coot on Aug 4, 2020 18:43:46 GMT -7
It will costa few dollars to get set up. I have had good luck buying molds on Ebay which may save a bit. Whether or not you save anything in the long run depends in part on how much you shoot - only a few times a year might not equal any savings but you would be self reliant & many enjoy the process as relaxing. The process is hardly rocket science - both steel & aluminum molds work well & alum is less expensive & faster to heat up - the molds need to be hot to while cast well. Any poorly cast balls can simply be recast so no lead is wasted. A search will likely find tutorials on line.
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990 
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Post by Keith on Aug 4, 2020 22:05:41 GMT -7
Moulding your own ball is far less expensive. Moulding round ball or buckshot is easy & very satisfying I fined.
Regards, Keith.
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Post by brokennock on Aug 5, 2020 2:18:31 GMT -7
If I can do it, anyone can. Safety 1st though. Long sleeves and good shoes or boots, just in case. I advise eye protection.
Keep water the heck away from melted lead.
If you buy lead in nice little ingots from the B.P. supply houses, I think you overpay. Look into getting scrap lead from roofers, the flashing used around chimneys is either pure lead, or not lead at all. Contractors who work on X-ray rooms at medical facilities can be another good source, the walls are lined with thin sheets of pure lead, when a room is redone they don't reuse it, it gets scraped and new lead is installed.
I melt my scrap in a large pot on a turkey frier burner, flux it, skim it, and ladle it into steel muffin tins to make ingots of clean lead. I cast out of a tiny electric pot, small enough to poor directly from the pot into the mold, designed to do so, this makes it small enough to be difficult to flux and skim/clean the lead in this pot.
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Post by hawkeyes on Aug 5, 2020 4:24:45 GMT -7
I only run ball with bag molds from Larry Callahan. He will make you any size you want and he also will resize the mold free of charge for life. His molds are also HC, based off originals in his collection which are dated to the late 18th century. He will gladly share that information with you as well if you desire. I've personally never been lucky enough to come across any antique molds but for what it's worth, running massive quantities of ball isn't required. I run ball when needed, around the fire before a shoot. More can be made obviously if you desire but there is no need to carry extra. Nor have I ever found it necessary to aquire a large quantity mold.  Running ball is one of those things I feel to be absolutely essential for purveyors of the 18th century and with ownership of a firelock. You will find it emminsly rewarding and satisfying. bagmolds.com/ |
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Post by hawkeyes on Aug 5, 2020 5:52:55 GMT -7
Lead is easy to source and there isn't any need to purchase it. There are multiple ways you can source scrap lead and thats part of the fun. Anything from lead sinkers, weights, old balls... Try your local tire shop, you still can find pure lead wheel weights with ease.
All you need is a mold, lead, fire and ladle then you are in business.
A good period ladle can be fashioned from scrap copper sheeting very easily and is extremely effective for melting lead over hot coals. Copper is a wonderful conductor of heat and is fairly durable. Affix a green or wet stick to the ladle and have fun!
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Post by Sicilianhunter on Aug 5, 2020 8:40:02 GMT -7
Armando,
I must agree with Hawk on several points :
- Larry Callahan is a great guy and makes outstanding bag molds among other things. I own 2 of his although I would not say they are the only molds I would use.
- a ladle of some kind is a part of this kit and copper is the lightest material and transfers heat the best.
Running ball is a rewarding skill for serious reenactors as not only is it a way to make ammunition (Keith mentions recovering ball from game and recasting it), it may also pop up as a skill used in a match at an event.
Follow precautions as Nock mentions.
It’s a good thing to have a PC/HC bag mold in your kit and know how to use it.
Here’s something : you leave on a hunt/trek/match and bring the wrong size ball or have brought shot accidentally instead.
That could torpedo an outing...unless you have the means to recast it into the proper size for the weapon you have with you...
I’m not saying that a thing like that has ever happened to me... NO, Uh-Uh!!! That’s a Pilgrim move!!! LOL
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Post by brokennock on Aug 5, 2020 11:24:19 GMT -7
armando what size ball does each gun take? I have a scissors style mold marked .45 that doesn't get used. But, I think it casts a .45 ball instead of a smaller ball for a patched ball in a .45 gun. If you can use it, you can have it.
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Post by Black Hand on Aug 6, 2020 9:18:29 GMT -7
Sometimes, you can get lead for free since disposal can require a fee from those trying to rid themselves of construction/remodeling scraps.
In any respect, the mold and ladle are onetime costs and casting your own can save money in the long run.
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Post by armando on Aug 6, 2020 12:22:51 GMT -7
armando what size ball does each gun take? I have a scissors style mold marked .45 that doesn't get used. But, I think it casts a .45 ball instead of a smaller ball for a patched ball in a .45 gun. If you can use it, you can have it. Thank you brother! My Miruko flintlock is a 44/45 but I use .433 Balls. I got it used for $50 so that’s why I’m so vague on its caliber. I used a gauge but the barrel is so old that it was literally between 44 and 45. |
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
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Post by Keith on Aug 6, 2020 17:05:53 GMT -7
Moulding buckshot in camp.
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