You can't cast it directly into alum molds, the melting point of silver is
higher than that of aluminum.
The wax has a lot of shrinkage. Even with professional equipment, where the
wax is injected under pressure, you will still expect 5-7% shrinkage in the
final metal product. So casting wax into standard bullet molds will result
in a undersized bullet.
Turn machinable wax on the lathe to about 47 1/2 cal bullets and cast that.
30 bucks ain't nearly enough. A 230 grain bullet is nearly 1/2 oz troy.
That means you are only making 15 bucks in labor and supplies and overhead.
If you were set up as a production caster, that might be a wholesale rate
for the casting alone, sans the monkeying around with the patterns.

Paul K. Dickman



"Tom Gardner" mars@tacks wrote in message
...
I have a request for 20 Silver bullets in .45 caliber. I don't think I can
or should cast them directly in my Aluminum molds. So, I thought of doing
them with the lost wax method. I can cast the wax in my molds but what to
use as a mold release? I do have a graphite spray mold release to try. I
do have some casting wax left over from my Silversmith days. Unfortunately,
I do not have a centrifugal casting machine so I'll try the wet rag method.
Any better ideas? I did quote $30 each so it's worth the trouble. I
should get better than two bullets to the ounce of silver. I do have a
couple of pounds of fine and a couple pounds of Sterling. I wonder which I
should use? I don't know if it makes a difference to Werewolves, does it?