pellet making

[lbl25a]

I used to cast all my own bullets when I had a .45 colt 1911 and still have the equipment. I have LEM Spitzer moulds in .22 and .25 but have never got any accuracy out of them. I think that the shape of the bullet is wrong.
I have thought of modifying the LEM moulds to form a boat tailed bullet but not tried it yet.
Tony

[Mof]

I also have a lem spitser mould in .22, I have made different brass heads for it in about 3/8" dia ball for catapult ammo also I made .177 heads for it, but the .177 was not very good. I can still put the .22 spitzer head back on it so its various calibre s all in one. accuracy was ok although looking through the scope the pellets seemed to spriral towards the target yet still seems ok. the back of the spitzer pellet is reasonably flat and shiny so when you are shooting away from the sun its like a tracer. No I am not selling it.

[lbl25a]

I also have a lem spitser mould in .22, I have made different brass heads for it in about 3/8" dia ball for catapult ammo also I made .177 heads for it, but the .177 was not very good. I can still put the .22 spitzer head back on it so its various calibre s all in one. accuracy was ok although looking through the scope the pellets seemed to spriral towards the target yet still seems ok. the back of the spitzer pellet is reasonably flat and shiny so when you are shooting away from the sun its like a tracer. No I am not selling it.

What sort of accuracy did you get with .22 Spitzer? What barrel? I was thinking of keeping the front part of the mould and making a new rear to give a longer bullet. It would be a lot heavier but using FAC velocities it might work.
Tony

[Mof]

I was using them in a .22 Sharp innova and from what I remember the accuracy was not bad although as I said they were very visible through the scope sort of taking a corkscrew flight but still hitting my tin cans. If its fine tomorrow I will get some out and shoot some at 25 yds and let you know the group size. I found out in the end that one may as well buy some heavy weight pellets like Bisley magnums and save the hassle of making them.

[Mof]

I did a test today and was surprised at how inaccurate they were, at 25 yds the 5 shot group fitted into a 2 and quarter inch circle with 3 close together at one inch spread and two "flyers making the group 2 and a quarter inch.

A 5 shot group shot immediately after, with Bisley Magnums was a ragged one hole group covering 3/8 of a inch, so that is why you might as well buy heavy pellets off the shelf. The air rifle was a s-200. The Lem pellets hit very hard so would be devastating on rats at closer range.

[lbl25a]

I did a test today and was surprised at how inaccurate they were, at 25 yds the 5 shot group fitted into a 2 and quarter inch circle with 3 close together at one inch spread and two "flyers making the group 2 and a quarter inch.

A 5 shot group shot immediately after, with Bisley Magnums was a ragged one hole group covering 3/8 of a inch, so that is why you might as well buy heavy pellets off the shelf. The air rifle was a s-200. The Lem pellets hit very hard so would be devastating on rats at closer range.

That corresponds with my remembered experience. When in Spain my preferred long range pellets are Gamo TS18 in .22. These are 18gn diabolo with a longer skirt. These have now been replaced by TS20, but I haven't tried them yet. Gamo used to make .22 lead BB and I still have the remains of a tin but they are not listed in the more recent catalogues. I have thought of moulding lead ball ammo in .22 and .25 for use in airguns. I have had success in moulding lead balls down to .357 and don't see why smaller sizes should not be possible. My ball moulds are made by Jeff Tanner who has a web site and he makes to order at very reasonable cost.

[robby]

Here is a interesting website for anybody that got plenty of spare time.

http://airgunpelletmaker.weebly.com/