bullet compositions

[R&S]

Just wondering if folks really care about bullets made from foundry lead (2, 6, 92) vs. wheel weights (with extra's added in to make a hard bullet)? I have always been particular about the bullets I use but I have spoken with some that say that wheel weight are good enough and they don't want to pay the extra for bullets made from foundry lead. what say you?

[SA Friday]

Definitely a zombie Steve question.

[Irving]

As long as it is conflict free lead, it's fine with me.

[Great-Kazoo]

As long as it is conflict free lead, it's fine with me.

[ROFL2]

W/weights or specific hardness foundry stuff. Based on your mention to start mfg bullets. You should stick with a composition that remains consistent per caliber. I don't want to have a load worked up, then find out your next offering has changed.

[sabot_round]

Just wondering if folks really care about bullets made from foundry lead (2, 6, 92) vs. wheel weights (with extra's added in to make a hard bullet)? I have always been particular about the bullets I use but I have spoken with some that say that wheel weight are good enough and they don't want to pay the extra for bullets made from foundry lead. what say you?

Rifle or pistol? What caliber? What are you gonna use 'em for?

[R&S]

This is NOT a sales pitch. I was just checking to see if I posted in the "Industry Partners DEAL ZONE" that there would be any interest in production over runs. There doesn't seem to be much moving from that location at this time.
These are NOT factory seconds that I would be selling. I do handgun calibers. I will post size, style, and cost in the DZ if there is enough interest.
I sell in volume (10,000 bullets per case)lots to some folks that make new ammunition.
I use foundry lead (2, 6, 92) with certs and track by lot numbers.
So, if I come up short (less than 10,000) I can package in smaller cases (2500) and continue to wholesale them, or to sell in 500 bullets per bag on the forum.

[Zombie Steve]

Didn't see this thread before...

I'd love to shoot foundry lead, but I get wheel weights for free. In low pressure rounds, I even mix clip on and stick on ww 3:2 and get away with it just fine. High pressure loads / boolits meant for magnums I use straight clip on and water drop them from the mold. They come out 18 bhn, or about as hard as linotype. I've never needed to go beyond that, but if I did, I could always heat treat them.

My biggest issue is how much softie can I mix in and still have enough tin for good mold fill-out. They aren't the prettiest, but they fly fine, no issues with leading, and again, it's just labor for me.

[paddywagon]

Wheel weights are fine for low velocity loads. Higher velocity and magnums you should really step up to Lyman #2 which is 90%lead 5%antimony and 5% tin. As I recollect Brinnel hardness is in the 15 to 18 range.

[Zombie Steve]

Wheel weights are fine for low velocity loads. Higher velocity and magnums you should really step up to Lyman #2 which is 90%lead 5%antimony and 5% tin. As I recollect Brinnel hardness is in the 15 to 18 range.

When your bullet comes out of the mold, you can drop it on your bench or drop it in water. As long as there's some arsenic in the mix (which with clip on wheel weights, there is) water dropping will get them to 18 BHn. Ain't a magnum load what's been invented yet that 18 BHn can't handle. 48,000 psi or 2,000 fps. You need more, heat treat them in the oven. 55,000 psi. Boom.

Mind you, without arsenic, you're just getting wet lead. Chilled shot goes a long way to helping if you've got 20:1 or something like a straight lead:tin alloy.

FWIW, I shoot .357 mag, .44 mag, and semi-nuclear "Ruger Blackhawk and T/C only" loads in .45 colt with water dropped WW. No worries.

[Zombie Steve]

Any interest in selling 25lb bars of foundry lead??? Does it taste any better than WW? I'd be interested whether or not it improves on the original Copenhagen flavor.


[Coffee]

[paddywagon]

When your bullet comes out of the mold, you can drop it on your bench or drop it in water. As long as there's some arsenic in the mix (which with clip on wheel weights, there is) water dropping will get them to 18 BHn. Ain't a magnum load what's been invented yet that 18 BHn can't handle. 48,000 psi or 2,000 fps. You need more, heat treat them in the oven. 55,000 psi. Boom.

Mind you, without arsenic, you're just getting wet lead. Chilled shot goes a long way to helping if you've got 20:1 or something like a straight lead:tin alloy.

FWIW, I shoot .357 mag, .44 mag, and semi-nuclear "Ruger Blackhawk and T/C only" loads in .45 colt with water dropped WW. No worries.

I have heard that water dropping them gets the hardness up, I have not done it though. I will have to try that myself for some of my mag handgun bullets. I still got a pretty good supply of #2 but i always like to experiment!

[sabot_round]

I have heard that water dropping them gets the hardness up, I have not done it though. I will have to try that myself for some of my mag handgun bullets. I still got a pretty good supply of #2 but i always like to experiment!

I started water dropping my w/w a few years ago. Just like Steve, I haven't had any issues with leading in any of my magnums.

[Great-Kazoo]

I started water dropping my w/w a few years ago. Just like Steve, I haven't had any issues with leading in any of my magnums.

Likewise the SWC's i use.

[R&S]

Any interest in selling 25lb bars of foundry lead??? Does it taste any better than WW? I'd be interested whether or not it improves on the original Copenhagen flavor.


[Coffee]

what casting equipment are you using? how much does your casting pot hold? (I'm sure there will be a few wise cracks from that question)