Brass Fireforming With Cast Bullets?

Muddyboots

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So with components still short supply. I was wondering about using cast bullet for first new brass firing to set brass to chamber? More as curiosity. Anyone doing this? I prefer to have 1X firing on brass for my "good stuff".
 
If you want a leaded bore, then go for it.

If I want fireformed brass, I either fire new brass for seating depth tests, powder and primer combos and bullet tests.
If I'm not doing that and I want fireformed brass, then I do COW method, bullets going down the bore take life away, fireforming with COW is less drastic on a barrel than full pressure loads and bullets.

Cheers.
 
I was curious if someone had a magic elixir that would address leading. Powder coating etc. COW works but just looking for other options.Paper patching?
 
It takes pressure to stretch brass. Take that in to account..... Can you build enough pressure with cast bullets, even with gas checks? I don't know what you're trying to fire form, but Ackley Improved are "prairie dog" accurate just fire forming cases.
 
Just a random thought to "see" if someone has come up with unique means other "normal" just shooting the brass. I keep some cup n core for this to save my Hammers but even they are getting scarce.

You know in "unprecedented" times. 🤮
 
I have never had an issue fireforming my brass with COW, it gets the job done without fuss…if I could, I would shoot them off while watching tv!
We put an old bed sheet up once and fired the loads at the sheet, there was a fine powdered paper 'splotch' and nothing else visible from about 10' away. Other than the noise drowning out the tv, it would be soothing!

Cheers.
 
I have never had an issue fireforming my brass with COW, it gets the job done without fuss…if I could, I would shoot them off while watching tv!
We put an old bed sheet up once and fired the loads at the sheet, there was a fine powdered paper 'splotch' and nothing else visible from about 10' away. Other than the noise drowning out the tv, it would be soothing!

Cheers.
I might get off one round before wife would STRONGLY suggest, oh wait, DEMAND "W-T-H" are you doing!
 
So with components still short supply. I was wondering about using cast bullet for first new brass firing to set brass to chamber? More as curiosity. Anyone doing this? I prefer to have 1X firing on brass for my "good stuff".
I've not actually fire-formed with cast, but, do shoot cast through my .375 AI!
If you can get powder coated bullets......leading is a non-issue! If you have a nice, slick barrel ( not rough, or pitted) then you'll be fine with any decent, fairly hard, gas checked cast bullet.... assuming that the bullet is a thousandth or 2 larger than your bore diameter!

A heavy for caliber bullet pushed to 1200 to 1500 fps with a moderately fast powder should do quite well with your fire-forming!

I've shot a lot of cast bullets through many of our rifles with no ill effects! I'm presently running my homegrown, cast, powder coated, gas checked 430 grain bullets through my 45-70 @ 1790 with no fouling while getting 5 shot groups under 1 1/2" @ 100 yards! memtb
 
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THIS ⬆️⬆️⬆️!! Are you PC in wife's oven? Or using small tabletop? Just curious. I tried to heat treat some PC jigs in oven and DANG!

No.....I actually bought an old electric stove, which is "resting comfortably", out in the pole barn! 😁 I do the casting and the powder coating out there!

Many people buy a little inexpensive toaster oven, which is easly put anywhere you want to do the coating! memtb
 
What PC do you use? I have lots of different colors for jigs but not sure would hold up.

I'm presently using powders by Powder by the Pound! However, I have problems with the black that I choose for one of my bullets! I'm using the TGIC Weather Resistant series of powders.

If you go to the Cast Boolit Forum, there is more info than you can imagine! Here's a little information to get you on the road to needing physiological help! 😁 memtb

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sh...List-What-powders-work-and-what-powders-don-t
 
Here is a good article on fire forming brass without a bullet that I have used before. I make some minor modifications like using a veggie wad or card board cut out from cereal box. I seal with candle wax.
 
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