Anywhere still alloy and gas checks ?

[Wolfdog91]

Trying to find somewhere with some Lyman #2 and 6.5 gas checks in stock but ain't having any luck , anyone know of anywhere right now ? Tryin to buy bitch from one place to save shipping

[dverna]

Just something to consider.

Lyman #2 is 95-5-5 and has a BHN of 15
"Hardball" alloy is what commercial casters use and it is 94-2-6 (Pb, Sn, Sb) with the same BHN of 15.

Tin is the expensive component and not the most cost effective way to increase hardness but makes the bullet less brittle and easier to cast. If you are looking for hardness, 2% tin will still provide good casting fill out and Hardball is easier to find and less costly.

The one advantage of Lyman #2 is if you are cutting it with pure or range lead, (say 1:1) you will still have plenty of tin (Sn) for good fill out. If you are shooting paper and steel, and not mixing alloy, hardball alloy might be a wiser choice. 90% of my alloy is 94-2-6 but I do not hunt with cast bullets.

#2 alloy may perform better wrt expansion but others will chime in who know.

Edit to add:
If you have trouble finding Hardball I can sell you some to get you by. PM me. For others, do not contact me as I am not selling off inventory...just trying to help out Wolf so I can see more of his interesting posts...LOL

Missouri Bullet Company has some listed on their website:
https://missouribullet.com/results.php?category=12

Rotometals has it too:
https://www.rotometals.com/hardball-bullet-casting-alloy-ingot-5-pounds-2-tin-6-antimony-and-92-lead/

I will be at $2/lb plus shipping.

[Delkal]

There are a number of lead alloy calculators online so you should think about trying to alloy something close to it yourself. To me it doesn't matter if it is exactly 95:5:5 and I doubt you will find any difference with a similar alloy as long as the final hardness is the same. If you can get a good price for pure lead or range lead then look on Ebay for some scrap foundry type that goes for about $2.50 a pound (surprisingly close in price to the scrap Ebay lead). Then start going to thrift stores and look for pewter bowl or plates for cheap to get the extra tin (I can usually get pewter for under $5 a pound).

Even though you are starting with some unknown alloys the calculators are close enough and I usually end up with a BHN +/- 0.5. And when in doubt throw in another handful of foundry type for BHN 16.

Gas checks are another story..........

[45workhorse]

Sage gas checks have two sizes for the 6.5.
I know that doesn't help any, wanting to buy both at the same place.
But they are in stock.
Good luck!

Keep posting those barge and water way pictures!

[Winger Ed.]

Keep posting those barge and water way pictures!

I have mixed feeling about them.
Sure, I like seeing them, but they remind me that one time I had the opportunity to work for one of those companies,,,,
but got married instead.


Wolf, I'm almost surprised you're not blending your own alloys and making your own gas checks by now.

[Barry54]

https://www.rmrbullets.com/shop/rmr-in-house/casting-lead-from-rmr-jacketed-bullet-cores-approximately-12-brinnel-hardness/#reviews

Here’s another source for clean lead. I’ve never asked if they could make gas checks.

[gunther]

Was looking for .348 gas checks several years ago. Nobody had them; except Hornady. Yup right out of the factory. Their direct sales policy may have changed, but you ought to give them a call.
Don't know where your tow boat loads and unloads, but there ought to be a marine scrap yard at one end or the other of your journey. Sailboat keels used to be lead. Didn't matter about the alloy, but you might be able to find some cheap enough to worry about the alloy later. Be careful out there.

[oldblinddog]

https://www.rotometals.com/lyman-2-bullet-metal-5-pound-ingot-90-lead-5-tin-5-antimony/

[405grain]

Wolfdog: Have you checked Sage's Outdoors for gas checks? Try here: https://www.sagesoutdoors.com/gas-checks/copper-gas-checks/

[Calamity Jake]

check your PM box

[35 Rem]

Here's a source for Lyman #2 but they don't seem to have gas checks since their main product is ready to load bullets.

https://missouribullet.com/results.php?category=12

[Wolfdog91]

Thanks everyone,sorry the site has been acting weird for me most of the week and havent been able to post somehow anyhow managed to get some gas checks from sages aaannnd idk about alloy right now think I still have enough in the post for a decent batch of bullets
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240311/bdd34394efd3600339969ab5fc1741de.jpg

Sent from my motorola edge 5G UW (2021) using Tapatalk

[Wolfdog91]

check your PM box

Tried to respond but won't let me, something about my inbox

[405grain]

Apparently you've become notorious. :bigsmyl2: