when they say: 10 to 1...16 to 1...20 to 1...30 to 1...what are they reffering to?

[mozeppa]

i seen this in a lyman book page of off the internet. ..an wondered what the "10" is? in 10 to 1
and what the "1" is?
i have pure lead about 100 pounds .
i have pewter about 20 pounds
and i have lino about 400 pounds


we plink .380 to 45colt

105 grain to 230 grain

no max loads ...i thought i'd ask the smart crowd before i waste some precious metals!

[Nueces]

Typically, the big number in the ratio is lead and the small one is tin. So, "10 to 1" can be made with 10 pounds of lead and one of tin. Long ago, binary alloys of lead and tin were the commonly used and recommended ones for cast bullets.

[RobS]

10 part lead to 1 part tin; 16 part lead to 1 part tin etc. These are termed as lead/tin binary alloys.

[C. Latch]

we plink .380 to 45colt

105 grain to 230 grain

no max loads ...i thought i'd ask the smart crowd before i waste some precious metals!

Linotype has much more tin and antimony than you need or want for such bullets. You could cut it with your pure lead, but it would still be too hard (due to antimony and tin) IMO.

Linotype is valuable, and you could probably trade a pound of it for 2 pounds, or more, of wheelweight alloy, or range scrap; either work well enough for the plinking loads you describe. In short, using linotype for plinking loads is a waste of good materials other casters might pay a premium for.

[JohnH]

Linotype has much more tin and antimony than you need or want for such bullets. You could cut it with your pure lead, but it would still be too hard (due to antimony and tin) IMO.

Linotype is valuable, and you could probably trade a pound of it for 2 pounds, or more, of wheelweight alloy, or range scrap; either work well enough for the plinking loads you describe. In short, using linotype for plinking loads is a waste of good materials other casters might pay a premium for.

Or you can cut linotype 2 parts lead with one part linotype and end with an alloy that is right at the same as wheel weight.

[scottfire1957]

Oh my.

[mozeppa]

why "oh my"?

[scottfire1957]

why "oh my"?

I'm simply surprised that you have done no actual reading on this website. Had you done so, you'd have not needed to ask the question.

I apologize if I offended, but the information you sought is readily available.


http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?222520-Why-some-new-members-will-do-better-than-others-here

[fredj338]

Or you can cut linotype 2 parts lead with one part linotype and end with an alloy that is right at the same as wheel weight.

Or cut it 4-1 for a good alloy for most handgun applications.