Duplicating WW

[Frank]

I like WW but am running short in supply. I'd like to duplicate WW with an alloy from Rotometals. Since my WW cast at a BH 11, and the Lyman manual says 94/6 lead/tin has a BH of 11, the closest I can see is Rotometals alloy of 94/6 Lead/ANTIMONY. Is this what I want? I'm also heat treating the WW bullets to 22. Would I still need to add tin if I already do for "fill-out" problems? How would the antimony affect the result?

[Ole]

If you're using lead with 6% antimony, mix it 50/50 with pure lead to get your SB% right about where it is in clip on WW's.

Add 2% tin to that, if you need it for bullet fill out.

[JFriis]

If you have some pure lead I will trade you for WW's.

[Matt_G]

Wheel weights vary in composition. On average they consist of 3 to 4% Sb and 0.5% Sn.
If you need to heat treat, antimony is essential and a trace of arsenic helps. The arsenic acts as a catalyst during heat treating. WW's have a trace of arsenic in them which is one of the reasons they heat treat so well.

Like Ole said, if you buy that antimonial lead from Rotometals, mix it 50-50 with pure lead, assuming you have any.

Here's a web page that has a lot of good info on cast bullet alloys. You might find it interesting.
http://www.lasc.us/CastBulletAlloy.htm

Wow, Rotometals gets a pretty penny for that stuff don't they?
Where are you located? Did your wheel weight source dry up or start recycling?
Just curious.

[jdgabbard]

Or you can mix 3:1 pure lead and Lino. It comes out to just a slight harder alloy, or mix 4:1 and then add a little tin.

[Frank]

Ok, so if I'm going to make 1000 350 grain bullets, I'll need 21.5#pure lead (I don't stock any at this time) and 21.5# 94/6 lead/antimony: Rotometals has both and will deliver to my door for $87. Heck, a box of gas checks is $40, and what's that?. Now I don't have to beg at tire shops, clean the weights, smelting, etc. 1000 store bought bullets are $300. Plus, I get the benefit of making BOOLITS!

Or I might do what jdgabbard said to do. I just like to get all your input.

[Frank]

Ole
If you're using lead with 6% antimony, mix it 50/50 with pure lead to get your SB% right about where it is in clip on WW's.

Add 2% tin to that, if you need it for bullet fill out.

Ole's mix is the cheaper of the two. I'll try that one out. Thanks all.

[Ugly Dwarf]

Not sure where you live, but try calling a couple scrap yards to see if they have WW. You should be able to buy them for less than $.50/lb (if they have them).

[Frank]

So do they bring them out to you, or you bring your own bucket and shovel, crate, etc and go "fetch it" yourself? I need a "real" picture of how you do it so I can prepare.

[jdgabbard]

From what I understand, most of the ones that will turn around and sell to the public require you to go out and get the stuff. Could be wrong tho, as I can't find one around my neck of the woods.

[Frank]

Good day today. Scrapyards, recyclers, metal scrap, etc. - Forget it. They don't have it, won't have anything to do with you. Open a phone book and start from A - Z and you will learn. I did, today.

Today I made two visits to two places and got 2 full buckets of wheelweights for $20 total. One even had some reloading equipment. It was just junk and a bunch of 357 and 38 shells, 30-06 shells and 30-30, and old Lyman turret press and just lots of cartridge boxes and 38 shells. I bought it for $10. So I don't need Rotometals or anybody. I get what I need on my own.

[JIMinPHX]

If you don't want to be bothered with scrounging, just buy some lead shot & add a little solder to it. Going rate for a 25 pound bag these days is $30-$35. At $30/bag, it's $1.20/lb. At $35/bag, it's $1.40/lb. That's a whole lot better than Rotometal's prices.

[Frank]

Actually I found out that I like getting my own now. Nobody likes to have to go "begging". But's it's not that bad. It's a great way to "see the world", get away from that desk if you are a beancounter.