Need a hand identifying scrap lead

[scottnc]

I was recently given over 100 pounds of lead. The fellow who did the donating called it (mind the spelling!) "cooksite". He thought it had some amount of zinc added. Does "cooksite" as a lead alloy mean anything to any of you?

[Pepe Ray]

Sounds ,to me, that you've just acquired a supply of sling shot pellet alloy.
If you so choose to use it, be sure to use a designated pot, not to be confused w/ your boolet making alloy supplys.
Back in the 60's & 70's there was a commercial alloy called "Leadite", used for pouring pipe joints. Terrible stuff. Useless for boolets. Don't know how the title of Cooksite can tell you but you may try "Googeling" it. The definitive word is Zinc.
Pepe Ray

[GSM]

If its:

Kirksite:

Definition: An alloy of aluminum and zinc, easily castable at relatively low temperatures, often used for molds. Its high thermal conductivity aids in accelerating cooling cycles.
Definition Copyright ©1989 CRC Press LLC. All rights reserved.

It's junk for bullet making.

[jnovotny]

Kirksite is probably what the old guy was talking about, should weigh a litlle lite.

[scottnc]

I've been using it to hold the front of my tractor down when the disk is on. Might be the best place for it!

[trevj]

If its:

Kirksite:

.......
It's junk for bullet making.

If it casts, and it's heavy, it'd be OK for some stuff, no?

Shotgun slugs, maybe paper patched slugs. Stuff where the alloy does not contact the bore.

Personally, though, I figure if a lump of that stuff landed in my lap, I'd start looking at things I could make, like canonball sinkers (anyone ever use a downrigger for fishing?), Jig heads or pyramid sinkers, a duckboat anchor or two, decoy weights, etc.
A 10 pound cannonball sinker for a downrigger, retails for about $65 here, or a bit more. Pretty far over scrap lead prices.

A little thought and some labor would parlez that lump into a couple years worth of pure lead, if one was so inclined.

Tractor weight, eh? Good enough use, for a freebie..

Cheers
Trev