Lead, Linotype, Lyman #2, WW..????

[rbertalotto]

I have recently come into a few hundred pounds of pure lead bricks from power plant construction. At the same time a friend dropped of a couple hundred pounds of linotype.

I believe my best bet for my 45-70 shooting 535 grain Postell or 457125 Lyman bullets is "20-1" lead.

What ratio would I use linotype to lead to arrive at something similar to 20-1?

I also have lots of Lyman #2 and WW that I use in my CAS revolvers and 45LC lever rifles. But I've not had any success using it over black powder in the 45-70 single shots.

Any help or comments would be appreciated.....

[badgeredd]

I really don't understand your question. 20:1 is lead to tin ratio. Linotype is about 4%tin and 12% antimony with the remainder lead. Are you trying to match the hardness of 20:1 alloy?

Edd

[rbertalotto]

Yes....Trying to get close to 20-1 hardness

[M-Tecs]

What ratio would I use linotype to lead to arrive at something similar to 20-1?



You can’t use linotype to get to 20-1. You have three times more antimony than tin in linotype. Trading your linotype for tin is the only way to make that work. If you use linotype you will get 20 parts lead, three parts antimony and one part tin.

[ShooterAZ]

20-1 is 95% lead 5% tin. With Lino only 4% tin, you will have a little trouble getting to 20-1 any way you slice it!

[bumpo628]

I just posted this in another thread yesterday, maybe it will help.


Linotype is 4% tin, 12% antimony, 84% lead
If you mix it with pure in the following ratios (pure:lino), here is what you will get:
1:1 = alloy with 2% tin, 6% antimony (aka Hardball)
2:1 = alloy with 1.33% tin, 4% antimony
3:1 = alloy with 1% tin, 3% antimony
4:1 = alloy with 0.8% tin, 2.4% antimony
5:1 = alloy with 0.67% tin, 2% antimony
6:1 = alloy with 0.57% tin, 1.7% antimony
7:1 = alloy with 0.5% tin, 1.5% antimony

[Larry Gibson]

rbertalotto

In case you've not guessed by now you can get to 20-1 no matter what you do. However, with a few hundred pounds of pure lead bricks you have an easy shot at 20-1. Get some pure tin. It seems expensive at the out set but the % used is small so it goes a long ways. Basically you need 1 lb of tin for every 20 lbs of lead.

You might even be able to trade the linotype for some tin. I would trade you for some but you're on the wrong side of the country. The linotype will make for some very good smokeless CF cartridge bullets and when mixed with lead it can go a lot farther, especially at 40/50 or even at 80/20 for HV CF bullets.

Larry Gibson

[ShooterAZ]

Another route would be to purchase some 50/50 solder....50% tin 50% lead. I work at Ace Hardware and we have one pound rolls which would equate to 8oz of tin per roll. A bit spendy though.

[rbertalotto]

THANKS FOLKS! You can learn a whole bunch over here!

Looks like I'll be ordering some TIN from Rotometals.

Thanks!

[John Boy]

... come into a few hundred pounds of pure lead bricks from power plant construction. Have you done a hardness test to determine if these bricks are really pure lead - Bhn 5? Might want to see the Title on Sam's isotope lead he sells ... Isotope Lead 10 to 10.5 BHN
http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=86491

Don't believe Sam is far off the hardness. I've read that this lead is Bhn 11

[Rockchucker]

A member over in the S&S section has tin for sale if your interested.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=148918