[texaswoodworker]

I've been looking into bullet casting, and have decided that is something I really want to get into later this year. I want to go ahead and stock up on lead, and I was wondering where I could find it. I know scrap yards and tire shops will sometimes have it, so are there any other places I could look?

Thanks.

 

[trip286]

I can hook you up with a few pounds later on. The stuff I have is pretty pure though, so it's very soft. Not wheel weight lead, it's lead washers that are used as gaskets for chlorine fittings.

 

[texaswoodworker]

I can hook you up with a few pounds later on. The stuff I have is pretty pure though, so it's very soft. Not wheel weight lead, it's lead washers that are used as gaskets for chlorine fittings.

That would be awesome. Thanks.

I've been looking into it, and there are ways to harden the lead. I could mix it in with a much harder lead alloy. Depending on what is in the lead alloy, I think you can also quench them in water to harden them. I'll have to read up on it.

 

[vincent]

Not 100% sure but I think the lead tire weights are being replaced with zinc now, may want to be aware of that...good luck with the casting!

 

[therhino]

Rotometals sells alloys specifically for bullet casting on their website. You can also get lead ingots from other peoples' range lead on eBay for a song. I personally buy, smelt, and resell pewter from thrift shops on eBay that folks use to mix their own alloys.

 

[Rick1967]

I usually buy from the local recycling yard. It was around $.75 a pound about a year and a half ago. I found over a hundred pounds at a yard sale for $20. So I havent bought any in a while.

 

[nitestalker]

Stocking up is a good idea. Lead WWs the ideal general alloy for hand gun bullets is going away. Other alloys useful for casting Animonie, Tin and Linotype are getting very expensive.
Tin is used for even flow and fill in the mold block. The Animone is used for hardening. Water drop can harden bullets for maybe 2 years and then the BHN starts dropping.
I picked up 1,200 Lbs. of range lead salvaged from an indoor shooting range. The copper and brass salvaged was sold for $320 bucks. Range lead is often a bargain.

 

[robocop10mm]

Roofers and plumbers. Roofing lead is pure, soft lead. It is useful for stretching harder alloys in low velocity applications and for shotgun slugs/muzzle loader bullets (20/1 lead/tin). Plumbing lead can range from dead soft caps to 50/50 lead tin solder.

I save my scrap brass and trade for lead at the scrap yard.

 

[texaswoodworker]

Well, I called a lot of places, and no one had any they would be willing to give/sell me. One place told me they might have some in a month.
I did find some decent prices on ebay though.

 

[trip286]

Well, I called a lot of places, and no one had any they would be willing to give/sell me. One place told me they might have some in a month.
I did find some decent prices on ebay though.

Wait. I don't know how much I have, but I know it's several pounds. You'll have to harden it with something, but for the lead itself, just hold your horses.

I won't be able to even collect it until Monday. I'm going out of town for the weekend.

 

[texaswoodworker]

Wait. I don't know how much I have, but I know it's several pounds. You'll have to harden it with something, but for the lead itself, just hold your horses.

I won't be able to even collect it until Monday. I'm going out of town for the weekend.

I'm just looking for now. If I saw a really good deal, I'd jump on it, but there's no rush since I don't have the equipment yet.
Hardening it shouldn't be a problem. I have a chunk of lead that is made from old shotgun shot. I think that lead already has tin and antimony in it, so I could probably mix some pure lead in with it. If not, I could probably find some old tin or pewter somewhere.

 

[tri70]

Widener's has lead ingots for sale too.
http://www.wideners.com/itemview.cfm?dir=278|885

 

[robocop10mm]

Shot has some antimony in it, but not a lot. Magnum shot will make a decent bullet on its own, but an ingot from random shot will still need some hardening. Look at lead/tin alloy. Shot has almost no tin. Tin is essential for good bullets.

 

[trip286]

Hey Tex, ya reckon 5-6 pounds will get ya started? Go ahead and find something to harden it with...

Oh, and is your shipping address still the same?

 

[trip286]

By the way, you'll need to wash this stuff. It's got dust and some small debris in it. Not to mention LEAD DUST. Wouldn't be a bad idea to wear a mask when you open it, until you wash it and store it in something permanent.

 

[texaswoodworker]

Hey Tex, ya reckon 5-6 pounds will get ya started? Go ahead and find something to harden it with...

Oh, and is your shipping address still the same?

View attachment 80724

By the way, you'll need to wash this stuff. It's got dust and some small debris in it. Not to mention LEAD DUST. Wouldn't be a bad idea to wear a mask when you open it, until you wash it and store it in something permanent.

Holy cow! That will definetly help me get started. I'll look on ebay for some stuff to harden it. My address is still the same. Is yours the same?
I have a surgical mask I use for stuff like that, and I'll wash it off before I use it.

Thanks!