.25 slug molds

[Mr.P]

I did my first try at casting today.  Got about 60 slugs in the little time I had.  Not bad!  Shot at 52 fpe out of my talon p with the power wheel at 4 or 5.  A little over 700 FPS each pellet is about 3.05 grams, plus or minus .03 grams.  I guess this is kind of slow... not sure how much of a problem that will be.  Maybe it was foolish to choose this weight and design of slug?  Options were limited in .25


Some were quite snug in the barrel, others a little looser.  They have a little boat tail so I guess a snug fit with those drive bands is critical. 

I don’t have a large enough range to test their accuracy but I can hit things fine at 10-15 m in my garage.  Obviously these are not going to be what i will be shooting indoors...

Casting was easy once the mold heated up.  Generally 6-7 of the 8 cavities would fill right.  The ones near the edges of the blocks cool faster and are less reliable than the 4 or 6 cavity on the interior that hold heat better.  I was skeptical that the 8 cavity mold would work but it actually does and I felt like production went quickly because of it.  There are a few in the picture that are wrinkly from when the mold was just getting warm I guess.  Quite a few seem close to perfect.  I was expecting the weights to vary more but all are within maybe 0.05 grams.  No idea if that is good or bad or average.

[Mr.P]

Here are some closeups.  I found this mold at MP molds in their .25 airgun section. They shipped quickly. 

[triggertreat]

Here are some closeups.  I found this mold at MP molds in their .25 airgun section. They shipped quickly.

Do you have a link to this mold?  Also, what weight is it?  I wouldn't mind finding a good .25 or .30 cal slug mold to play with.

Typically you'll want to test slugs at higher velocities and at longer ranges.  Sizing them to your bore helps find the best speed and accuracy for them.  I have been sizing pellets and am seeing good consistency doing so.

[Mr.P]

They weigh about 3.06 grams.  They fit nicely in the TalonP .25”LW barrel.  Takes a little pressure to seat them.  As you can see they have a “drive band” at the tail end - designed with air rifles in mind I believe... they have less contact than a typical slug.  When that drive band doesn’t form properly the pellets are loose like rws superdomes. 

https://www.mp-molds.com/product-category/molds/air-rifle-molds/

They are sold out of this mold in .25 but have a couple in .22

[Madd Hatter]

If you want to know if they will shoot out of your rifle before you buy the mould buy some Varmint Knockers off eBay. They are cast from the MP mould. I believe they come in at 48-49 grains.

[Mr.P]

Don’t see them on eBay but 47-48 grains is correct.

[Madd Hatter]

https://m.ebay.com/itm/25-CAL-CAST-PELLETS-47-GRAIN-100-COUNT-FROM-VARMINTKNOCKERS-/254027435056?ul_ref=https%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F711-53200-19255-0%2F1%3Ficep_ff3%3D2%26pub%3D5574933636%26toolid%3D10001%26campid%3D5337464680%26customid%3D%26mpre%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww%252Eebay%252Ecom%252Fitm%252F25-CAL-CAST-PELLETS-47-GRAIN-100-COUNT-FROM-VARMINTKNOCKERS-%252F254027435056%26srcrot%3D711-53200-19255-0%26rvr_id%3D2505852115512%26rvr_ts%3D2f17975f1730a6e559462383ffd65af0&_mwBanner=1&_rdt=1&ul_noapp=true

[Mr.P]

That’s weird.  Thought I typed in every combination of varmint, knocker, and .25.  Maybe one word... “varmintknocker”?

[triggertreat]

Thanks Robert!  That's a good option to try.  They are a bit heavy if seeking best trajectory in caliber, and are missing the HP.  Two strikes from ideal, but one of few options for molds available for testing first.

[Mr.P]

These behave quite differently from anything else I have shot with the TalonP.  At 10-15m these bullets are way more penetrative and destructive than the other slugs and pellets I have. I can see why cautioning people to be sensible with these types of projectiles is wise. 
 

I have a plasticine clay ball that will stop all other pellets shot at any power out of the TalonP.  These plow through it an hit HARD on the other end, hard enough to flatten and partially shatter.  I added another 2” of clay.  Right through. 
 

likewise a hard cover (old edition) math textbook that stops everything else cold.  Never been able to get a slug or pellet all the way through.  These go right through and out the other side, even near the spine, again retaining much energy and smashing things on the other side.
 

I have been trying to capture a fired slug using clay and foam – what works for any other projectile – and have not been able to stop them without something like a steel plate or a log. 

[Madd Hatter]

Thanks Robert!  That's a good option to try.  They are a bit heavy if seeking best trajectory in caliber, and are missing the HP.  Two strikes from ideal, but one of few options for molds available for testing first.

You can always send the mould in and have it hp. I'm planning on sending in an arsenal mould I have.

[Mr.P]

Can you tell me more? So I could get this mold modified to make hollow point versions of these slugs?  Where do you send it?  Tempting, as it would get the weight down a little bit.

[rintafile]

I have been trying to capture a fired slug using clay and foam – what works for any other projectile – and have not been able to stop them without something like a steel plate or a log.

If you have a big barrel full of water that do job to stop slugs or bullets and you can collect those from bottom.

To get your mold to HP mold...
http://www.hollowpointmold.com

I think it this place.... But I'm not sure...maybe someone can verify..

[Madd Hatter]

That's the place

[Mr.P]

Not cheap - $75 per cavity!  I’m sure there’s a reason but any thoughtS of getting this done to my 8-cavity mold just went out the window. 

[Madd Hatter]

Why would you need to do all 8 cavities? Gives you the option of a HP or round nose slug.

[triggertreat]

Not cheap - $75 per cavity!  I’m sure there’s a reason but any thoughtS of getting this done to my 8-cavity mold just went out the window.

That's exactly why I want to get one mold right to begin with.  Even at that, It will take a lot of casting hours to make up the cost of a mold and all that goes with it verses just buying slugs.

[Mr.P]

Why would you need to do all 8 cavities? Gives you the option of a HP or round nose slug.

Accidentally double posted

[Mr.P]

Why would you need to do all 8 cavities? Gives you the option of a HP or round nose slug.

I wouldn’t... especially if the option existed to modify just one or two cavities, which it sounds like is an option

[Madd Hatter]

As far as making up the cost of the mould, just recycle the lead. Then it just costs your time and electricity. For me being retarded er retired and having solar for power it's a no brainier. Plus, when the stores run out of pellets/slugs you won't.