How much tin is too much?

[rayg]

Just curious how much tin in a bullet is too much? Also what is the proper mix. I heard 1-10, 2-10 etc. I don't have any linotype so have to use a lead tin mix.
I need to find where to get some linotype. Anyone know who might be selling some. I don't need that much, Ray

[Calamity Jake]

Alloy mix is dependent on application(what your going to do with it) but anything over 2% tin is a waste of high $ tin. 20#'s lead and 6.5oz tin is a 2% mix and about right for low vol. hand gun boolets. A 20:1 mix is has over 6% tin in it, and is a waste in my book!
Just use WW, if you can get some, cast at 725-775° and don't worry about it.

[Gohon]

I've read other posters that say anything over 2% tin is a waste but Lyman shows their #2 Alloy contains 5% tin. Their formula with Wheel weights would be to add one pound of 50/50 bar solder to 9 pounds of WW to make #2 Alloy (90/5/5) at 15 BHN.

[Cherokee]

Two things: over 2% is generally not necessary. With antimony present, as in linotype, I understand tin should not exceed the % of antimony. OK, ww's have some antimony in then, tin is added to help castability, boolit fill out. YMMV

Midway may have linotype alloy available. There are online sources and evil-bay.

[montana_charlie]

I you want to use tin (and only tin) to get a harder alloy, 10% is the most that will have any effect. For 'soft' bullet alloy, between 2% and 5% is most common. But, a 16-1 mix is frequently used in BPCR bullets.
CM

[runfiverun]

10% tin is what rcbs and lee uses for their mold measurements.
for handgun stuff 20-1 is good,30-1 works on the lower end, and elmer used 16-1 for his hot loads.
winchester used 20-30-40- to one at various times in their factory ammo.

[trk]

I have a BUNCH of 96% tin 4% CU and 1% Sliver. IT makes right much hard bullets, but they're a bit light.

[Heavy lead]

I have a BUNCH of 96% tin 4% CU and 1% Sliver. IT makes right much hard bullets, but they're a bit light.

THEM ARE THOSE NEW GREEN BOOLITS

[docone31]

I find, when I have too much tin, such as tossing some of my "other" lead, I have to wait a long time for the sprue to freeze.
I noticed that when I would tip the cut off sprue into the pot, and sometimes half the casting would flow into it.
That is when I take a lot out, and start again.
I just went to my favourite tire shop today. No wheel weights! The supplier takes them and gives them serious credit on getting more.
I got a few off the floor, but that was it.
I am glad I am a wrapper! I can use interesting blends with paper. At least in my calibers.
I am going to have to purchase lead!
At least I know I have lots of tin.
Melts at real low temp.

[prs]

Wasting tin is a SiN! ;-)

Use only enough to get good fill-out definition. Begin with 1% or less and work up to whatever, but I've never needed more than the 1% to get purdy boolits.

prs

[S.R.Custom]

The closer you get to 92-6-2 lead-tin-antimony, the brighter the world seems to appear... :)

[missionary5155]

I will agree with the idea of using only the necessary amount of tin to get a good boolit. Other metals much cheaper will make boolits much harder if needed. I am really amazed at how fast 30-1 (possible less tin) can be pushed in revolvers if the boolit is at least chamber mouth size. I use 6-7 grains Unique in .357 with the Ideal 358432 160wc. Also 8-10 grains Unique in my Colt New Service with an old Winchester 44 WCF 200 grain "Bumped" and sized through the removed cylinder.

[pdawg_shooter]

I came across some 60/40 wire solder a while back. While melting into ingots I cast 20 bullets just for the hell of it. Made beautiful bullets that shot great. They were a little light and harder then necessary. I normally add 2% by weight to WW to get a better fill.