I plan to begin casting lead bullets some time in the future. The hang up has always been lead cost. My best friend restores sailboats as a hobby. Casting came up in conversation and he offered me about 200 lbs of balast lead. How would be the best way to proceed with unknown lead. I plan to smelt flux and pour into ingots first. Should I just cast some bullets and test fire or is there a more organized way to go?
Lead find... maybe
- Thread starter es1011
- Start date
NikA
Hunter
Since it's just a weight and in no way structural, ballasts are probably cheap, pure lead. A little internet research could confirm this.
Testing BHN would give you an idea about what needs to be done to use as bullets. XRF testing would tell you the exact composition (within measurement error, of course). I think there are a couple of threads on where to do XRF testing over at Cast Boolits.
Testing BHN would give you an idea about what needs to be done to use as bullets. XRF testing would tell you the exact composition (within measurement error, of course). I think there are a couple of threads on where to do XRF testing over at Cast Boolits.
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
There is a Lee Lead hardness tester.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/731364/lee-lead-hardness-testing-kit
With pure lead you will most likely have to add tin, antimony or linotype to harden the mixture.
Here is a great article that will show you the basics.
http://www.theboxotruth.com/educational-zone-102-casting-lead-bullets-pt-1/
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/731364/lee-lead-hardness-testing-kit
With pure lead you will most likely have to add tin, antimony or linotype to harden the mixture.
Here is a great article that will show you the basics.
http://www.theboxotruth.com/educational-zone-102-casting-lead-bullets-pt-1/
gster
Single-Sixer
There is a fellow over on castboolits that will do a xrf test to let you know the composition. All you have to do is send him 1 ingot.
contender
Ruger Guru
The cast boolits forum is your friend.
You can get an alloy tested easily, info on how to mix alloys properly to get you the correct hardness for you choice of calibers & such.
Tons of info over there that can answer all your questions.
EXCEPT,,,, what to do when that 200 lbs runs out.
You can get an alloy tested easily, info on how to mix alloys properly to get you the correct hardness for you choice of calibers & such.
Tons of info over there that can answer all your questions.
EXCEPT,,,, what to do when that 200 lbs runs out.
mhblaw
Blackhawk
Several years ago I had the 2" lead line from the main to my house replaced. Gave a casting friend about 10' of line and he was tickled pink!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfsEDav4Sbg Cheap, easy way to check hardness. If you get into casting, you can find regular hardness testers at most shooting supply vendors. Unless it's really pure lead, try some. You can add some tin (lead free solder works) to make your alloy a bit harder..
While I don't have the "chart he mentions I found some info; http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?75455-Testing-hardness-with-pencils
While I don't have the "chart he mentions I found some info; http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?75455-Testing-hardness-with-pencils
An excellent source of probably pure lead. Good luck. As already said castboolits.com is your friend. Read the stickies. 
gramps
gramps
Tom W
Blackhawk
Whoa up a bit. Ballast material can be some of anything, including a zinc alloy. By all means accept the material, melt it separately from your other alloys and see if it can be cut with a normal pair of side cutters. Zinc alloy is very difficult if not impossible to cut easily. Pure lead should be able to be scored with your thumbnail. A tiny bit of zinc alloy won't be too much trouble to cast with, but a large amount will. It will also look like there is oatmeal in your molten mix. Makes good sinkers and such.
Chuck 100 yd
Hunter
Keep it separated from any other alloy lead you may have/get until you are sure it is good for bullets.
I would just cast a few bullets out of it and if the mold fills nicely it probably has no Zinc in it. Set a bullet on an anvil/ hard surface and smack it with a 2-3 lb. hammer, smack it hard!!! If it flattens without crumbling it is probably pure lead. If it crumbles or resists deformation, get it tested or just cast it up and shoot it.
I would just cast a few bullets out of it and if the mold fills nicely it probably has no Zinc in it. Set a bullet on an anvil/ hard surface and smack it with a 2-3 lb. hammer, smack it hard!!! If it flattens without crumbling it is probably pure lead. If it crumbles or resists deformation, get it tested or just cast it up and shoot it.
