Mystery Lead Alloy...?

[Maximumbob54]

I say "Mystery Lead Alloy" because my father took the mix to his grave. I don't want to get into why him and I didn't talk more (because the reasons suck bad...) but he took his secrets to his grave. I just used some of his alloy and they cast a lead that would make a good knock off of the Lone Ranger's silver bullets. It looks like it has been dipped in chrome almost. What the heck combo makes this effect in the final alloy when casting??? I water dropped them only to cool them because they usually dent so easily but in the bucket they don't. This is the best pic I could take to show it but I swear some of them look polished. I don't have a lead hardness tester but they won't even scratch with a finger nail. That doesn't say much besides they aren't soft.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x333/Maximumbob54/IMAG0301.jpg

[runfiverun]

lymans #2 and lino used to be easy to get and were popular casting alloys.

[arjacobson]

Looks like it has a bunch of tin mixed in with it??/

[docone31]

I had someone bring me 100lbs from the pistol range.
I melted it down into two 50lb batches. It is definately frosted, with well defined crystal patterns.
My thinking is these were commercial cast loads, and I will have to sweeten it with roof lead.
I got 100lbs of roof lead coming soon. Should work out to a good filling fairly soft casting.
They will not look as shiney as yours though. I had some that looked that shiney, but I tossed in some zinc. The shine went a way. I had to really thin it out.
Such is life.
Mayhaps I got some of my own castings?

[Maximumbob54]

Had I known they would turn out like this I would have taken before and after pictures. The ingots that went into the pot looked like any other lead I have melted. And it poured just fine at the usual setting I use. It's as if something leached out to the surface while it was in the mold. Unless water dropping them activated something in the alloy. They just make me miss my dad even more. I will have to save a hand full of them loose and save a hand full loaded. I bet they will look like they came from Macy's when I load some into nickel plated brass. I will have to cherry pick a few for that. MidwayUSA, hurry up and bring me my new turret so I can load these!!! Besides the minor joy in my first successful casting I have never been excited about this. Funny.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x333/Maximumbob54/IMAG0302.jpg

[454PB]

It looks like linotype to me....

[fatelk]

I agree. I haven't used much lino, but the few bullets I have made from pure linotype came out looking just like that. Almost seems like a waste to use pure lino for regular boolits anymore.

Water dropped lino should be stinkin' hard, right?

[Maximumbob54]

I am making an assumption that these ingots were ready to go and not just ready to be added to something else because of a certain high content in the alloy.

[454PB]

Well if you really want to know what it is, there are a few tests you could do. The higher the percentage of antimony, the lighter and larger the resulting boolit.

Straight linotype should measure around 20 to 24 BHN (22 BHN is what's usually accepted), and if you have access to a hardness tester, that's the place to start. Since you don't some samples cast in the same mould could be weighed for comparison. As an example, pure lead might weigh 260 grs. in our test mould, WW alloy around 250 grs., and linotype 240 grs. In addition, the higher the percentage of antimony, the larger the diameter. Pure lead might measure .450", WW alloy .452", and linotype .453".

If maintaining hardness is your main goal and the mystery alloy is linotype, you could mix it 1 part lino to 2 parts pure lead and water drop the boolits. That should yield 20 BHN or more and still allow some ductility. I've never water dropped straight linotype (can't see the need), but it should give 30 BHN or more.

[lwknight]

If its the standard ternary alloy of casters , a specific gravity test will give you 2 possible compositions.
The hardness and melting /phase temperatures will decide which of the 2 it really is.

Specific gravity calculator is available on this forum.

[ANeat]

Pure lead will also cast a real shiney bullet like that.

Like 454 said, compare diameter and weights and you should be able to get a real good approxamation of what the alloy is.

The melting temp will also be a good indicator. Lino has a very specific melting temp, (465) pure lead melts at a higher temp (621)

[lwknight]

And if it starts melting at 560 and is fully liquid at 580 ?

[ANeat]

And if it starts melting at 560 and is fully liquid at 580 ?

With a shiney bullet like that I would say its a 15:1 lead: tin mix at those temps;)

[lwknight]

And it could be 63/37 solder since the op made no mention of temperatures. Point is that it takes several tests to be realitively certain.

[Maximumbob54]

A thermometer is on my wishlist of yet more things to have. I'm looking at the one Rotometals offers. I'm also going to order the Lee test kit.

[Daddyfixit]

A thermometer is on my wishlist of yet more things to have. I'm looking at the one Rotometals offers. I'm also going to order the Lee test kit.

This is a good one. http://www.teltru.com/p-272-big-gree...degrees-f.aspx
I got one coming for $19.95 + shipping

[arjacobson]

Looks like it has a bunch of tin mixed in with it??/

This got me thinking tonight. I cast a bunch with extra tin and it looks like tin is not the answer.. I did have boolits that looked pretty close to yours when I went to pure lead though???

[Maximumbob54]

This is a good one. http://www.teltru.com/p-272-big-gree...degrees-f.aspx
I got one coming for $19.95 + shipping

Your link isn't working. At that price I'm very curious.

[Maximumbob54]

This got me thinking tonight. I cast a bunch with extra tin and it looks like tin is not the answer.. I did have boolits that looked pretty close to yours when I went to pure lead though???

All I have cast in is as close to pure as I can get lead. It still has a dull gray shine at best. When I don't over heat it and make frosty bullets at least. I keep telling myself that maybe they will hold more lube and lead less and I use them anyways.

[Daddyfixit]

Your link isn't working. At that price I'm very curious.

Sorry, I must have typed with my fat fingers! I'll try again!
http://www.teltru.com/p-270-big-green-egg-mini-replacement-thermometer-lt225r-2001000-degrees-f.aspx

Maximumbob, I just saw this Vendor posting...I always like to support our vendors! ( with shipping it's about the same )
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=102777

[Maximumbob54]

I will go with the Vendor Sponsor. Thanks for the link.


Sorry, I must have typed with my fat fingers! I'll try again!
http://www.teltru.com/p-270-big-green-egg-mini-replacement-thermometer-lt225r-2001000-degrees-f.aspx

Maximumbob, I just saw this Vendor posting...I always like to support our vendors! ( with shipping it's about the same )
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=102777

[a.squibload]

A discussion in this thread:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=99335