ingots & why we smelt first

[kevin c]

If there is exposed lead (hollow point, FMJ with visible lead base, or damaged slug also with visible lead, the lead core will escape when it melts, though it might take a bit of shaking in a slotted spoon if the opening is small.

I’ve also used a waffle faced hammer to smash the slugs on concrete. Fast, though ya gotta watch mis hits that will skitter all over.

[BJung]

I cast ingots when in small quantities using my Lee pot other than where I live because it leaves a lot of sludge, debri, and smoke. Bulk ingots had different hardness so casting ingots allowed me to separate lead ingots by hardness. Later, I started casting ingots by source: FMJ lead scrap. .22lr scrap, pellet lead scrap. Not only was the hardness consistent but the same alloy. After testing, I use pellet lead for certain bullets. Scrap lead ingots with the highest bhn, I save for 40cal target bullets. Because the lead ingots don't smoke, I can cast the ingots at home. Without having to smelt the slag out of the lead and just melt and cast bullets, I can cast more.

[Johnnybuck]

Thanks for sharing your experience with smelting jacketed and copper washed projectiles! Cutting them in half to release the lead core makes a lot of sense, especially with the open-base ones. I'll have to try your method, sounds like it saves a lot of time and hassle.

[Charlie Horse]

Neat stacks of ingots make me feel like Rockefeller.

[BJung]

I want to add that when smelting with my Lee pot, I scrape the walls and bottom to release more sludge that has been sticking on the side of the pot. I cast my lead into a Lee ingot mold. When casting bullets, I cut up the ingots and use an even proportion of lead from different ingots to maintain a stable alloy.

[Grootjoseph]

Some good advice. Thank you.