Casting Lead Bullets

A four-minute video detailing the process of casting lead bullets from wheel-weight ingots. Re-shot in HD!

[@seanobrien4238]

Thank you! This is the single most informative video on casting.

[@TATVCanada]

Glad you found it informative.

[@David_Carlile]

This is actually a really good video. The only thing that is incorrect is that pure lead will not harden when quenched. I thought it did as well until someone told me it didn't, so I tested hardness quenched vs unquenched and it was always the same.

[@TATVCanada]

This is an alloy made of wheel weights, and believe me it does.

[@David_Carlile]

@@TATVCanada yes, wheel weight will harden.

[@DESIBOY-fe7nm]

But quenching it in the water will make the muskets cool down faster, so that you can put it in paper cartridges quicker. Right?

[@LukasMorgan-l1q]

My grandpa always told me if you’re ever lost in the woods start up a game of solitaire, and someone will come out and tell you where else you should have put the cards. That’s a lot like these comments… great video sir

[@TATVCanada]

This is my favorite comment of all time.

[@luger_Mann]

I have to say this is a great video because I cannot for the life of me cannot find a video that tells me what I need and how to do it well.

[@dukeman7595]

@Mr. Cool Agreed!

[@ripshot2222]

thats because two years ago youtube deleted most of all the bullet casting videos for insighting violence

[@akbound.prepper5676]

Very good video 👍I have recently thought about casting my own bullets I have bought the same melting pot and i have started buying lead now I need the rest 👍

[@robertfrapples2472]

When using a bottom-pour pot, keeping the surface lead shiny clean is an unnecessary waste of material. As soon as you get it clean, more oxidation forms. Once it forms, it largely stops. Scooping it out only starts the process again, while never impacting the purity of the lead coming out the bottom at all.

[@GraphicManInnovations]

totally agree and i dont understand why most videos are doing the same mistake and more over naming it dross or impurities! this is lead being oxidized, it will never stop

[@Popgunner101]

Thanks for your video. I prefer to connect my sprues. They come off better as one piece and I don't have to pick them off one by one ever.

[@TATVCanada]

I do the same thing when casting buckshot.

[@AMX86]

Clear and well presented. Good point of view for video. Thanks.

[@petercarlisle2927]

Glasses. One thing you left out. I use a full face shield aswell. Very good video.

[@TATVCanada]

That's a good point; I wear glasses normally so it never occurs to me ha ha.

[@petercarlisle2927]

@@TATVCanada I would be in the same boat. Many think it's optional tho, until a trip to A and E lol

[@robertpagel8951]

Good call Peter. I made the change to a face shield myself. Second year into the hobby I had a piece fly past my safety glasses into the corner of my eye and let's say my eye bothered me for a week. Got lucky in the end.

[@petercarlisle2927]

@@robertpagel8951 very lucky

[@FullLeadTaco]

found this video from your post on the reloaders network.

[@TATVCanada]

You mean you haven't watched each and every one of my videos already, FLT? I am crushed, Sir!

[@FullLeadTaco]

lol not all of them... YET

[@FullLeadTaco]

I will say though, I was totally surprised when I saw your one video melting lead with a hot plate. I've never done that before and didn't know you could do it.

[@TATVCanada]

It's mainly a convenience thing; I can work all day without having to worry about running out of propane.

[@samsonuriah9651]

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[@jamirayden532]

@Samson Uriah instablaster :)

[@samsonuriah9651]

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[@samsonuriah9651]

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[@ErikKaiserprotongeek]

Love the video. What I would like to know is how do I take lead bullets to the next level ? Whats that you ask ? Simple FMJ. How do I create FMJ rounds ?

[@TATVCanada]

You'd need a swaging system to make the jackets, with additional dies for the cores.

[@wemcal]

Great video and great information

[@TATVCanada]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ByDuckHuNteR48_09]

HEALTH LOOKS GREAT ON YOUR HAND. WHAT IS THE WHITE SUBSTANCE YOU PUT IN THE LEAD?

[@TATVCanada]

Wax; it's used to flux.

[@jcfarmer5479]

Quenching bullets is conditional to what you intend to use them for. It surface hardens the bullet making it prone to shattering on impact with a dense object.

[@shockwave6213]

Sounds like the perfect way to make ammo for plinking steel. Like frangible ammo that cuts out the chance for ricochet.

[@woodrowcall3158]

The bullet I cast most is a .358 158gr SWC that I powder coat. No quenching or linotype, I just run with whatever alloy I end up with from my wheel weights and scrap. My .357mag hand-loads from an 18” carbine are hitting around 1,600fps, and my .38spl loads are about 1,000fps. I’ve brought down a couple deer and several hogs with both loads. They penetrate deep and hold together well. One bullet I recovered retained 152grs after striking a leg bone on a medium (≈150lb) hog. The powder coat holds up pretty well and the bullets tend to flatten out to about +10% diameter. Nothing ground breaking, but they reliably put meat in the freezer.

[@aolinger680]

4:13 quenching pure lead does nothing for hardness, nothing except allow you to handle them sooner or prevent deformation. Quenching for hardness only works for antimony containing alloys.

[@JayKayKay7]

Things I need to get: Filter mask and quench bucket. Does it really have to be beeswax wax or will any wax candle do? Thanks. Nice video.

[@TATVCanada]

I'd use paraffin just because it's cheaper.

[@556suppressor]

Do you just leave the lead in the pot when you are all done? Then heat it up the next time you need to melt some ?

[@TATVCanada]

Yes indeed I do. Aside from being convenient, it also protects the inside of the pot, as well as the nozzle and valve from corrosion when not in use.

[@KS-zr5og]

Do you have a preference between an aluminum or a brass Mold? Thanks for the great video!

[@TATVCanada]

I'll take brass every time if it's an option. Best of both worlds in terms of strength/durability and corrosion resistance.

[@Soccereddie]

How do you get that steady flow of lead, does that pot always have to be that full? And when would be the perfect season for melting lead other than summer?

[@TATVCanada]

I've never really had a problem with it before; I just use standard wheelweight alloy and that seems to work for me. Regarding season, it's really hard to say without knowing what kind of climate you're in. Here in Ontario I find Summer the easiest (for obvious reasons)-- but I often cast in Spring and Fall just because I find the hot weather unpleasant to work in.

[@Soccereddie]

TATV Canada I finally got a chance to take it apart again after having it leak out from the side of the spout for a second time, noticed the spout was really clogged, so followed up by heating the spout with a torch and cleaning out the spout with a paper clip, a lot of crud came out. After putting it all back together, gave it another try, and boom it flowed just as seen your video. Thanks for the update 👍.

[@joeeckley5272]

The perfect season for melting lead, I can say I've never heard such an idiotic question-- you must have asked that, right after you voted for Hillary!

[@Soccereddie]

Joe Eckley hey, when your a noobie anything goes right, and for your information no I didn’t vote. Politics isn’t my strong topic as it’s all corrupt no matter which way you see it.

[@ironbomb6753]

@@Soccereddie no, its not all corrupt. You've fallen for the anti Liberty propaganda. And here you are, reloading ammo and you dont care about politics. You better make a strong suit if you want to continue to enjoy your firearms. Fukken wow🤔

[@Kamal_AL-Hinai]

Awesome video very well done!

[@TATVCanada]

Thank you, sir.

[@imcrazyforwar]

where can we buy that exact mold handle? all the one's i find only let you do 2-3 at a time

[@TATVCanada]

Lee Precision.

[@mckinzey62]

Great video. Thanks.

[@robjohnson212]

You never explained the need of the candle. Is that what you use to coat the cast with smoke, after heating it?

[@TATVCanada]

Yes; it's optional, but some folks feel smoking the nould cavities helps bullet drop.

[@robjohnson212]

@@TATVCanada OK, Thank you Sir.

[@haroldlundberg5676]

The main use is to place a small chunk into the melted lead mixture and stir it in. This causes impurities to float to the top for removal with the spoon or dipped. There are also commercial fluxes available.

[@kevind7617]

Bees wax.. or even sawdust will work.. makes the crud come to the top so you can spoon it off

[@Ludamus]

@@haroldlundberg5676 would borax also work for this or is that for hotter metals?

[@canadianguy1232]

Are you able you use this same process with different metals like copper or silver

[@TATVCanada]

You would need a melting pot and mould capable of higher temperatures. Those would be some expensive bullets.

[@DevilBirdProductions]

silver? you got a werewolf problem up there?

[@ajaysharma-zd3fh]

Can we cast lead use in cars balancing weights with insert molding ? If yes can you share your molds details and sizes in mm. Thanks with regards Ajaysharma Sepdcmoulds 🙏

[@TATVCanada]

Yes you can; take a look at this video for some additional information. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/poXIoWRtrM18jsU As for the mould sizes in mm, you would need to do your own research.

[@showproja]

Your water is too deep. It will splash into your mold as you drop your shot. Shallow water with a towel works best. Also, learn to pour your cavities continuously, rather than stopping between each one. Then drop the whole sprue strip back in the pot with a tap on the mold. Also, I hope that table is much sturdier than it looks. Molten lead doesn't play.

[@TATVCanada]

I've been casting for about 20 years so I'm pretty satisfied with my results thanks.

[@robertfrapples2472]

@@TATVCanada You professional experts kill me. Truth is, you pour like a newb, especially for someone with 20 years experience. I had 20 years experience 20 years ago. Use a riser (a piece of 2x4 works perfectly) and drag your mold, don't suspend it. Only women and children stop between holes. Also, you should have learned that water quenching adds negligible hardness to pure lead. It has to have alloy to have any serious change in Brinell Hardness #.

[@robertpagel8951]

John, actually thats not good practice sticking sprue back into the pot with each cast. You are asking for a accident to happen and jumping your molten lead tempature all over the place. Keeping the pot tempature stable during the pour making it easier to determine if your mold is getting to hot. Sprue buttons or trying to continuous pour to make one sprue really doesn't matter.

[@Race353]

Make sure you keep cleaning off the top while you draining the completely clean lead from the bottom ..... because reasons.

[@TATVCanada]

Alloys separate when heated, which is why you stir them to keep them mixed. You clean off the top because you don't want to mix dirt and oxidized metal back into that alloy.

[@ThePeterDislikeShow]

How pure is the lead you're using? The yellow stuff floating on top looks like bismuth oxides.

[@TATVCanada]

Not at all pure; this is wheel weight alloy so God only knows.

[@ThePeterDislikeShow]

@@TATVCanada Wow looks like there's some good bismuth in there. Where are you getting wheel weights?

[@TATVCanada]

@@ThePeterDislikeShow Typically I call around to my local tire shops and offer to by them by the lb.

[@ThePeterDislikeShow]

@@TATVCanada Wow. I only want the ones that are bismuth though. By the way are you sure it's lead you're getting and not bismuth? Lead is mostly banned in a lot of places.

[@TATVCanada]

@@ThePeterDislikeShow 100% the bulk of them are lead. They're very soft, and everything else floats to the top. All these years later and it still weirds me out seeing steel and zinc "float". Yes the lead ww are fewer and fewer. Ten years ago id say 80% of what I got was lead. Probably closer to 60% now.

[@thewolfhunter]

I put a piece of candle wax from a long dinner candle smaller than the one you put in and it caught fire...I am I using the wrong candle?

[@TATVCanada]

That happens sometimes; try smaller pieces and you should be fine.

[@charlescho7989]

Great information, thanks.

[@TATVCanada]

Thank you sir.

[@djp1941]

Can you do this with other materials besides lead?

[@TATVCanada]

The only other metal I've ever heard of people casting is zinc, but that's considerably harder than lead and sounds like a great way to ruin the barrels rifling to me.

[@djp1941]

@@TATVCanada I'm not an expert in any way regarding firearms or munitions but don't armor piercing rounds use bullets made out of steel or tungsten?

[@900stx7]

Couldn't you use a torch to preheat the mold. Pouring and dropping bullets for thirty minutes before you start seeing good bullets seams like a lot of wasted time.

[@TATVCanada]

Really hard on the mould; some folks say it can cause warping.

[@andyrewpantah94]

How would you go about putting a carbide or tungsten core in them?

[@andyrewpantah94]

And copper jacketing too

[@TATVCanada]

Jacketing is done by swaging as opposed to casting. To put the cores you're describing in would be easier to do that way as well, but could potentially be done when casting with a modified mould.

[@andyrewpantah94]

@@TATVCanada 🐐

[@benfrombc]

Can I use aluminum for bullet ?

[@TATVCanada]

I wouldn't.

[@benfrombc]

@@TATVCanada Thanks

[@driftersforge4962]

hey where did you find your round mold, ive been looking almost everywhere for a more than 2 slot one?

[@TATVCanada]

Leeprecision.Com

[@alistaircovax939]

How do you make copper jacketed bullets?

[@TATVCanada]

Swaging.

[@markgoostree6334]

Considering all the gun bans in Canada, is this even viable now? From what I've heard, almost nothing is legal any more.

[@TATVCanada]

So far.

[@jacobgreen6939]

Do you know of any propane bottom pour furnaces?

[@TATVCanada]

Never even heard of one sorry.

[@AudioJeep]

Is it possible to melt lead over a fire on a spoon like in the movie the patriot

[@TATVCanada]

Pure lead, yes.

[@bully_hunter_4206]

Dave Cantebury has videos on exactly that

[@FullLeadTaco]

Where have you been?

[@TATVCanada]

Working on the new house mostly; endless renovations. I got sick with some kind of laryngitis back in March and it appears to have damaged my vocal cords somewhat. It's better than it was, but every time I've gone to record something since it takes a dozen attempts to get a semi-decent narration.

[@daviddoyle9310]

What is that your using to melt the lead?

[@TATVCanada]

Lee Precision lead melter.

[@jacobgreen6939]

How do you swage bullets?

[@TATVCanada]

Check out my video series on that exact activity.

[@sahnorat822]

there was a movie i cant find dude making own bullet with molten lead i think it was wild west movie f. i need to find :(

[@TATVCanada]

Oh you know what, as soon as you said that I remembered it! Was it the Patriot with Mel Gibson? There's a scene where he's melting toy soldiers to make bullets.

[@sahnorat822]

@@TATVCanada nah i know that scene but im talking about Cast bullets not round bullet that guy making molted lead with ingot

[@TATVCanada]

Well nuts, I'm all out of ideas.

[@hvguy]

I don't think I've ever fluxed anything 🤣

[@TATVCanada]

It's not essential, but it does make a difference.

[@kevind7617]

I cast .454 round balls for slingshot hunting ammo and have used sawdust when I didnt have beeswax or a candle.. wax is better but sawdust is better than nothing

[@tomtamblyn1149]

I didn’t see any safety glasses with the equipment…

[@TATVCanada]

I already wear glasses.

[@hidhshsj123]

Just watching this makes my head hurt. I sometimes inhale the smoke not on purpose my set up is less than ideal

[@TATVCanada]

Get a mask, your health is worth the $40.

[@TheLarkinsLair]

A video just like this got me a strike on my channel... :/

[@TATVCanada]

I've had six if it makes you feel any better.

[@kevind7617]

Your lead pot is leaking

[@olhemi1]

🙂👍☕ Nice job

[@TATVCanada]

Thank you sir.

[@journeyquest1]

I thought your Canadian dictators had you guys down to slingshots and bow and arrows? They are trying the same here.

[@TATVCanada]

I'm pretty sure they'd like to see bows and arrows banned too.

[@Suspect002]

Considering that all the bullets I saw in the quenchin hucket are .50 caliber musket loading balls, you're not far off.

[@BigDmike24]

At least Canada has primers. None to be had in the USA! Still wouldn't live in Canada.

[@HONEST__REVIEW]

2:34 this

[@lawrencethemain3343]

i use a plastic spoon, well was...

[@TATVCanada]

lol

[@Airmanmx1]

Hey FBI, I’m here out of pure boredom. I am not writing anything down at all. Nope, not taking notes here. Just watching no note taking.

[@joeeckley5272]

Didn't enjoy the mind-numbing music you deemed necessary to add. Too bad, I'd have liked to watch it otherwise.

[@ohshoot444]

I liked it, reminded me of turok

[@julianmac2117]

1:32 understatement of the millennium

[@giricitycollege6179]

How to get that mould sir