08-17-2008, 09:12 PM
You are 100% correct on the details of soft lead,hard lead an battery lead(bad news).I cast 40 grain .224 dia squirrel bullets for my .22 Hornet and with proper mold temp and at least 1 1/2 % tin by weight they come out fine with sharp details for the lube grooves (2).
I have used range lead with very good results as it is rich in tin and antimony though harder than pure lead.
[quote TontoG]Some bad info about lead here. Sources? Older style wheel weights (new ones are zinc, bad news...) Spent bullets from backstop at a range, old lead pipes or sheathing. Alloyed lead like the wheel weights contains some antimony and tin, makes it fill in details better than pure soft lead, weighs a little less and melts at a lower temperature. Pure soft lead melts at a much higher temp and unless the metal and mold are up to temperature, it will produce a wrinkled casting. Do not reclaim lead from a car battery. If the dross is exposed to moisture, arsine gas is formed and it is a poison. Scrap yards sometimes have lead in various forms, metal prices are at an all time high, good luck. For more info, Google bullet casting....those guys know how to deal with lead and its various alloys.[/quote]
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I have used range lead with very good results as it is rich in tin and antimony though harder than pure lead.
[quote TontoG]Some bad info about lead here. Sources? Older style wheel weights (new ones are zinc, bad news...) Spent bullets from backstop at a range, old lead pipes or sheathing. Alloyed lead like the wheel weights contains some antimony and tin, makes it fill in details better than pure soft lead, weighs a little less and melts at a lower temperature. Pure soft lead melts at a much higher temp and unless the metal and mold are up to temperature, it will produce a wrinkled casting. Do not reclaim lead from a car battery. If the dross is exposed to moisture, arsine gas is formed and it is a poison. Scrap yards sometimes have lead in various forms, metal prices are at an all time high, good luck. For more info, Google bullet casting....those guys know how to deal with lead and its various alloys.[/quote]
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