Babbit alloy for boolits, Whats this alloy I have?? Pics.

[mikenbarb]

I was just given 30- 5 pound bars of Kirk that an oldtimer bought back in the 50's sometime for boolit casting but he cant remember what alloy it is. I had one from him a while ago to try out and never used it. He just found a bunch more and gave them to me so I have enough to last a while if its a good alloy for boolits and if so what mixture to use for a #2 hardness or higher. Im wondering if anyone knows if this is a babbit alloy or a bar solder? Its Kirk brand and their stamped with a #73 on the backside. I have a Saeco lead tester so if theres a way to tell with the hardness I can test them. Heres a pic of what they all look like. Thanks, Mike
PS- They have a low thud ringing sound to them and nothing like a WW or #2 thats much higher of a ringing sound.
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/mikenbarbj/002-44.jpg

[deltaenterprizes]

Could be solder, babbit rings. Take to a scrap yard and have them scan it,they will tell you what the composition is.

[imashooter2]

Might be Kirksite which is aluminum and zinc... worthless for boolit casting.

[mikenbarb]

It scratches like hard lead. Im gonna try to find a scrapyerd with a tester. I will post what they come up with.

[Superfly]

you wont be scratching babbit if it is high tin babbit.

[mold maker]

Nor zinc/tin mix. That would be hard as the dickens.

[StarMetal]

If one can scratch a piece of steel with an awl you can scratch any babbit known to man. You probably won't be able to determine what it's content is, but you can scratch it.

Joe

[sheepdog]

Nor zinc/tin mix. That would be hard as the dickens.

I would imagine if its Alum/Zinc the weight (or lack there of) would be a giveaway.

[Slow Elk 45/70]

+1 on size and weight, 5# ingot with a lot of Aluminum in it will be larger and way liter than babbit, with no "ring" I would think zinc and aluminum IMHO, but the test will tell all.

[Superfly]

you wont scratch it with your fingernail Like we all do when testing lead for purity.
I have lots of babbit and it is hard.

BHN of about 19 i use it in my boolits and like it ALOT.

[mikenbarb]

I didnt get it tested yet but the dimensions are 8-1/2"Lx1-1/2"Wx1"H if that helps any. Im gonna melt some off tommorow and test the hardness of it.
PS- I scratched it with my nail but its not as soft as pure lead.