How many bullets?

[mikeh3]

Again another question from someone just getting started in casting.
Does anyone have any idea approximately how many 150-160 grain bullets I should expect from a five gallon bucket of wheel weights?
So far I have collected fifteen gallons of wheel weights and wondering how much I really need.

[trooperdan]

I'd say you have about 15,000 boolits there, give or take 2,000.

[Freightman]

It is a matter of math: one pound = 7000 grains / 150 - 160= xxxxx
and you will not stop there, I started with 500# of smelted lead and cast 1000's and I have never touched the origional lead. I have buckets of un-smelted lead under every bench in the shop. It is a sickness!!!!!

[mikeh3]

Thanks for your reply. I would think that amount would last me the rest of my life.

[Leftoverdj]

C. 40 bullets to the pound, c. 90 pounds clean metal to the bucket x 3 = c. 10,000 bullets = one year competition, two years just playing.

[mooman76]

If you know how much the bucket weights, I usually get 90% of the weight back after smelting and I get rid of the garbage.

[Jim]

Freightman is right, it IS a sickness in that it is addicting. I've walked through the parking lot in Wal-mart and found myself twitching at the sight of a WW laying on the ground unattended.

[Junior1942]

I get 84 lbs of ingots from 100 lbs of wheelweights.

[Forester]

I seem to get about 100lbs of clean alloy from a 5 gal. bucket of WWs.

thusly...100*7000=700,000
700,000/160=4,375 boolits

[MT Gianni]

I seem to get about 100lbs of clean alloy from a 5 gal. bucket of WWs.

thusly...100*7000=700,000
700,000/160=4,375 boolits

Times 15 buckets he has = 65,625 give or take a few. Gianni

[corvette8n]

One can never have enough lead especially when you start going broke on the group buys and have dozens of mold to feed.
Try casting Ranch Dogs .460-420gr TLGC the two cavity mold seem to suck my 10lb pot dry in 20 minutes.

On this board "One can never be too rich or too thin" translates to
"One can never have too many ww's or too many molds"

[1Shirt]

I come close to Jr. Some place between 80-85 lb per 5 gal pail depending some on the size of the weights. The bigger the better on the weights that limits the number of clips. I would guess that somepace in the 3500 to 4000 would be my estimate based on your casting methods amount of fluxing and skimming.
1Shirt!:coffeecom

[HORNET]

mikeh3,
How much do you really need?? I figure that the proper answer depends on the load limit for your storage facility. If the garage floor starts sinking into the ground, you probably have a little too much (and need more storage).[smilie=1: