How to Start a Bullet-Casting Project

Bullet casting must be done with the correct protective gear, the right tools for the job and a knowledge of how to work with molten metals and lead. This should be done with care. Learn about the right tools and how to start a bullet-casting project.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Table (nonflammable surface)
• Small lead precision electric furnace
• Bullet mold
• Small ladle
• Lead substance to melt
• Respirator
• Safety glasses

1. Set up a safe space for your bullet-casting project. This should include a table, without flammable materials on it, such as a paper coating, plastic surface or other material that could be damaged, catch on fire or melt during the process. You must be in an open environment. This is not only to avoid a fire hazard but also to allow the chemicals to dissipate in the air, not into your lungs.
2. Gather the tools you will need for the project. These include a small lead precision electric furnace plugged into a reliable power source, a bullet mold for the size of bullets you will be casting, a small ladle for filling the molds with the molten lead, a lead substance to melt down and use, a respirator and safety glasses.
3. Lay out the items on the table in an organized fashion for you to find what you need quickly. The electric furnace should be away from the other items in case of splattering. Preheat the electric furnace to 6 or so; the lead should not get too hot or too cool. Allow lead to become molten; this should be some lead from a basic source.
4. Drop the ingot, which is a bar of blended lead alloy, into the preheated furnace. The furnace should already have molten lead in it, from another source. If you don't have lead to melt, use ball bearings from an automotive store.