how to; spent lead from small stones?

[jrmcroberts]

when scavenging lead, after your backstop mash is sifted and free of dirt, how do you remove the remaining, (similar size an weighted,) stones. tryed using a shovel and "pan the lead" which works, but proved to be terrible, both in speed and volume.

[montana_charlie]

Smelt the 'ore' and throw the 'contaminates' on the slag heap...

CM

[lwknight]

+1
I would throw in a pecan sized chunk of parafin and stir it ( with a long handled spoon ) around while its flaming.
Just about the time the flames die out , its time to rake the junk to the side and
lift it out.
You will recover almost all of your lead that way. Without the parifin/wax a lot of lead will be stuck to the rocks and dirt.

[mooman76]

What Montana Charlie said. Get you some lead melted first and ad a small amount at a time. The bits of lead will melt quickly if you already have some melted in the pot. Skim off the garbage and continue. When you get enough to make ingots, make ingots but always leave some melt in the pot to keep the opperation moving.

[geargnasher]

Watch out for flint rocks, they can pop if they get hot enough.

Gear

[mold maker]

Keep a really close look out for live rounds that some jerk throws down range.. They will ruin you day, maybe forever.

[theperfessor]

I'll second Gear's warning. And be sure they are really dry. Some porous or cracked stones can retain enough moisture to maybe cause you a problem.