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Thread: pure lead, or .... ?

  1. #1
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    pure lead, or .... ?

    otis elevator weights? pure lead or some alloy? got 60# or so of these, might as well use 'em in the casting furnaces!


  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    triggerhappy243's Avatar
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    what do they sound like when dropped on the floor?

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
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    I use the old fingernail test. If you can scratch with you nail it more likely close to pure lead

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    i have a lot of lead i can scratch with my finger nails, but most of it is too hard for me to use in my muzzle loaders. So i get it tested by bne, then sort accordingly.

  5. #5
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    look up pencil hardness test, that can get you close

  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy pete501's Avatar
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    I'll guess its Babbitt. Take it to your scrap yard and have it tested using their RFX gun.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master Retumbo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by pete501 View Post
    I'll guess its Babbitt. Take it to your scrap yard and have it tested using their RFX gun.
    I agree


    No. 3 Babbitt – General purpose high speed Babbitt. Works well with thin bearings of light running machinery with light to medium pressures such as compressors, electric motors, pumps and stationary engine parts.
    – 87% Tin, 10% Antimony, 3% Copper

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
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    I spoke to my buddy who works for Otis he said it's babbit.
    I also found this thread in the archives.
    http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...abbit-question

    Babbit question: Current #3 babbit alloy has a tin content of about 83%. I have a 7# ingot of Otis #3, which I assume is babbit. It has a BHN 17, which would suggest a high tin content. Is the old babbit the same alloy as the new.

    Answer: It's probably quite similar, there were some standards set that manufacturers had to keep within when they produced a babbitt. Could however be a bit less Sb, as most babbitts have a BHN of at least 23, even some of the lead based ones.

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master fredj338's Avatar
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    If you can dent it with a hammer, it will cast bullets.
    EVERY GOOD SHOOTER NEEDS TO BE A HANDLOADER.
    NRA Cert. Inst. Met. Reloading & Basic Pistol

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check