I'm gonna cast my own bullets! Wait..whut?

[OldCannon]

So, I got a "cant pass up" deal on a .58 cal C.S. Richmond rifled musket (you know: *click* *sizzle* *boom* *fire* *smoke* *recoil*). The bad news is that I thought I could find .58 minie balls at Cabelas in Buda. Nope. So now I'm looking at a) purchasing online at about .50 per bullet plus shipping (that should be a hoot), or b) going off the deep end and casting my own bullets.

I found a source for lead ingots in Austin, so that works out nicely, but I have no clue how to cast bullets or what minimal gear I need (outside of the standard protective equipment, I think I need just a simple elevated production pot and mould). I know this likely isn't the right forum, but was curious if anybody in the Austin area had experiences with casting that they could share with me.

[OldCannon]

Just check the rifle's rate-of-twist FIRST to make sure that the rifle's rate-of-twist (1 rotation of the projectile per so many inches of barrel) prefers round ball as opposed to conicals or sabots. General rules-of-thumb regarding smokepole barrels and their preferred bullet types:

1 in 28" twist rate (fast twist) barrel: Use conicals and sabot bullets - bad for round ball.

1 in 48" (medium twist) barrel: Will handle most types adequately.

1 in 66" (slow twist) barrel: Best for round ball - bad for conicals/sabots.

This is inconsistent with my knowledge and experience. Civil War muskets ranged from 1:44 to 1:78 twist rates, many use Minie balls for their ammunition. In fact, if you assume an average length of .75" for a Minie bullet, the Greenhill Formula would tell you that the "optimal" twist rate is about 1:67 for a .58 caliber round, and 1:66 was the most common twist (as is this musket I'm getting).

Twist rate, especially with BP, is a funny thing. I have a lot of experience with different twist rates with ball shot (I shoot flintlocks often), but not so much with conicals (borrowing percussion muskets mostly). Perhaps the experience I have when I try the musket with conicals and ball shot will correlate with your rule of thumb, but the existing math and my prior experience say otherwise. In either case, I look forward to conducting exhaustive research to see what the data says

And Andy, I'm not harshin on ya -- I am grateful for the interesting links you posted and your recommendation!

[Jumping Frog]

Your best source for casting info will be over at http://castboolits.gunloads.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[OldCannon]

Your best source for casting info will be over at http://castboolits.gunloads.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks, JF -- I managed to stumble over there last night and already posted a similar question there!

[Griz44]

I am in the Austin area and cast my own bullets for a lot of my loadings.
I would be happy to show you the ropes and help you get set up, or you are welcome to come here on casting days and cast a batch yourself.
I have several hundred pounds of lead, and 2 casting pots.
I do not have a mold for that ball, but if you get a mold, you will be set.

[OldCannon]

You're my hero, griz! I'll send you a PM! Thanks!

[dnavaille]

Check out Cast Boolits forum.

[OldCannon]

Check out Cast Boolits forum.

yup, Jumping Frog suggested that a few posts ago

[dnavaille]

Yes he did, old eyes did not see it!