50/50 solder to lead??

gregc

gregc

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hey, wanting to harden up cast bullets for 303 so how much 50/50 solder would i need to add to a 20 lbs lee lead pot to harden up the lead? i have a big spool of the solder so would it be about 12 inches or so. am using wheel weights for the projectiles. thanks
 
It would be good to know what type of lead are you starting with.
Big difference if you start with pure lead or clip on wheel weights.

What is the hardness you are trying to achieve?
 
Tin isn’t a great hardener. It’s main use to to help the alloy fill out the mould better. I use antimony and Linotype to harden my alloys. As said above the hardness of your lead you start with makes a big difference in what you need to mix with it to get your desired hardness. My base is wheel weights so 9-10 bhn to start. Pure lead is 5 bhn. I try for 17-18 bhn. 1/2 lb antimony and 1lb of Linotype or 2lb Linotype in a 20 lb pot. I have some older WW that is 12 bhn. A sailboat keel I found went 13 bhn. My mixture gets changed a bit depending on what I start with.
 
bertn said:
It would be good to know what type of lead are you starting with.
Big difference if you start with pure lead or clip on wheel weights.

What is the hardness you are trying to achieve?
Click to expand...
hey, thanks, mentioned in the op that i was using ww to cast
 
Wheel weights will harden (the most if you water drop them)

if you do not get good fill out with the right temp add the solder 2-4 feet (per pot) at a time till you get good fill out
 
gregc said:
hey, thanks, mentioned in the op that i was using ww to cast
Click to expand...
Sorry didn’t see that part.

As mentioned by others, try to find some high antimony alloy like linotype or “printing lead”, that will harden the alloy more than solder/tin.
 
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