Tungsten: Where do you get it, how do you form it, can it be used in powder form - e.g., as a filler with a lead cap....
Anyone work with this stuff?

The WWII german 88 round had a tungsten core. There is now tungsten shot available. The only work I've done with it is as an alloying element in some tool steels.

Often thought the same thing since it is about 1.5 times heaver than lead you could really increase the weight of a bullet and reduce the overall lenght. Any good machine shop has sources for powdered form. RNS

It will need about 3400�C to melt it

Jiri

www.mcmaster-carr.com

They have it, but good luck actually working the stuff...

Time was Dave Corbin had it.
Is tungsten malleable enough to be swaged?
Jim

Tungsten powder can be pressed into gilding metal jackets for a very dense bullet. These are made commercially somewhere, I just don't know the maker's name.

Powell River Laboratories used to make bullets with a powdered tungsten core.

Based on results from a Google search, they apparently have had some financial difficulties.

I think you're chasing the wild goose here, my friends.

This fails the "WHY-test" big time.

Fails the why test??

I've got an article for you to read Pecos 45, say the word and email me, I'll send it to you. I'll let you know it's coming so you know it isn't a freakin virus. You'll definitely be amazed.

Look at the 30 cal PRL 253gr and the MV and trajectory. These were just their target versions, but I know of a guy who hunts with the hunting type, the ones he has left anyway.

PRL is now Brown Dog Ent. and does mostly government contract work now I'm told.

Their Number is:

(805)497-2318

Brown Dog Ent.
2200 Calle Camelia
1000 Oaks CA 91360

Corbin has the powdered tungsten and directions on how it's to be used in bullets.

Speer makes their 458 solids with a tungsten core (I can't remember if the .416 bullets are similarly constructed).

The bullets are about $5 each.

I still have a box somewhere.

Garrett

Hello All,

You might try looking at Graybeard talk forum at http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/index.php under �Bullet Swaging� the home of the original bullet swaging talk forum.

Bwana-be
You would use powder tungsten and not solid tungsten in the making of you bullet cores. You can go to Corbin�s site and read about its use.

RNS
Even though solid tungsten is almost 1.7 times the density of lead, powder tungsten is only about 1.25 times the density of lead. So the level of benefit is only marginal but is could be the margin that wins a match.

And the powder tungsten is pressed into the core about the same way that a lead core is, not melted. HAHA

Pecos45
Some of the most fun stuff and most worthwhile inventions have come out of what you call �chasing the wild goose�. If your only criteria is for your �WHY-test� for doing something then why do you do anything. You should go beyond your limited imagination and explore other potentials while not knocking others for asking �what if� and trying new things.

Donna

I have worked with tungsten and copper-tungsten for many years - make that 30 years. It is very abrasive material and quite expensive. It has good characteristics for the electrical industries and we as "Tool & Die Makers" use it quite often in producing tooling. It stinks to high heaven when machining it. I don't have a MSDT (material safety data sheet) on it but I know if not used in a highly ventelated area it can be harmfull to ones health.

If anybody is going to work with it, please be carefull.

Don

As far as that goes, lead is by far more toxic than tungsten or copper-tungsten ever thought of being. I am not down playing anything here but as in all things dealing with materials especially powdered materials and fumes that can be inhaled, absorbed by the skin, and/or ingested one should always look at the toxicity or threat to human life.

As a side not the dry lub molly and mica are highly toxic if inhaled. Now I know none of us are going to snort molly or mica on purpose. But its toxicity is not always known and it only takes a small accidental inhalation or your small child to get into it to do great harm.

So by all means know what you�re working with and take the proper precautions.

Donna

Hi Donna, thanks for blessing us with your info. Now be a dear and go play with yourself.