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Freightman
01-25-2007, 11:35 AM
I am going to clean the pit at an indoor range, the estamated yeald will be 1000# of lead that will be 50/50 jacketed and cast pistol bullets.
Do you think that with the CB in the mix that it will be a suitable HC boolit.? or do I need to add W-W lead to it.
I have lots of that.

Pawpaw
01-25-2007, 11:40 AM
Most of the range lead I've seen is soft, but your mining may have different results. If you have a bunch of hardcast bullets in the mix, the alloy that results might be just fine for hardcast bullets.

You'll just have to test it and see.

ron brooks
01-25-2007, 11:45 AM
Depends on the velocity you'll be shooting them at and the fit to bore as well. A good fit or a low velocity and you could probably just use the range lead as is, no problems. If you are planning on high velocity though you might want to consider the 50/50 mix. As Pawpaw said, you wouldn't know until you try.

Good luck,

Ron

Freightman
01-25-2007, 12:16 PM
I will let you know, I do not size most of the time so the CB's fit and I have never had any leading. Kinda looking forward to getting this lead , it will be a continuing supply as I am a member and we have to clean the pit every six months. The lead and brass that is left is always free.

Ricochet
01-25-2007, 12:54 PM
Like I posted the other day, jacketed bullet cores and .22 RF bullets usually have something like 1 1/2 to 1 3/4% antimony in them. That will respond well to quench hardening.

imashooter2
01-25-2007, 06:06 PM
The scrap I get from an indoor range is probably 50% .22's, 25% jacketed and 25% commercial cast. It casts beautifully as is and when quenched from the mold, it hardens up just like WW (to my very unscientific scratch tests).

quiknot
01-25-2007, 08:34 PM
i sift out the shorter pieces at the range and bring home the 'lead' to smelt down...make my 45 colt 240gr boolits and no addition of ww's...i do drop them into water to cool...

Johnch
01-25-2007, 08:45 PM
I just ingoted out 600+ lb of range lead
This batch was about 1/3 22's , 1/3 jacketed and 1/3 commercial cast.
Can't remember the exact numbers , but it ended up just harder than WW

I find every batch of range lead is a different hardness
So I test it's hardness and go from there .

I haven't cast any bullets from this batch , but the ingots look good

Johnch

Lloyd Smale
01-25-2007, 08:47 PM
I mix mine 5050 with wws

Pepe Ray
01-25-2007, 09:25 PM
Quiknot
Is this your first time at range recovery?
If so, do you use a GOOD mask? If not, get one.

A word to the wise-----.
Pepe Ray