Gift of Solder

[Old Ranger]

A neighbour and fellow shooter just brought me over a gift. Tool box containing about 20 bars of solder which I assume originally came from a body shop. Bars are about 1"x1/2" x 12" long. Three different markings- RAM BRAND Body Solder, CRAMCO ALLOY SALES CRAMCO SOLDER and KESTER 50/50. I'm hoping the 50/50 marking means half and half tin and lead. Any lead/body shop experts like to comment on the possible make up of these bars. They are fairly soft and bars can be bent easily by hand.
I shoot a couple thousand cast bullets from mostly rifles a year and have been buying tin (which isn't cheap) to mix about 2% with wheel weights.
This could be a real find if this stuff is all 50% tin.
Any way of telling?

There was also a couple coils of very soft round alloy about 3/8" in diameter. Coils would be about 10 feet long if stretched out.

Any input would be much appreciated.

Old Ranger

 

[H4831]

The 50-50 for sure is half tin.
The coils are likely pure (basically) lead.
Don't know about the body lead, will be interesting to hear from someone who knows.

 

[sunray]

Do a net search for RAM BRAND Body Solder. There should be specs somewhere.
Cramco appears to be out of business.
Kester's site is here. http://www.kester.com/AboutUs/tabid/173/Default.aspx

 

[blaser.306]

The 3/8 ish coils are likely pure lead wire meant for swaged bullet cores . Someone like myself could possibly offer money for such an item ! Hint /Hint !

 

[Old Ranger]

Thanks for the advice.I looked at some web sites. Looks like most body solder is 30/70 tin and lead. Discovered that some of my CRAMCO bars are marked 40/60 on the back. No need to buy tin for awhile to sweeten up the wheel weights.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

Body lead is probably dead soft (IMO) but it may have a bit of tin, just to help it flow. They used to melt it on, and then work it with tools much like it was wood, rasps etc.