Plier Style Bullet Mould?

[Greebe]

I was looking at Track for moulds and ran across these.

Anyone have any experience with these? I have always used modern moulds but think this is kind of cool for staying with the period.

Thanks

 

[bpd303]

I have a couple, they are called bag molds. Not the most friendly to use (get really hot quick) but the ball's are acceptable with mine.

 

[Wes/Tex]

When i started casting, I had an original marked "13"...obviously balls per pound. Worked like a champ in my old M.1809/39 Potsdam musket. Have to admit my casting set up was a #303 can with a bend lip for pouring and a set of pliers to pick the can up off Moms gas stove. Also used an asbestos heating pad, so who knows what'll get me first! :wink: Wrap the handles with leather of rags...muy caliente! :thumbsup:

 

[Many Klatch]

Straighten the handles out and slip corncobs on them if you are going to cast more than 4 or 5 ball at a time.

 

[Rifleman1776]

"cool" is the last thing they are.
Hand burners for sure. But, some like them because they are considered sorta hc/pc.

 

[azmntman]

Hand burners for sure. = AK47 shot by a muzzleloader addict ( I Always end up putting the butt on my shoe and grab the barrel!) Hate em :cursing: ff

 

[Greebe]

Hehe, that is a good one.

 

[Billnpatti]

They are good for show and tell and you can cast a very few balls with one before the handles get too hot to hold. I have one that I picked up at a gun show. I tried it once and now just keep it for show and tell. I have a friend who has one and carries it to rendezvous but he straightened out the handles and drives corn cobs onto the ends of the handles so he can cast more than 5 or 6 balls at a time. If you need something for your bag for rendezvous or other reenacting, this mold will do the trick. but, if you are wanting a mold that will allow you to cast a bunch of balls at a time, forget this mold and get a Lee mold. Lee makes a very good mold at a very reasonable price.

 

[George]

I have a steel bag mold by Rapine and a brass one by Dixie. Both cast acceptable balls for hunting. I've wrapped the handles with leather, and that pretty well solves the hot handle problem. I have used them to run ball on a trek, and then for hunting, just as an educational exercise, but I use modern block molds for casting my balls.





Spence

 

[jamesthomas]

They are O.K. if you just want to make a few balls while camping out or doing the rondy scene. If you plan on making a couple hundred at a time get a Lee mold.

 

[necchi]

Just a heads up, TOW has been selling those at a discount for years now,, for a bag mold it's OK,, but the ball they cast are far from what one would consider decent cast ball
aka; Junk.
If you want something to mess around with in camp or as a demonstration it's close to a period item,, if you want to cast ball for actual and practical use go with the LEE.

 

[Greebe]

Thanks guys for the comments and pictures.

Mostly I just think they are kind of cool, ah neat :blah: , and would be kind of fun to use it to cast a few bullets over a fire.

I also was thinking with the mould and this little ladle would make a neat little setup.

Besides casting really slow with this setup would make me more careful about not loosing my bullets after shooting. Hehe. :grin:

I could play a game with myself where I get 10 bullets to start, then after shooting, I have to go find them and recast them for more shooting. I could see how long I could keep shooting like this and I would save lead in the process. :youcrazy:

I might just have come up with a new forum game. :shocked2:

 

[Wes/Tex]

I might just have come up with a new forum game. :shocked2:

Yeah, let's just not call it "Trying to find my balls"! O.K.? :wink: :rotf:

All seriousness aside, the folding lead dipper is an interesting toy and would look good with a bag mold. You might get hollered at by the PC/HC police, I have no idea how "authentic" the folding dipper is but really don't care...I have my own definition of what PC is! :haha:

 

[Greebe]

I might just have come up with a new forum game. :shocked2:

Yeah, let's just not call it "Trying to find my balls"! O.K.? :wink: :rotf:

All seriousness aside, the folding lead dipper is an interesting toy and would look good with a bag mold. You might get hollered at by the PC/HC police, I have no idea how "authentic" the folding dipper is but really don't care...I have my own definition of what PC is! :haha:

Haha, that is awesome. Yep the combination of the mould and lead dipper would make a cool little set up for recasting bullets when out on a trip.

 

[George]

From _The Longhunter's Sketchbook_, Dr. James A Hanson_, an 18th-century example:



Spence

 

[Wes/Tex]

Thanks guy...thought I'd seen that sort of set up somewhere but couldn't find it easily. You're turning into one great revealer on information! :thumbsup: Saved me having to repost my gun sop sign version of the definition of PCness! :haha:

 

[54ball]

I have one and have used one, I cast about 70 or so in one session with about 20 rejects.
Is as accurate as anything through my 28 bore. I killed a deer with one of those balls last year.