Wheel Weight Substitute

[Alstep]

I've used 50/50 Pb/WW for my pistols for years, but now I'm running out of WW. I've got a good supply of Linotype. What would be the right proportion of Pb/lino to match the hardness of my old PB/WW?

[hawkenhunter50]

Using the lead alloy calculator, looks like a 10:1 ratio lead:lino should get you about the same overall. This should give a little more tin %, a little less antimony %, and about the same hardness.

[charlie b]

From http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Chapter_3_alloySelectionMetallurgy.ht m

Hardness of Tertiary Lead/Antimony/Tin Alloys

Alloy Composition Hardness
Lead 5
Wheelweights 95% Pb 3% Sb 0.3% Sn 12
Lyman #2 90% Pb 5% Sb 5% Sn 15
Linotype 84% Pb 12% Sb 4% Sn 22
Lead based Babbitt 85/10/5 19
Lead based Babbitt 80/15/5 20

[fredj338]

I've used 50/50 Pb/WW for my pistols for years, but now I'm running out of WW. I've got a good supply of Linotype. What would be the right proportion of Pb/lino to match the hardness of my old PB/WW?

I run like 6-1 lead/lino? 10-1 seems a bit soft.

[northmn]

I use birdshot the larger magnum size like 5 or 4's have about the same components. It also has a touch of arsenic so it will harden. Best to add a little tin to get it to flow. Too much tin lightens the bullets where this is about the same.

DEP

[Winger Ed.]

For low speed handgun stuff, I only add enough WW to get a nice fill in the mold.
My WW content is closer to 20% rather than 1/2 & 1/2.

Since pure Lead swaged boolits will work- I don't add any more goodies than I have to for getting a good fill out.

I save my 'goodies' for rifle boolits that actually need to be harder.

[quilbilly]

I replaced wheel weights long ago with the pure lead plus hard, chilled birdshot mix. My alloy is about 30% shot and 70% pure with a little pure tin added as DEP said.