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GENERAL => Ammunition, questions, and handloading techniques => Topic started by: AndyC on December 08, 2019, 08:45:59 PM

Title: Hot-glue bullets
Post by: AndyC on December 08, 2019, 08:45:59 PM
Some of you older farts might recognize this.

A younger friend of mine does security-work and is always wanting to improve his shooting, but he doesn't make a lot of money to pay for range-fees and ammo. I've decided to assist by introducing him to hot-glue bullets - that way he can shoot inside his apartment and incur very little expense (basically just primers).

(https://i.imgur.com/nJT19xB.jpg)

Now, I used to cast wax bullets when I worked for an armed response company overseas so we could easily, cheaply and safely practice room-clearance and the like inside our company HQ - and they were pretty accurate and fed well when cycled by hand from the magazine of our CZ75s. Problem was, they took a long time to cool in the mold so production was slow - and they bent after a few firings, so I decided this would likely be more efficient. I've never made the hot-glue version, so I had some fun experimenting yesterday with a new glue-gun and a 2nd-hand 9mm Lee mold.

(https://i.imgur.com/RjrnBW4.jpg)

The simplest way I found is to spray Pam inside the mold-block faces and cavities as well as on top of the sprue-plate - you can cast 10-12 glue bullets before they start to stick a little and it needs more Pam. It also makes removing the glue-sprue easier if you drag glue between the cavity-holes on top of the sprue-plate too (as in the photo below) - that way the sprue just peels off in one go.

(https://i.imgur.com/3Vly95b.jpg)

It takes a minute or two for the glue to solidify enough to remove the bullets, so it's kinda slow going - I found it best to do some chores and throw bullets in between.

With that said, these are not people-safe - they WILL welt severely (don't ask how I know this), so don't shoot them at anyone. They're reusable and are easily-stopped by a few layers of towel etc behind a cardboard target - I don't know how long these glue versions will last, but they seem to be pretty solid yet slightly rubbery.
Title: Re: Hot-glue bullets
Post by: Practical Shooter on December 09, 2019, 04:10:11 PM
That's pretty interesting. I need to make some of those and test them. Thanks Andy
Title: Re: Hot-glue bullets
Post by: CZUser on December 09, 2019, 08:22:03 PM
I’m gonna try this when I get back home. Looks like it will be fun.


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Title: Re: Hot-glue bullets
Post by: AndyC on December 09, 2019, 11:11:27 PM
Have fun - remember primers spew lead-vapor, so try do it away from your kitchens ;)
Title: Re: Hot-glue bullets
Post by: Wobbly on December 10, 2019, 05:17:59 AM
When shot in a 38 revolver, you can simply cut the 3/8" dia glue stick into 1/2" long sections and be done.
Title: Re: Hot-glue bullets
Post by: AndyC on December 10, 2019, 01:36:25 PM
Yep. Just drill out the flash-hole a little larger so the primer doesn't back out and tie up the cylinder's rotation.

Also a 1/2" of dry wax in a pan can be used for projectiles - press the case-mouths down into the wax, twist and remove.
Title: Re: Hot-glue bullets
Post by: pooty on December 17, 2019, 06:00:16 AM
Oh man this is the coolest thing!  How accurate are these?
Title: Re: Hot-glue bullets
Post by: Wobbly on December 17, 2019, 07:26:02 PM
Pretty good out to about 10 feet. It will leave a divot in double wall paste board at that distance.