Casting Airgun slugs to press in presslug

This is a 2 part video where I am casting lead in different calibers to press in the presslug.

[@dougdunlap5889]

ya need to mic up friend, think you have some great info but if you dont have audio you got nothin

[@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining]

Hey brother, I hear you. My apologies. Was unintentional. Obviously, I have a headphone in my ear, because I thought that was providing the audio. I’m sorry if it’s quiet, hopefully you can hear what I’m saying. If there’s something that you couldn’t hear just let me know, and I will describe it to you.

[@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining]

Took your advice! Ordered a mic on Amazon that day, and did a video with it today, let me know what you think

[@shanemahosky1267]

Dude, nice shop! Great videos! I’ve been cast for awhile now. I have different lead pots set up for different alloys. I have fifty sets of moulds last I counted. On my aluminum moulds I just smoke them to keep them from sticking, using the soot from a box lighter. I’ve used crayons, old candles, bees wax and even sawdust for flux. It’s a cheap and very effective substitute for having to buy the stuff.

[@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining]

Thank you, that’s awesome dude. 50 that’s a shit load, I made a video more recently I actually got a CNC machine, and I made my own mold. I made it out of aluminum, so obviously I can’t cast aluminum, but I do have a melting pot that can do aluminum And copper, etc., check it out. I just put it up that not long ago.

[@gobium42]

Hey, I like you videos and replies in comments, very helpful. Keep up the great videos

[@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining]

Hey, thank you very much man! I appreciate that, the only reason I even do these videos is because this is stuff I would be doing anyway, and I figure if other people can use the knowledge and it could help them. I’m going to share it. So, as far as the days when I ended up doing is I went and bought a lathe, between that, and all the other metal working equipment I already have I can make my own dice out of steel, aluminum, whatever. The equipment is kind of expensive. I don’t know how far you want to invest into this, but the amount you will save on slugs, is so dramatic and even on the dice. Ross, steel in Home Depot or tractor supply, or somewhere similar to those is very cheap compared to buying a finished die, but the learning curve is also quite large. If you’re not familiar with that type of equipment, it will take you a long time to learn how to use it. So I’m happy to give you some advice in whichever direction you decide to go, but that will have to be your decision. If you need some information on either one, I can tell you you can get a lathe at Harbor freight for like $800 but I made the mistake of doing that and I returned it less than two weeks later having ordered a $2000 lathe from a reputable company. The harbor freight one made the pin that pushes the hollow point very well, I made it into a pointed bullet, and made a whole brand new one with the measurements from the old one, it works perfectly! So. Also, you would need tooling for the lathe and end, it gets quite expensive. I’ve spent over 3000 already between shipping, the machine itself, and all of the machining tools. I already had all of the cutting oil and stuff like that which is also stuff that you will need and good cutting oil is about 80 bucks a gallon. So this stuff gets expensive but that type of machine you can use for so many different things, it can be used for making parts for cars for literally anything that needs metal parts that are circular. And if you get a milling table for it, you can literally make anything you want. Those are the types of equipment that are the most important when working with metal. I have a milling table on my drill press so I didn’t get it on the lathe, but if you are not going to use that machine that much, probably the $800 harbor freight or even one of the Amazon ones would be fine. Message me if you have any more questions.

[@goldsmith001]

I really enjoy your videos, new subscriber here. What part of the country do you live in, I'm from Iowa, not many air gunners around here. Thanks for all your efforts in putting these videos together!

[@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining]

Well, thank you for letting me know, I appreciate your comment and your support! I’m from Connecticut, airgun laws are pretty ridiculous here, but luckily I live in a city where I own property and I’m able to help the cops with video footage when they need it, so they generally don’t bother me. I am actually finishing up another video now on custom, making an STX barrel for the scout. I finished my third one last night, and I figured I may as well turn the camera on while I do it because it’s much different than the first time I did it. This is professionally done. It’s really tight tolerances and very accurate, I did it in 30 caliber like this and it’s shooting the same hole over and over, I’m just finishing up the 25. I haven’t even shot it yet, epoxy was drying last night.

[@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining]

Also, I got some serious testing equipment for my suppressors, I sell them online. I came up with my own design after being so disappointed with what was on the market, but I got all kinds of intricate testing equipment like multiple decibel meters that do data loggingspectrum analyzer, Ascope, sound, analyzer, etc.

[@goldsmith001]

I also appreciate that you answer most of the questions and in full, it takes a lot of your time I know. @@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining

[@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining]

@@goldsmith001 No worries brother, I do this to help people out, I'm happy to answer any questions...

[@503BikerDad]

Great video! I'm still struggling with my process. I'm in El Salvador and there's no lead wire here, so I'm casting my own lead wire: 12 cavities, 5mm, 6cm., but it's a pain to cast and then cut. What weight are you casting for .22 and .25 cal? would it be better to just cast the blanks in the proper size and then swage? Thanks man!

[@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining]

Hey man, YES! If you cast to approximately the weight you want to press it'll be a LOT easier! I can custom-make you one. If you have a lee, I can just make the 2 parts just like the original, but with the correct diameter, and depth for what you need.

[@gobium42]

I contacted Nick at NSA. He will make lead wires specifily for Presslug

[@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining]

I’ve already spoken to him multiple times since I started buying the lead wire there, but there’s no need to get wire specifically for a price like they have so many different sizes and you can buy wire all the way up to several millimeters smaller if you were in a large caliber, and still press it for that caliber, depress forces it into that size anyway. I can use 1/8 inch or like a three or 4 mm wire and make 30 caliber slugs with it. You just need a longer piece you’ll see when you get it, but it saves you on castings because by one big casting in 22 it will cover 22 and 25 and you can cut them in half for 22, I did the same thing with 30 and 35.

[@gobium42]

I odered a Presslug last night. I will be doing research on cheaper form mold and better lead wire sources in USA. Mostly for 25 and 30 m3&panthera

[@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining]

Dude, NSA slugs started making their own wire, and they sell whatever they can’t use making their slugs. They are cheaper than anyone! I have tried everywhere, I was buying from Corbin, and it was like 60 something dollars for 10 pounds shipped, I’m getting 25 pounds for $82 shipped! Literally almost double, more than doubled almost 2 1/2 times

[@gobium42]

@@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining yes I saw it on their lead wire site, I will try their wire for 25 cal. And report back.

[@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining]

@@gobium42 i’ve tried it, 25 count actually is my favorite, my Panthera and my crown are both in 25 and I have 25 for my impact as well as 22 and 30, I’ll probably get a 30 for the crown, but the Panthera I’ll keep it 25. Definitely my favorite all-around caliber, the lead wire comes in heavier than it supposed to be, at least half a pound over the 25, and it’s quick shipping. They are very good to deal with.

[@goateemike72]

@@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining looking for .25 cal wire myself.. what is NSA? do you have a link? nvmd.. i found it.. $82.75 SAWEET!!!

[@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining]

@@goateemike72 yah nsa like the slugs

[@flacavaca]

Where did you get your molds from? The one I see at Presslug are red anodized instead of plain aluminum like yours.. Thanks

[@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining]

Hey, how are you, I got the molds online on Amazon and multiple other places they are Lee precision, they were like 60 bucks and another 30 for the handles, so like under 100 total compared to $420. I actually ordered the ones from presslug originally, and they are extremely well-made, and they also make what would be like a cut piece of lead from a role, so you can make any size slug from them, so if you wanted to go with those, they are definitely quality molds. But if you wanted to go my route and cast actual bullets, and then press them into professional, slugs, Amazon, Ebay, any outdoor store.

[@flacavaca]

@@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining I want to press .25 and 30 cal slugs. Would you happen to have a mold number that would work?. Thanks for your help..

[@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining]

@@flacavaca so the mold number is just 357 for the 357, 217 or 218, for, 22s etc. If you Google it or look on Amazon, I’m certain you’ll find what you’re looking for. I ordered one of those from Amazon, the other two I got from MP molds online that’s the name of the company. MP mold.

[@SlugsPress]

We are a manufacturer of bullet presses. You can watch our videos to learn about our products.

[@flacavaca]

Chris are you using lead wire form Corbin? From what i read from Presslug they recommend 6mm lead wire for 25 slugs and 7mm for 30, Is this what you use? Where do you recommend purchasing lead wire from and what sizes for 25 and 30 cal slugs? Tnx

[@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining]

Are use lead wire, and also I use cast lead. The lead that is cast is from spent slugs from the bullet trap, and whatever other sources I get it from. The lead wire is easier, but more expensive and I do get some from Corbin, but I’ve also ordered from another place through Amazon 5 pound rolls.

[@flacavaca]

@@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining What size lead wire for 25 and 30 slugs? I just received my Presslug press but no lead yet. Tnx in advance

[@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining]

I totally get it, that was before I had all of the equipment that I do now for sound and video, if there’s something specific you want to know I’m happy to tell you you can email me CJ [e-mail], and I’ll even call you if you want and you can ask me whatever questions you want

[@GIJeaux1]

Could you tell me what you said between 0:01 and 18:07? 😮 Thank you.

[@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining]

I don’t have a transcript, I think this video was before I had the body, Mike, and all that stuff, but I don’t have a transcript of what I was saying. If you have a question, I can help you with the answer, but I don’t have a transcript from the videos.

[@GIJeaux1]

@@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining I just couldn't hear what you were saying because of the background noise. I am very interested in the content but, I missed so much I couldn't "connect the dots", if you will.

[@tedshickell7315]

Get you a mic can’t hear what you saying

[@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining]

Done a long time ago. This is like one of the first videos I’ve done. Did you notice the date?

[@tedshickell7315]

@@Cjsairgunscarsandmachining not really I am trying to find a good slug maker that won’t brake the bank