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Thread: Lyman #2 recipes wanted

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
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    Lyman #2 recipes wanted

    I have found Lyman's #2 alloy works very well for my accuracy on the targets goals.
    I have the following lead alloys: wheelweights plus 1% tin, ( tests Saeco 7-8) wheelweights that test Saeco 4, pure lead, and linotype.
    I also have 2.5 pounds of pure tin.
    Im looking for a recipe that would utilize the Saeco 4 wheelweights and linotype if such a recipe exists.
    Actually I would appreciate any recipes for Lyman number 2 that utilizes the stuff I have.
    Thanks in advance!
    It's all chicken, even the beak!

  2. #2
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    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
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    Lyman #2 is the recipe in percentages for what it is.
    You may need to do a little math for what you've got to work with.

    The formulations are in the Lyman cast book.
    You might also be interested in the other alloys they have: Lyman #1 and #3.

    If you not needing hard stuff for higher speeds-
    I'd go on the soft side and conserve the expensive/valuable 'goodies'.
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  3. #3
    Boolit Master 243winxb's Avatar
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  4. #4
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    Larry Gibson's Avatar
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    #2 alloy contains 90% lead, 5% antimony and 5% tin.

    Given COWs only contain 2 - 3% antimony I never could figure out how 9 1/2 lbs of COWWs plus 1/2 lb of tin could make that alloy.

    I have used quite a bit of #2 alloy made with the linotype, solder and lead formula. That one makes a very good alloy that gives AC'd bullets a 22- 23 BHN after 10 - 14 days aging.
    Larry Gibson

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  5. #5
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    dale2242's Avatar
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    I use Larrys mixture.
    9 lbs COWWs + 1 lb 50/50 bar solder.
    Check this site out for alloy recipes.

    http://www.lasc.us/CastBulletAlloy.htm

  6. #6
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    JonB_in_Glencoe's Avatar
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    As Larry says, "#2 alloy contains 90% lead, 5% antimony and 5% tin"

    The thing is, you can't mix a precise percentage (like 90-5-5) from your WW alloy, mostly because you don't know precisely what it is. Even Lino can vary. Do you require a precise percentage? If not, I would just use 3 parts WW & 1 part Lino and call it good.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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  7. #7
    Boolit Master 243winxb's Avatar
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    9 pounds WW & 1 pound Bar Solder? = What BHN.

    50/50 Tin-Lead Bar Solder . WW & Bar solder- What would the BHN be? I have no idea?

    Lyman thinks BHN of 15?

    From Rotometals-
    Basic Rules for Harding Lead-
    For every 1% additional tin, Brinell hardness increases 0.3.
    For every 1% additional antimony, Brinell hardness increases 0.9.
    For a simple equation,
    Brinell = 8.60 + ( 0.29 * Tin ) + ( 0.92 * Antimony )

    Just add some Rotometals Linotype. I put 2" of the bar in a Lee 10 pound pot. No idea what the BHN is.
    Last edited by 243winxb; 09-30-2022 at 06:59 PM.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master 243winxb's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dale2242 View Post
    I use Larrys mixture.
    9 lbs COWWs + 1 lb 50/50 bar solder.
    Check this site out for alloy recipes.

    http://www.lasc.us/CastBulletAlloy.htm
    Clip-on wheel weight .5 tin , 2% antimony, 97.5 lead BHN 11 or 12

  9. #9
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    405grain's Avatar
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    Another good source for alloy information. My standard casting alloy is #8 from this list. I cut it 50/50 with pure for pistol bullets.
    http://www.lasc.us/SuperHard.htm

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master uscra112's Avatar
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    There are spreadsheets that calculate hardness according to alloy content available for download that will answer all your questions.
    Cognitive Dissident

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by uscra112 View Post
    There are spreadsheets that calculate hardness according to alloy content available for download that will answer all your questions.
    Where can I locate these spreadsheets?
    It's all chicken, even the beak!

  12. #12
    Boolit Grand Master uscra112's Avatar
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    Sent you a P/M.
    Cognitive Dissident

  13. #13
    Boolit Master hc18flyer's Avatar
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    I use 'Bumpo's' alloy calculator from this site. I have sent several alloys in to bne for testing, everyone came back ' on the money'. I have come to trust my raw materials and the calculator. hc18flyer

  14. #14
    Boolit Master bruce381's Avatar
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    yes download and save Bumpos calculator very handey using that for lyman #2 shows
    about 5% tin and 5% antimony using 5lbs wheelweights and .25 lb tin and 1.6 lbs lino

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
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    I received the lead alloy spreadsheet and put it to good use for making up Lyman #2 from the alloys I have on hand!
    Thanks to all who contributed to this thread.��
    It's all chicken, even the beak!

  16. #16
    Boolit Master bruce381's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shuz View Post
    I received the lead alloy spreadsheet and put it to good use for making up Lyman #2 from the alloys I have on hand!
    Thanks to all who contributed to this thread.��
    yeah the spread sheet it kinda cool the way you can vary all the amounts even put in a cost per bullet

  17. #17
    Boolit Master FISH4BUGS's Avatar
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    My formula for #2? 5lbs ww to 1lb lino.
    I have never leaded a barrel in 40 years.
    Collector and shooter of guns and other items that require a tax stamp, Lead and brass scrounger. Never too much brass, lead or components in inventory! Always looking to win beauty contests with my reloads.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master
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    You may not have leaded a barrel but that is not even remotely close to Lyman #2!

    1.08% 4.50% 0.21% 0.00% 0.00% 94.2% Is what you have.
    5.00% 5.00% 90.0% Is Lyman #2

  19. #19
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    gwpercle's Avatar
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    If anyone is interested in ... Simple
    A good alloy for handgun and in hunting rifle boolits is

    50-50 mix of COWW and soft scrap lead . I have never tested BHN but it might be 8 or 9 .
    it is not hard and I use it for all my cast boolits .

    For decades I had a free unlimited source of wheel weights and cast everything from COWW , but 8 years ago he retired from the tire business and my supply stopped . I had a lot of scrap lead from contractors in the building construction business . So I read here where 50-50 COWW and lead was good . I cast ingots from each and when I fill my pot put one of each in the pot along with a little linotype for tin for easier casting .

    Not complicated ... but if you aren't into advanced math , calculus and spread sheets and all that heavy duty thinking ... it works like a old New Orleans Voo-Doo woman's black magic charm .
    Gary
    Certified Cajun
    Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
    " Let's Go Brandon !"

  20. #20
    Boolit Master FISH4BUGS's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rickf1985 View Post
    You may not have leaded a barrel but that is not even remotely close to Lyman #2!

    1.08% 4.50% 0.21% 0.00% 0.00% 94.2% Is what you have.
    5.00% 5.00% 90.0% Is Lyman #2
    So it is HARDER than #2?
    Not sure what those numbers mean.
    Can you explain?
    Collector and shooter of guns and other items that require a tax stamp, Lead and brass scrounger. Never too much brass, lead or components in inventory! Always looking to win beauty contests with my reloads.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check