doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Old Bullets,

My late friend Ken cast, sized and lubed these bullets back on March 14, 1977. I thought it was interesting that they still shot so well. I've shot some of mine that have been several years old but nothing like this.

I am interested in the shelf life of cast (or swaged) bullets. Many experienced cast bullet shooters are of the opinion that cast bullets must be "fresh", cast not more than a few days before shooting, or such shooting is a waste of time. Storage conditions are obviously major factors. These were stored more than 32 years. How were these bullets stored? The finish appears shiny? Was the bullet cleaned up before photography?

Richard

Nice groups for cast bullets, but how far, was it the standard 100 yds. ?.
ST

I've been shooting similar groups @ 100 yds for the last 40 years with various calibers and all iron sighted guns (bench rest)....my cast bullets are linotype only, 45-70, 38-55, 32-40, 30-40, .348, various .30's, .32 WCF, .32 Spl , .338 and so on..up to 2400 FPS......hunt with the hollow points which work quite well.....known as the old 'Express Bullet'...been collecting bullet moulds for over 40 years....the old Ideal's, Winchester and Marlin moulds (made by Ideal in the 1800's).....I've got quite a few now and really enjoy casting....

Lots of shooting required to work up just the right load with the just the right cast bullet for each barrel, but the dividends are outstanding.....

I've shot many that have been loaded for over 4 years, with no adverse effects....??? ..I frequently shoot a single shot Whitney-Laidley RB in .30 U.S. that shoots almost same hole at 100 yds with my cast gas checks.........all reloading and storage is done in a climate controlled atmosphere, not in a garage or shed......

Good group on the pie plate....keep it going.....

Best Regards,

Lead alloys with antimony will age harden, increasing by up to 50% over several days. If the alloy is quench hardened it will slowly soften with age. Lead tin alloys are stable though 10% alloys will soften slightly with age. If your rifle is sensitive to alloy hardness and you are using a antimony bearing alloy the change in hardness with time could certainly affect accuracy.

Jerry Liles

As long as the subject is old bullets... found among my late friend Zeke's paraphernalia.

The three on the left are still intact, the three on the right had the paper crack and the powder spilled out.

The bullets have an OD of .577", are .965" long and weigh 32 grams, 1.129oz., 493 grains.

I assume these are large caliber Minie Balls, Civil War era or later?

Yep, Civil War issue. Insanely valuable. Survival rate is almost nonexistent. (They didn't use archival grade paper when they were made.) I paid $60 for an intact one 10 years ago and was glad to get it. I've seen them go for $100 apiece lately. I wouldn't let them roll around in a wooden box and risk further deterioration.