Gold bullets?

jbuck · Mar 1, 2012

I am looking for a unique gift, and I'm hoping someone can help me locate it.

I am looking for some solid gold bullets/cartridges like on "American Guns". Does anyone know of a local(seattle) place to find something like those, or silver would work too.

Thanks

HappyRoman · Mar 1, 2012

pour you own, talk to your local goldsmith

Toxic6 · Mar 1, 2012

Cool idea man- I thought about doing something like that only loading them live with silver bullets so they could be decoration, trade items, or usable in a pinch (or to kill a werewolf

).

19 Adam · Mar 1, 2012

If you find a gold or silversmith that has a set-up and will only charge for the pour let me know. I think an engraved silver bullet would be a great gift idea.

sadiesassy · Mar 1, 2012

At the price of gold Sure you do not want it gold plated.

jbuck · Mar 1, 2012

Yes I want solid gold. It looked like a 45acp was 1oz. And can't remember if the other was a 223 or 308 that was 2 or 3 ounces.

chemist · Mar 1, 2012

Well...
The density of gold is 19.3, while lead is 11.34 g/cc, so a bullet the same size as a conventional lead 230gr .45ACP slug would weigh (19.3/11.34)*230 = 391.4gr, which is 0.895 av. oz.
More to the point, 391gr equals 0.816 Troy oz, which means the melt value of it would be $1400 at today's price.

That's $3.58 per grain.

PhantomWorks · Mar 1, 2012

chemist said:
That's $3.58 per grain.

Still cheaper than ink for your printer!

sadiesassy · Mar 1, 2012

True - Never thought about it that way

That would mean I would have to pan out close to 400 grains of gold from the local stream bed

PhantomWorks said:
Still cheaper than ink for your printer!

civilian75 · Mar 1, 2012

I remember from back on the day I worked on PC board manufacturing, if gold plating over copper, it is a good idea to lay a metal barrier between the gold and copper, like nickel. Increases wear resistance. Gold attaches to Ni better than to Cu. Also, the Ni acts as a barrier, preventing CU to migrate into the Au, creating a tarnished appearance.

chemist · Mar 2, 2012

Yeah, gold dissolves well in copper, so without a barrier layer it can disappear completely into the substrate - especially for thin, sputtered Au layers.

HappyRoman · Mar 2, 2012

You might just consider the Gold color of the Montana Gold Bullet co. bullets..cheaper, effective, and saves your gold for more important things.

unklekippy · Mar 2, 2012

While it is a very cool gift idea, it would be quite expensive for ANY solid gold bullet. Were I a lottery winner, I may have a few just for conversation pieces. I however, am not a lottery winner. The idea of actual silver bullets intrigues me. Not only still a viable conversation piece, but much less costly and more useful than gold. If you don't mind, I may steal your idea in the future. If you do get any gold or silver bullets made, please let us know the details. I have to tell you, if I were given silver or gold bullets , I would be very pleased with that gift. Good luck in getting them made. Kip.

jbuck · Mar 2, 2012

I was thinking it would make a good gift for a nephew's 1st birthday. Think of it as a payment for college or first car. Or if he keeps it forever the value will always be there it's not like I'm throwing the gold away. But then I got thinking a 50bmg would look pretty nice cast in solid silver too.

sadiesassy · Mar 2, 2012

jbuck
Just re-read your OP : Can you clarify : Bullet or Catridge
a 223 60 grain bullet is a lot different than an actual cartridge.
Was your goal to leave the cartidge empty cavity or make it solid gold?

jbuck said:
I am looking for a unique gift, and I'm hoping someone can help me locate it.

I am looking for some solid gold bullets/cartridges like on "American Guns". Does anyone know of a local(seattle) place to find something like those, or silver would work too.

Thanks

jbuck · Mar 2, 2012

Ideally a solid cartridge.

chemist · Mar 2, 2012

Y'know, gold is so soft that it might not survive a launch from a rifle cartridge. Besides, at a density 70% higher than lead, it might create dangerous breech pressures. Silver would be a much better choice, not least of all because it's much more affordable. Besides, silver is antibiotic, so your target won't get infected. If it survives.

jonn5335 · Mar 2, 2012

I know someone in the longview wa area that I believe could do this for you in gold or silver but as far as shooting a solid gold bullet if out of a pistol it should be fine but a rifle depending on speed it could seperate before it ever reached the traget mostly 3000fps or faster. let me know if you need his contact info he does good work I've had him cast me rings,earings and pedants for gifts