I have no way of verifying the accuracy of my thermometer. I do suspect that it reads hot as I can't get good fill out with with COWW +2% tin with anything under about 725°.
I have no way of verifying the accuracy of my thermometer. I do suspect that it reads hot as I can't get good fill out with with COWW +2% tin with anything under about 725°.
yeah, I learned my lesson long ago with that. I bought 100 lbs of "COWW" ingots from a guy on Craigslist for a dollar a pound and it was no good. I was able to mix it out with good alloy to dilute down the zinc to a usable level but still not ideal.
For a great thermometer, buy one of these (and just set the relay aside till you want the full PID control).
I browse Ebay pretty regularly and hardly ever see a good deal on lead. And pretty often the good deals have expensive shipping added making them less of a good deal.
I’d buy it at .63 per lb and don’t think you could go wrong at that price. Already in ingot form that’s cheap.
Buy it! worry about the mix later. It's already proven to cast well and in a weight range that will work and makes sense. Buy it or post the seller so we can buy it. Lol.
This thread will feature amazing Estate Sales of lead alloy for younger members to buy.
From the RCBS Cast Bullet manual #1, here is some reference data on weight difference based on alloy:
Expected bullet weight if poured from other than 1:10
250 grain - If cast of wheel weight would add 1.6 grains, if cast of Lino the weight decreases by 10.2, if cast of pure lead the weight increase 11.1 grains.
Would have no issue purchasing this at this low cost. Dial in your loads and keep it as 1 lot of metal. With 240 pounds that is enough lead for 14,608 115 grain 9mm bullets or 7,304 230 grain .45's or 9,333 180 grain .30 caliber bullets. Certainly enough to work up and dial in a load at a very nice low price.
From the sound of it - litterally - it could be a babbit alloy with a high tin content - 80% or higher. If so it will be great for alloying pure lead. Comparing a mystery alloy boolit with a pure lead one from the same mold will give a good indikation of the alloy - the lighter the boolit, the higher the tin content.
Cap'n Morgan
With all the craziness in the world, and how hard it is to get lead now, I'm so glad my father bought the lead we have when he did. 5K# for $300 35 years ago...
wear your scars with pride, a scarless man hasn't felt the hardship of life......
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 |