Question about using lead shot

[acder]

Iam going to be casting for my .41 swiss (smokeless powder- about 1400 FPS 320 grain boolit) using wheel weights-I have some lead shot lying about that I have no use for-can I add this to the wws at perhaps a 50/50 mix and maintain correct hardness?

I am new at this and appreciate any and all advice!

[357maximum]

I would save that shot for something else down the road. You need to add pure lead to your mix and soften it a bit...you are thinking a bit backwards. That lead shot will come in handy some day for a heat treated alloy....get some pure lead and mix it about 50/50 with your wheelweights and air cool the boolits...you should be "just right" with that mix.

[ovendoctor]

might consider selling the shot

people are crying for shot

[missionary5155]

If that lead shot is NOT Magnum lead shot it is possible plain old chilled lead.. Not Antimony hardened shot.

[Larry Gibson]

357maximum is correct if it is magnumlead shot and has 2-3% antimony in it. Great for other alloys and heat treating by itself for excellent exapnding bullets. Missionary5155 is also correct if it is plain old chilled shot. If thats what it is then consider the 50/50 mix 357maximum also suggested.

Larry Gibson

[DLCTEX]

I'd sell the shot and buy a good alloy. Shot costs around $1.85 # or more.

[BABore]

According to Lawerance Shot Company, their shot contains the following;

Chilled Shot: 97.50% Pb, 2.00% Antimony, 0.50% Arsenic
Magnum Shot: 93.75% Pb, 5.00% Antimony, 1.25% Arsenic

Notice the 4 to 1 ratio of antimony to arsenic. From the alloy testing I've done using shot, that ratio is important in developing the maximum hardeness with the antimony that's present. Adding 1 to 1.5% tin to magnum lead shot will result in a very hard alloy when heat treated. Sort of a super WW alloy. It is the next step up in the quest for speed.

[WARD O]

I have about 75 #'s of #4 buckshot. It came in old powder bottles so I don't know the manufacturer. Anyone know it's makeup? Or a good additive to make decent pistol bullets?

Ward

[BABore]

Buckshot is usually the same as magnum shot. You could probably mix it 50/50 with Pb and add about a point of tin for your pistol. Try them air cooled and water dropped. You'll probably be surprised when the AC'd boolits shoot more accurately for you.

[acder]

Ok-I believe this is just plain old chilled shot-so I get this straight, adding some to the wheel weights will reduce the hardness of the alloy-which is desirable in a smokeless lower velocity rifle load? In other words-straight wheel weights would be too hard?

thanks again to everyone for helping a complete neophyte.