Bullet casting metals source?

You're best bet is finding pure lead at a smelter and alloying consistently with 95/5 solder, more avail. yet not as consistent are wheel weights. WW may be too hard for some uses, in which case they can be cut with 50% or so pure lead.
 
I have obtained wheel weights from my local scrap metal dealer. Last fall lead was going for 50 cents/pound, so expect to pay some coin.
 
Alchemy now has a new bullet division as well, called Aim Projectiles.
Anyway, if you're looking for casting metal they certainly have it.
 
relliott said:
Alchemy now has a new bullet division as well, called Aim Projectiles.
Anyway, if you're looking for casting metal they certainly have it.
Click to expand...

It looks rather expensive. It makes about 13c per bullet. With a gas check it's 16. Whereas I can have semi-jackets - ready to shoot - at 16c.
 
mihasic said:
It looks rather expensive. It makes about 13c per bullet. With a gas check it's 16. Whereas I can have semi-jackets - ready to shoot - at 16c.
Click to expand...

That depends what you are shooting, 500 gr jacketed bullets for my 500 S&W are $44.99 for 50 (94 cents each w/tax) and 350 gr are $38.99 for 50 so with a 100 pound order cost, even a 38 cent 500 gr linotype bullet with gas check is a great deal.
 
Try your local tire shop directly, many of them still look at wheel weights as a pain in the *ss that they have to haul to the scrap place. At least two I know of are thrilled to have them taken away for them.
 
The important element in bullet casting is some antimony - otherwise the tin does not mix in the lead. I use wheel weights for the bulk of the mix with a little linotype metal to give the antimony.

For handguns maybe pure wheel weight would work - did not try that.

When using wheel weightsa make sure to heat well and flux to get rid of the grit, otherwise the bullets can be abrasive.
 
Wheel weights work best. If you can find them. All the tire shops here either have to sell them to a commercial recycler or have about 5 or more regulars already taking up their used WW's.

There are a couple of foundries in Montreal but the price for virgin bullet lead of various alloys is way too expensive now.
 
The current price for pure lead is .70cents a pound, if you're paying more then that, you're paying too much. Wheelweights should be less then 1/2 that, remember however, if you are casting for a muzzleloader, or any kind of BP cartridge, rifle or pistol(B.P.), or any older antique collectible gun....wheelweights should not be used as they are too hard.
 
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