ball moulds

[23590766]

Hello from England. I'm having some trouble navigating the forum as some of the terms used are unfamiliar. I make and supply ball moulds in brass and aluminium. Smallest.25" and largest 4.5". The latter for a mortar. I am thinking of making a mould for hollow hemispheres so that two could be joined to make a hollow ball. This would reduce pressure and save a lot of bullet material. Any feedback would be gratefuly recieved.

 

[musketman]

I am thinking of making a mould for hollow hemispheres so that two could be joined to make a hollow ball. This would reduce pressure and save a lot of bullet material. Any feedback would be gratefuly recieved.

Connect the two hemispheres with a chain and you have a dandy rig cutter...

It can be seen on the trunk...

 

[Stumpkiller]

I don't see much demand unless it would be filled with something.

I guess it depends upon wall thickness, but wouldn't a hollow rifle ball be crushed upon loading, if a tight enough fit, and then further deform/upset on firing?

In shoulder-fired arms I can't see where saving 30% of the lead would be worth losing so much mass/inertia for harvesting game and holding the round ball's minimal ballistic charms as long as possible.

The only advantage I see would be in assembling armed projectiles, and most of the muzzleloaders who would shoot such things are already shunning round balls.

I can see where it would be a great advantage to the small bore cannon owners. Much better than a fruit-can full of cement. :redthumb:

 

[musketman]

I can see where it would be a great advantage to the small bore cannon owners. Much better than a fruit-can full of cement. :redthumb:

Then there is people who will fill the cavity with other substances, such as poisons, drain cleaner or mercury, making a truly killer projectile...

They already do this with hollow-points, why give them a bigger cavity?

 

[mazo kid]

I can speak to the round ball moulds that Jeff makes as I have 4 of them. Even tho he is in England, the turn-around time for delivery is usually less than 2-3 weeks. Prices are reasonable and he will make any size you want. Emery

 

[Kevin M]

Jeff,

Have you ever thought of making a bag mould? You could sell them like hot cakes as I know there is only one maker here in the US that makes a high quality one.
I too have one of your moulds. I would like a bag mould to have in my possibles bag when trekking though.


Kevin

 

[talon]

I have several of your moulds. The craftsmanship is excellent.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Projectiles bordering on destructive devices may be highly frowned upon by ATF.

 

[WTpacker]

A little off-subject, but not far. A friend was having trouble with an unscrupulous operator at a turkey-shoot. The operator used high-strength braided nylon cord on the hamstring cutting line. Well, it would twang and jerk, but you could not cut it. My friend loaded up his 45-70 with a two-fer load, two balls joined together with about four inches of music wire. PRESTO... cut strings. I suppose the same could be done with MLers, but lets not do that in the game-fields. :nono:

 

[tucoblue]

Jeff T,

If you make two hollow halves how do you join them together to make a hollow ball?

 

[bezoar]

most likely solder them together with high lead content solder. or smear hot lead on one half and quick throw the other half on maybe?

 

[CrackStock]

Hello Jeff,

I remember you from when Robin Hewitt gave me your info several years ago. I have one of your moulds and sold several more for you over the years.

I see little use for the two hemis concept. We are not wanting for lead and I am in pursuit of accuracy rather than any savings. Hollow bullets do not offer much to the traditionally minded crowd. I would look for other projects.

A good cutter on your current moulds and a good bag mould would be the two areas that I would explore if I were you. In fact, I am studying the bag mould concept myself since Rapine seems to be winding down.

I wish you the best of luck even if we may be competitors some day.

YMHS,
CrackStock