#2 alloy

[Gundogblue]

I’m fixin to do a little casting and I ran across a 5 lb bar of Bell Systems E, wiping solder. Now I read that that bar is either 40/60 tin, lead, or 50/50 tin lead. If that’s true can I use
1 lb of that with 9 lbs clip on wheel weights to get a Lyman #2 ally..
Thanks,
Paul

[dtknowles]

Not really but that would still be a good alloy. #2 is 90-5-5 Depending on what is in your COWW, your alloy will be at best 91-5-4 probably more like 92-5-3. Use a little less of your solder and shoot for 94-3-3. That extra tin is not helping much.

[RickinTN]

It won't come close unless your wheel weights are about 50 years old. It will still be a good alloy. I have had several batches of clip on wheel weights assayed in the last 10 years and the Antimony content is in the 2.5% range. Only about half of what it would need to be to make Lyman #2.
Good Luck,
Rick

[USSR]

Gundogblue,

Wiping solder is 62 percent lead and 38 percent tin. With it's low tin content, it ain't gonna help you much. You really need some linotype to help get you to 90/5/5 Lyman #2.

Don

[jim147]

I think people worry too much about the exact mix of lead they have and not enough about how the mold fills out and what the boolits do after being properly sized and lubed.

I've only tested a few batchs for hardness out of curiosity. What my lead does means more to me.

[USSR]

With COWW's containing only 3 percent antimony, no way you can get to the 5 percent in Lyman #2. Here is how you can do it with linotype: 7 lbs COWW's, 3 lbs linotype, and 1 lb of your wiping solder.

Don

[dale2242]

My go to alloy for handgun bullets is what you are saying. 1# solder-9 # WWs.
Cast at 725-750*. It makes great bullets.
Don`t worry about exact measurements.

[Soundguy]

#2 is pretty hard for handgun. Imho..a waste of alloy unless you are shooting high pressure speed demons.

I use range scrap that tests out about 10 bhn and they shoot fine in most handgun. I don't reach for anything harder unroll I. Getting into rifle or super magnum handgun like 327 fed mag, etc.

[dale2242]

I have plenty of lead, solder, WW, lino, etc.

[USSR]

I have plenty of lead, solder, WW, lino, etc.

Ditto.

Don