Casting Bullets

[Petrock]

Can anyone tell me definetivly if a lead alloy of seven parts lead and one part antimony is suitable for casting bullets? Any information is appreciated.

 

[glycerin]

That's a very hard alloy, similar to linotype, but lacking the tin. Pistol and most rifle bullets don't need to be nearly so hard, and would be better with 1 to 2% tin(to improve flow into the mold). Wheelweights(with small amount of tin added) is ideal.

 

[Petrock]

That's a very hard alloy, similar to linotype, but lacking the tin. Pistol and most rifle bullets don't need to be nearly so hard, and would be better with 1 to 2% tin(to improve flow into the mold). Wheelweights(with small amount of tin added) is ideal.

The lead is priced right as it is free. Would you suggest that I add tin to make this lead more appropriate?

 

[H4831]

If these bullets are for a rifle, in particular a rifle where the velocity will be 2000 plus, the alloy should work well. If it pours OK, without lead in it.
That is the mixture of linotype, with 4% tin added.
In my oinion, linotype is as good as it gets for high speed cast rifle bullets.

 

[big boar]

Adding tin to lead will increase the hardness but only so far. Can shot be added to the mix(antimony) to get a harder alloy or will it not melt in properly? Wheelweights and Lino are almost impossible to find now.

 

[Petrock]

If these bullets are for a rifle, in particular a rifle where the velocity will be 2000 plus, the alloy should work well.

Do you mean the alloy that I have now with the 7 parts lead and one part anitmony?


If it pours OK, without lead in it.

I don't know what you mean. It has lead in it already, do you mean tin?


That is the mixture of linotype, with 4% tin added.
In my oinion, linotype is as good as it gets for high speed cast rifle bullets.

What we're thinking is making some Minie (S?) balls, some balls for muzzle loaders and I believe one of the guys is talking about making bullets for his .44 Mag. I'm open to suggestions as to what we can add to this lead alloy in order to make good bullets.

The other consideration is that I will be melting a tonne of lead/antimony. Is there any value to other shooters for what I have?

 

[hedgehog]

Free lead is good lead.

The lead you found will produce a very hard bullet. what will you be casting for?

 

[hedgehog]

there is a value to what you have. id be interesting in some depending on price.

Ill let others answer your minie / black powder casting question. my guess is you will have to alloy it softer for the minie

 

[phishroy]

there is a value to what you have. id be interesting in some depending on price.

Ill let others answer your minie / black powder casting question. my guess is you will have to alloy it softer for the minie

correct, it may be a tad to hard of an alloy but you can try casting a few and see how it preforms.
for muzzle loaders you may want pure lead which is not easy to come by

it will defiantly be a good mix for high speed bullets, in fact ive been looking for some really hard lead for some of my 223 rem castings.

if you want to make it softer you can try finding pure lead which is hard to find these days.
the more pure soft lead in the mix the softer it will be.

 

[mwjones]

I think you'll want soft, liek almost pure lead for muzzleloaders?

 

[H4831]

What we're thinking is making some Minie (S?) balls, some balls for muzzle loaders and I believe one of the guys is talking about making bullets for his .44 Mag. I'm open to suggestions as to what we can add to this lead alloy in order to make good bullets.

The other consideration is that I will be melting a tonne of lead/antimony. Is there any value to other shooters for what I have?

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Yes, of course I meant "without tin in it." If the alloy pours ok, it would work, like I said in faster rifle bullets. You would have to try the 44 to see what happens, but I would say it would work OK.
I know nothing about mini balls, but would imagine you would want nearly pure lead.

 

[northof58]

Minie balls need to be soft lead so that the base (skirt) will expand into the rifling. I tried some wheel weight minie balls to see what they would do. They did not shot well at all. Your lead is even harder. You could try making and shooting round balls out of your muzzleloader. It works in some muzzleloaders and not so well in others. But even there, soft lead is the best. If you want lead for your muzzleloader, try to trade it with someone who has soft lead.