Brass / steel bag mold?

[running horse]

Does any one know if there is much of a difference in using a steel bag mold over a brass bag mold? I am sure they both get really hot after a few castings. Also which came first? And when did they start phasing from one type to the other. Thanks for your help

 

[F.G. Ford]

Which came first, the chicken or the egg.
If you must get a bag mold, a steel one will serve you better.
It does not cook your hand as easily as a brass one will.
The brass molds are more fragile.
Which casts better balls ??? Your call.
Fred

 

[necchi]

when did they start phasing from one type to the other.

Old Ford kinda said it.
It would have been about who made the mold and how they where set up,
Brass would have been easier and cheaper, with the steel being more expensive and requiring different equipment.
I'm pretty sure they where both made in the same era's,, I mean they didn't all start using brass, then everyone change to steel,,
Know what I mean?

 

[running horse]

Makes sense the and for you help guys.

 

[Rifleman1776]

The advantage of brass is that it will burn your hands much faster than the iron. :shocked2: :rotf:

 

[CrackStock]

Actually, I have found that my brass handles do transfer the heat farther up toward my hands much quicker than my steel ones do.

But if pure tradition is the goal, soapstone is an option often overlooked.

 

[running horse]

Soapstone is an option but not always easy to get out here I would have to find some place to order it from but I have been thinking about it for shot.

 

[MC One Shot]

The advantage of brass is that it will burn your hands much faster than the iron. :shocked2: :rotf:

:thumbsup: I see that you have tried both... :hatsoff: :rotf:

 

[George]

The advantage of brass is that it will burn your hands much faster than the iron. :shocked2: :rotf:

Swaged balls are available from Hornady for those who can't figure out how to keep from burning their fingers on a bag mould. :haha: :haha:



Spence

 

[George]

But if pure tradition is the goal, soapstone is an option often overlooked.

Another option is lead.

Spence

 

[Rifleman1776]

The advantage of brass is that it will burn your hands much faster than the iron. :shocked2: :rotf:

:thumbsup: I see that you have tried both... :hatsoff: :rotf:

Actually I have never cast with a bag mould. But I do know the difference between brass and iron/steel heat transfer. :v

 

[coloradoclyde]

Swaged balls are available from Hornady for those who can't figure out how to keep from burning their fingers on a bag mould.

:rotf: :rotf:

 

[necchi]

Another option is lead.
Spence

Lead? It'd be a slow process and take a lot of soot!

 

[Billnpatti]

I used to have one of each. They both heat up so fast that I can't tell the difference. I didn't use them much because of the fact that they would burn your hands. I traded the .40 cal brass one but still have the .36 cal steel one. I don't use it, I just have it. Either one will cast good balls if they are made well but a bag mold was never intended for casting a bunch of balls at one sitting. The ladles that they melted their lead in did not hold much lead and you could cast only a few balls from one ladleful anyway.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Ya! that has me scratchin my head too.... :idunno:

 

[George]

Like this:

The Pennsylvania Gazette
January 5, 1748
From the GENERAL MAGAZINE. A New Method of making BULLET MOULDS.

"THE Badness of the Bullet Moulds brought into America for common Sale, and the Difficulty of meeting with one of them, bad as they are, that will fit one's Gun , will render the following Invention, for making (easily) true and exact Bullet Moulds, agreeable to all Lovers of good Shooting. First provide yourself with two Pieces of Lead about an Inch and Half, or two Inches Square, and half as thick, and smooth their Faces, so that when joined they may make near a Cube; then get some Marbles (such as Boys play with) from the smallest to the Size that fits your Gun, oyl or grease the Marbles and Lead well; and with the Assistance of a Smith's Vyce, with two flat Pieces of Iron in the Chaps of it, press the two Pieces of Lead with the smallest Marble between, till the Marble be quite sank in the Lead; then put in the next greater, always remembering to keep the Lead and Marbles well oyl'd do thus successively, till you have brought it to the Size you want: And, to prevent the Bullets having Edges, smooth the Faces of the Mould, and press in the same Marbles several Times, by which Means you may make Moulds of wonderful Exactness. Then cut a Gate and fit the Corner with Pins, to keep the Pieces in a proper Position for casting. When you use it, smoke it well, and take Care the melted Lead be not so hot as to burn Paper."

:haha:

Spence

 

[MC One Shot]

The advantage of brass is that it will burn your hands much faster than the iron. :shocked2: :rotf:

:thumbsup: I see that you have tried both... :hatsoff: :rotf:

Actually I have never cast with a bag mould. But I do know the difference between brass and iron/steel heat transfer. :v

I dont think I could tell the difference cuz the pain seemed the same..

 

[CrackStock]

But if pure tradition is the goal, soapstone is an option often overlooked.

Another option is lead.

Spence

Been reading your stuff for a long time and learned a lot, but I was surprised to know how one casts lead ball from a mold made of lead.
Thanks!

 

[coloradoclyde]

Like this:

The Pennsylvania Gazette
January 5, 1748
From the GENERAL MAGAZINE. A New Method of making BULLET MOULDS.

"THE Badness of the Bullet Moulds brought into America for common Sale, and the Difficulty of meeting with one of them, bad as they are, that will fit one's Gun , will render the following Invention, for making (easily) true and exact Bullet Moulds, agreeable to all Lovers of good Shooting. First provide yourself with two Pieces of Lead about an Inch and Half, or two Inches Square, and half as thick, and smooth their Faces, so that when joined they may make near a Cube; then get some Marbles (such as Boys play with) from the smallest to the Size that fits your Gun, oyl or grease the Marbles and Lead well; and with the Assistance of a Smith's Vyce, with two flat Pieces of Iron in the Chaps of it, press the two Pieces of Lead with the smallest Marble between, till the Marble be quite sank in the Lead; then put in the next greater, always remembering to keep the Lead and Marbles well oyl'd do thus successively, till you have brought it to the Size you want: And, to prevent the Bullets having Edges, smooth the Faces of the Mould, and press in the same Marbles several Times, by which Means you may make Moulds of wonderful Exactness. Then cut a Gate and fit the Corner with Pins, to keep the Pieces in a proper Position for casting. When you use it, smoke it well, and take Care the melted Lead be not so hot as to burn Paper."

:haha:

Spence

OHHHHHHHHH! I'm going to try that.... :thumbsup: :hatsoff:

 

[George]

Everything new is old again.
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/254433/fromsearch/1/tp/1/

Spence