How do I identify lead

Zinc actually helps with hardness. You just add a little more tin to help with full out. Anywhere below 3% zinc you would not even know it's there

That's what I found too. The only problem with zinc I found is storage time.Zinc on bullets oxidizes faster than lead and it can (not necesarly will) make barrel cleaning harder.

If I shoot those bullets within a month of making them whey are better (for my purposes and my powders) than straight WW.
 
Hello, Dasbrow. If you want to test lead to check for hardness you should have a hardness tester. These are not cheap and some are not very precise in unpractised hands. There is a pencil test that can be performed that will give you a good idea about the hardness of the lead alloy. There is a good description of this test on "castboolits.gunloads.com" that will guide you. I think the set of pencils will cost around $15. It is very easy to use.

N.B. I don't know why we do not have a sticky on this test method to help beginners get started in this very interesting hobby.
 
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