how to...?

[rmcc]

Hi ALL!!

I know this is an old question, probably. But how do you take straight Xray lead and get it to WW hardness, Or better yet, what ratio of WW to PB to get useful bullets.

Thanks,
Rich

[bumpo628]

Here are a few ways. The middle one is most popular around here.

7 lbs pure lead
3 lbs clip-on wheel weight
1 oz of 50/50 solder
= 10 lbs of alloy with 0.46% Tin, 0.89% Antimony, hardness @ 9.6

6 lbs pure lead
4 lbs clip-on wheel weight
1 oz of 50/50 solder
= 10 lbs of alloy with 0.50% Tin, 1.19% Antimony, hardness @ 9.8

5 lbs pure lead
5 lbs clip-on wheel weight
1 oz of 50/50 solder
= 10 lbs of alloy with 0.56% Tin, 1.49% Antimony, hardness @ 10.1

4 lbs pure lead
6 lbs clip-on wheel weight
1 oz of 50/50 solder
= 10 lbs of alloy with 0.61% Tin, 1.79% Antimony, hardness @ 10.4

3 lbs pure lead
7 lbs clip-on wheel weight
1 oz of 50/50 solder
= 10 lbs of alloy with 0.66% Tin, 2.09% Antimony, hardness @ 10.7

The calcs above were done assuming that WW lead has 0.5% Tin, 3% Antimony, hardness =12.
I made an alloy calculator in excel if you want a copy.

[*Paladin*]

Hi ALL!!

I know this is an old question, probably. But how do you take straight Xray lead and get it to WW hardness, Or better yet, what ratio of WW to PB to get useful bullets.

Thanks,
Rich

You didn't specify what cartridge you're loading for, but if, for example, it's .45 ACP or .45 Colt, or .38 Special, you can do very well with 50/50 pure to WW.

[rmcc]

Thanks guys!! Printed off the table and hung in shop. Paladin, you were right on target. It will be used for 158gr SWC in 38 Spl and 230 TC in 45 ACP.

Thanks a ton!!!

Rich

[Hardcast416taylor]

Don`t forget, if you want your bullets a mite tougher on the outside - water drop quench them.Robert

[white eagle]

assuming that Bumps mix is the same as yours
your mix will end up like the examples he gave
ww vary in different areas ..............
mix em up 50/50 like Paladin said
that will be a good start
if you need em a bit harder change your percentages
and or water quench them
this all can be confusing at first but just be concerned about fit
alloys will come

[rmcc]

These will be just paper punchers and can shooters. My main effort is to make a soft shooting load that doesn't lead barrels. Velocity is not the issue, for speed I will use the J word bullets.

Thanks,
Rich

[white eagle]

j bullets ...........speed ?????

[rmcc]

I have always shot jacketed bullets, was forced to consider casting. A friend set me up with everything I needed and that is when I found out two things. First, How really little I truly knew about the reloading game until I came to you guys here on this forum!! Secondly, was how much fun it was to make your own bullets!! Let alone how cheap it is! White Eagle I still use jacketed bullets for high velocity but am shooting a lot more lead these days.

Thanks to all here! You have helped me to start learning this craft.

Rich

[cbunt1]

...Let alone how cheap it is! White Eagle I still use jacketed bullets for high velocity but am shooting a lot more lead these days.

Thanks to all here! You have helped me to start learning this craft.

Rich

And never again will you be stuck with a box of 1000 9mm projectiles when you really want to load .45, and have none! [smilie=w: