Old, oxidized pipe or flashing sometimes seems hard(thumbnail scratch test). Melt and flux to make ingots, then it shows as soft in nail test, and just goes thud in a drop or hammer test. If it rings, you've got some antimony or tin. Low velocity handgun loads can be almost pure or a little tin if you can afford it.
Suitability of lead pipe for bullet making
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To answer your original question, you can use the lead pipe (assumed near pure lead) in most rifles if you mix it 16 - 20 parts lead to 1 part tin. It won't get you high velocities, but near the max for many 30 30's and I think anything you would hope for out of a 45 70, using gas checks of course.
Grouch
Grouch
To answer your original question, you can use the lead pipe (assumed near pure lead) in most rifles if you mix it 16 - 20 parts lead to 1 part tin. It won't get you high velocities, but near the max for many 30 30's and I think anything you would hope for out of a 45 70, using gas checks of course.
Grouch
Grouch
I keep both types of lead separate, pure lead ingots to one pile and harder lead like wheelweights to another pile. Bullet swagers use pure lead when making bullets and a lot of swagers also cast so they will have harder lead to trade. Keep some pure lead around, where I am at, its rare so I do keep some to amend my alloy, or blend 
