Alloy Help

[mozee]

So i have bought about a ton of alloy (94% lead, 6% antimony) in 30kg ingots. I am certain the alloy will be hard enough but would I need to throw in some tin for mold fill? If so, I was considering 1%, so 300 grams. This will be for bullets that will be loaded to less than 1200 fps. Will this be good enough or should I go with 2% tin for a proper hardball alloy? Lastly, and I am by no means a math boffin :veryconfu, am I calculating the tin correctly or is there some other arb formula to add metal to an existing alloy?

[bdicki]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?105952-Lead-alloy-calculators

[mozee]

thank you, seems I missed this calculator.

[kevin c]

I use tin because I have it. Other casters here have stated that they get good fill out without it, simply by running the melt (and mold?) a bit hotter.

Hardball isn't needed for everything. If you're loading pistol at moderate velocities a 3-1 or 3-2 alloy may do fine.

[Conditor22]

Why do you need hardball alloy for 1200 fps?

COWW only has .5% tin The proof is trying it and see how it casts and shoots

https://i.imgur.com/4XDVJT5.png

[mozee]

I use tin because I have it. Other casters here have stated that they get good fill out without it, simply by running the melt (and mold?) a bit hotter.

Hardball isn't needed for everything. If you're loading pistol at moderate velocities a 3-1 or 3-2 alloy may do fine.

Thanks Kevin, yes these loads will not exceed 1200 fps. I will give the alloy I have test and will report once I have put a few bullet downrange.

[mozee]

Why do you need hardball alloy for 1200 fps?

COWW only has .5% tin The proof is trying it and see how it casts and shoots

https://i.imgur.com/4XDVJT5.png

Thanks, yes I agree, it should be casted and tested. I will definitely try the 94-6 alloy I have without the tin. If I dont succeed with a good bullet I will throw tin in 0.5% increments.

[Don1357]

Tin is not just to aid flow. In equal amounts with antimony it stops the alloy from being brittle and shattering on impact.

Heck I have a good amount of soft lead, if you want we can trade. That way you can dial in the amount of antimony you need for a given application.

[mozee]

Tin is not just to aid flow. In equal amounts with antimony it stops the alloy from being brittle and shattering on impact.

Heck I have a good amount of soft lead, if you want we can trade. That way you can dial in the amount of antimony you need for a given application.

Don, thank you for the offer. Unfortunately I am on the other side of the pond. Specifically South Africa.


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[fredj338]

Try casting without first. In 9mm & up sizes, I do fine without adding any tin. I think too many people add tin & too much when they do. 1% would be a max unless you are dealing with something like 20-1 lead/tin for LHP.
Been awhile since I was in RSA, I have a friend with a farm up in the OFS. I need to get back for another trip.

[mozee]

Try casting without first. In 9mm & up sizes, I do fine without adding any tin. I think too many people add tin & too much when they do. 1% would be a max unless you are dealing with something like 20-1 lead/tin for LHP.
Been awhile since I was in RSA, I have a friend with a farm up in the OFS. I need to get back for another trip.

I’ve turned on the new machine and started casting. Had a few rejects as the molds were heating up but after a few throws got nice shiny bullets. I hope to bang some samples tomorrow.

RSA has changed a lot, spending when you were here last. Come over and visit, we can do some safari and then some bush hunting.


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