Can molten lead be poured into a laminated stock?

[Bojo]

H&R used to sell a single shot rifled slug gun - the Tracker II, IIRC - back before the Remington conglomerate put them out of business. It came with a 7/8" diameter tungsten carbide rod in the bolt hole in the stock to add weight. That was probably the single most expensive part of the gun, but it sure shot well with sabot slugs!

That was the 12 gaugewith thick barrel that they built on the 10 gauge frame if I remember correctly.

 

[vlcakc]

Cerrosafe?

 

[jds holler]

Cerrosafe?

Funny, I was just about to post the same. Much lower temp, and you would always have some for chamber casting. jd

 

[spclark]

Funny, I was just about to post the same. Much lower temp, and you would always have some for chamber casting. jd

I’d been thinking about that too earlier yesterday (asleep when you posted the above), got bogged down looking for density #’s to compare. I think it’s around 8+ g/cc, cheap enough to consider & vastly more user- and stock-friendly in molten state than lead.

Unless you put the lead in a copper or steel jacket as suggested by others, which is a practical approach if you already have everything on hand & rather not spend $$.

 

[243BR]

+ 1 for the Tungsten Carbide. As others have said though' it is way expensive. I got mine from Mi Tech Metals. You can order any quantity in diameters up to 1" (i think).
Another possibility are the bits from oil drilling rigs (seriously). We have a couple of companies locally that refurbish them. They're not as pretty as the Mi Tech, but they weight just as much.

 

[rardoin]

As mentioned above, a broken carbide endmill of 5/8-3/4" diameter will provide a nice chunk of weight. If you know of any machinists they may be able to get you some scrap endmills...probably free. The only issue is cutting it to the proper length which can be done with a diamond wheel on an angle grinder or 'chop' saw.

 

[Damon555]

My solution was somewhat easier. I use bullets....the smaller calibers work the best. Just fill the stock with .224" bullets and you've got your weight....We've all got bullets lying around right?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Right before the epoxy

 

[NorCalMikie]

Once the epoxy goes in, there's no turning back. Better to use something loose with a packing on top that can be removed to change the weight.

 

[ratbuster]

I've poured molten lead into five different wooden stocks (all laminated) with no ill effects. I drilled two 1" diameter holes approx 2.5" deep in the butt of the stocks. The key is not allowing the lead to get too hot; just a bit warmer than the melting point. I melt the lead in a clean and dry tin can with a propane torch. Using a vise grip as a handle on the can and the stock held vertically in a padded vise all it takes is a steady hand and confidence it can be done.

 

[chop house]

When I was a kid, I made a wooden mold to cast sling-shot ammo with.

this single statement explains SO MUCH...

now, what are the long term effects of lead poisoning again?

 

[jds holler]

this single statement explains SO MUCH...

now, what are the long term effects of lead poisoning again?

If it is cognitive effects of lead poisoning that you refer to, I assure you that I am of near human intelligence. I will say that any intellectual or psychological issues I may have were influenced by other factors more powerful than lead.

Aside from that, I have enjoyed a lifetime of economical and pleasurable shooting with home cast projectiles. jd

 

[Rich S]

+1 on the 3/4 copper tube. Cap 1 end and melt the lead in the copper pipe. If you heat the lead and pour it in the pipe, heat the pipe also. If not it will not adhear to the copper and be slightly loose. A 7/8 hole makes a snug fit.

 

[jk80]

Find someone who reloads shot shells and use small shot like #or 9. Mix the amount you want to make weight with epoxy and pour into stock.

 

[Lee in Texas]

After looking for tungsten and deciding it was too expensive, I ordered a 25lb bag of #9 shot. I also stumbled across a guy who sells used Mallory Metal (tungsten slugs used for balancing crankshafts) on ebay. The price is not bad. I may order a few of those.

 

[alf]

If you want it removable, take a piece of saran wrap & coat it with paste wax first, then poke it down the hole. Mix up your 2 part epoxy & shot mix, and pour it in, level it off, & let it cure overnight. As long as you don't have a mechanical lock, it'll pop right out. Remove the saran wrap & it'll drop right back in with zero slop during recoil. Do not use 5 minute epoxy, use the stuff with the 20-30 minute working time which generates little to no heat.

 

[DickE]

If you are still interested in pouring heavy metal into your stock, check out a company called "Rotometal".
They have blend called "Roto158F" for $9.99 a pound. It melts at 158 degrees. Also called woods metal. Same as Cerosafe. I use it to make chamber castings. At that temperature I doubt it would affect the stock.

 

[ratbuster]

Cerro safe is about twenty percent lighter than lead, tungsten about forty percent heavier than lead.

 

[Lee in Texas]

I ordered some of those used Mallory Metal slugs. Wow. The tungsten weighs 2.61x lead shot encased in epoxy. (I made a copy in a plaster of paris mold.)

I think I'll go nuts and see how much I can add to this Savage BVSS stock.

 

[ratbuster]

Lee inn Tx:

How much did you have to give for the Mallory slugs? I took a dozen pieces out of a Top Fuel Harley crankshaft that had a cracked rod journal and was considering selling some of them.