Roofing lead???

[cricco]

So, I just aquired about 100 lbs of roofing lead, and some lead pipe. This stuff is all nearly pure lead. I want to smelt it into ingots, and cast my 9mm and .45 ACP boolits with it. Is it okay to do this? Should i mix it 50/50 with wheel weights? Now I'm getting into the confusing aspect. :confused:

[fredj338]

Pure lead neither cast well nor gives good results above 800fps or so. You might get buy in 45acp but not 9mm. I use the 50/50 ww/lead for most of my sub 1000fps stuff, straight ww above that.

[dolang1]

I've been mixing WW and Pure lead 50/50. One neighbor is a roofer and one is an ex plumber. I use it in 45, 9, and 38 without a problem. Later Don

[lwknight]

You need to add tin. 2-3%
Thats my vote.

[runfiverun]

the 45 might like it with some tin but i doubt the 9 will.
i'd try it in the 45 and save the ww's for the 9.
or mix 50-50 with the ww's you can always waterdrop for the 9 if it wants harder, then your alloy can stay the same.
might need a bit of tin either way and some heat.

[cricco]

Roger that! Thank you guys!

[StarMetal]

Roofing lead is full of all kinds of pollutants from acid rain. It sure all be mailed to me in flat rate boxes for proper disposal. :bigsmyl2::kidding:

PM me for details.

Joe

[sqlbullet]

StarMetal is such a great guy. I see him making that offer all the time. Usually he will pay your shipping too, just to be sure it gets proper disposal!

To the OP, I wouldn't mix them when refining. I would keep them seperate. I only combine at casting time, not before. What has been mixed together cannot be unmixed.

I think that is what you meant, but wanted to be sure.

[stubshaft]

I usually cut out the solder joints and cast into marked ingots. It allows me to recreate different alloys more easily. Good score!

[richhodg66]

It's great for muzzle loader bullets, you might try to trade it to a muzzle loader shooter for some other alloy.

[Defcon-One]

I see Near Pure as harder to find and therefore more valuable. I would keep it separate. You can always trade it, even up or at a slight premium, for WW lead as stated above!

Mix what you need, when you need it, and keep your options open.