Scrap pewter

[jaysouth]

I can buy scrap sheet trimmins of 93%tin, 5%antimony and 2%copper for $10 per pound. How much of this do I have to add to pure lead to get 12-15 BH bullets?

Is $10 per pound a good price?

Thanks

[imashooter2]

$10 for 93% tin is below market for virgin alloy, but not what I'd call a good price.

1:10 tin:lead would be about 11 BHN. With the trace copper and antimony, maybe a little more. Expensive alloy though. You'd be better off trading the pewter for WW or buying linoype to add to your lead.

[bumpo628]

As far as how good a deal it is, I'd say it is about average compared to what I've seen in the forum. If you frequent thrift stores, you can generally get the odd piece here and there for $5 to $6 per pound. Around my area, it is hard to find. I would definitely buy at least 10 lbs especially since you know the exact percentages of the alloy.

I don't think you can get a tin-lead alloy up to 15 bhn. You're going to need some more antimony in there to harden it up. If you can get your hands on some magnum shot, then you can make your own Hardball (2% tin, 6% antimony, hardness 16) or Lyman #2 (5% tin, 5% antimony, hardness 15).

For Hardball,
4 oz pewter + 11.5 lbs magnum shot = alloy with 1.98% tin, 5.98% antimony

For @ Lyman #2,
9 oz pewter + 10.0 lbs magnum shot = alloy with 4.95% tin, 5.95% antimony (hardness @ 15.5)

This is assuming that magnum shot is 6% antimony and the balance lead.

[btroj]

It isn't a bad price. You might get a few pounds to have on hand for sweetening an alloy that needs it.
I have a bunch of old auto body solder and rarely use any. I find that most alloys cast fine with the tin already in them.

[jsizemore]

I pay between $3-$4/lb for scrap pewter because that's the current price.

[jaysouth]

Thanks for the quick responses.

Jay

[alamogunr]

Pewter is still being manufactured. This (http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/oct/07/heirloom-family/) appeared in the newspaper a few days ago. It is about 50 miles from where I live.