where can I get pure lead for casting bullets for black powder rounds?

Lino type isn't pure lead. I get a bit of it from work and it is fairly hard compared to real lead. You can always buy a toilet cap at the hardware store. They are pure lead but a bit pricey.
 
all ready have lots of WW for cast bullets for smokeless but am looking for pure lead for a few old older black powder rounds... .41 swiss and a 50-70 gov. Any and all help ..Thanks

I shoot both 41 Swiss in my Vetterlis and 12.7X44R (close to 50-70 Govt) in a Swedish Rolling Block and use Wheelweight - in fact I use WW in all my cartridge guns. But I use smokeless too, so maybe there's only so far you want to go along the heretical route.
 
yes I am trying just to use real lead and BP/ duplex loads in my cartridge guns . trying to keep every thing the same to keep realistic pressures and bullets soft ...they are in all very good shooting condition and so am I and want to keep it that way.
 
I shoot WW cast in my 45-70 black powder loads. Both paper patched or grease groove.
One guy I know went to a small scrap yard out in the boonies and picked up lead for $.75/lbs. The scrap yard had it sorted between soft and hard lead even so you could pick. He wanted it for Minie balls which don't work unless the lead is soft.
Most scrap metal places I've checked either don't sell the public or charge crazy prices. One place in Ottawa wanted something like $6/lbs for mixed scrap lead. I can buy new shotgun shot from Hummason for 1/3 that (it's hard lead alloy mind you).
 
same ...they said they didn't sell to the public...lol ok to me a sale would be a sale...I still have plenty of WW lead left maybe just cast that up and be done with it and find some soft lead for my flintlocks ...tell me about your buddy out in the boonies ...sounds like a little gold(ok lead) mine..
 
Local scrap yard sell's to anyone here, and they had a couple 45 gallon drum's of different types. Lead from cast iron pipe is dead soft, and there was plenty of that there.
 
I take my scrap brass in to a local scrap yard and walk out with lead. Every once in a while I buy a few pounds off of them to make them feel good about getting some cash from me. They charge about a buck a pound and brass was worth 2.80 I think he said. Good stuff to trade if you have some trashed cases.
 
If you have an auto wrecker nearby, some cars have a large lead disc in the steering wheel... Probably weights about 1.5 pounds depending on make and model. Ford minivans all have it as it seems.
 
If you have an auto wrecker nearby, some cars have a large lead disc in the steering wheel... Probably weights about 1.5 pounds depending on make and model. Ford minivans all have it as it seems.

wow first time I have heard of that ..what a great source of lead...what kind is it ? soft lead (pure) or harder? just wondering if you would know off hand.
 
Hi

I am buying my bullets from bullet barns in B.C. I know it is not fun but they are very nice people to deal with ask for Lois, a real Lady.

I bought their 45 Postell FB TLG bullets without the wax. I put the bee wax myself.

I do not have the equipment to melt the lead and I am lazy.
 
I really don't know, but it is pretty soft. Scratches easy with fingernail. My guess as to why lead is used in a steering wheel is to absorb vibrations.

wow if it scratches with a finger nail it pretty darn pure...pretty sure more will weigh in on it but ..seems pure to me being that soft. again thanks for the tip ..
 
A buddy of mine got a 3200 pound keel of a sailboat. They are made of lead with a few cast iron parts. Paid 50.00 for it. Has enough lead to last a lifetime:)
 
Most local scrap yards will have pure lead. Check anyone that buys cars for scrap. Chances are, they will have some pure lead in the form of old pipes, lead sheeting etc. Just know what you are buying. Unless you know how to determine the difference in wheel weights (lead vs high zinc), stay away from them and always score the metal with your finger nail to see if it is soft. If I can do that, you will be alright.
 
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