Vacuum packing basically pure lead balls

[Brokenbear]

Well my relatively new game is black powder Colt revolvers in .31, .36 and .44 and casting as near as possible pure lead balls ..
I could of course add a pinch of tin to deter the lead getting the white curse but I had an epiphany that if vacuum packing works for "stuff" that air quickly degrades ..how would vacuum packing work for lead balls ??
As a sidebar ..The ball ram on Colts are a very weak mechanical device that needs to swage the ball during insertion for a perfect fit in the chamber so very soft, very round lead ball very very slightly larger than the chamber mouths is a really good thing
Also is it possible that no air availability will keep the lead once cast from "relaxing" (slightly enlarging after casting?)
Has anyone done it??
Does anyone see any risk of using a basic food packager if nitrile gloves are used to load the bag not touching the outsides of the bag and then another clean pair of gloves to handle and seal the bags??

Probably a dumb idea but I had to ask!
Bear

[Stopsign32v]

I made pure lead balls probably a year or more ago and just have them in a ziploc bag. Look just as shiny as when I cast them.

[jim147]

Unless you are going to leave them in the yard or save them for a few centuries I think you might be wasting your time.

[Super Sneaky Steve]

I tumble my balls in powdered graphite.

[bruce381]

just a plan baggie with the air squized out seems fine.

[Winger Ed.]

Avoiding contact with air/Oxygen or stopping air circulation is the object of the game.

Whatever bit of air-- if any, is in the container it will give up its Oxygen to make Lead Oxide.
Once all the Oxygen is 'used up', the oxidation, also called the tarnishing process stops.

Also, once any metal tarnishes, (or rusts) it sort of makes its own barrier.
The barrier isn't real effective, but as it gets thicker and thicker, as new Lead (or any other metal) Oxide
molecules form, and the 'new' tarnish builds up slower and slower.

The same thing can happen with metal and water.
Water will give up its Oxygen sort of like the air does.

[Bigslug]

If you're talking LONG term storage, can't hurt to prevent oxidation. You could prequel that step by tumble lubing them first as kind of a belt & suspenders approach.

You could also put them out in the sun on a hot, dry day in a GI ammo can with a good seal. Close the lid when it's nice and toasty and let them cool - you'll basically be vacuum-packed at that point.

[358429]

I suppose if you powder coated them, you could save them in the yard for a couple centuries and they could still be blue.

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[William Yanda]

A coating of graphite or floor wax would prevent air contact, a less complex solution than vacuum packing to my mind.

[OldBearHair]

Maybe even Hi Tec Old Gold. Thin after three coats and no oxidation in the air or water. None on the fingers or whatever.

[Sasquatch-1]

I would just keep them they way they are. If they start oxidizing recast them.

Although the best bet is take a couple pounds of powder to the range and shoot 'em up as fast as possible. Nobody wants spoiled lead laying around.

[BJK]

I was thinking coating them would be the solution.

[fa38]

If you tumble them long enough the sprue will sort of disappear. Then put them in a plastic container and put some lee liquid alox on them

[waksupi]

If you don't want them to oxidize, mix up some dish soap and water, soak the balls and let them dry.

[45workhorse]

A less than 1 second shot of WD40 in the bag or what ever container you are storing them in. Mix it around and they are good!
My opinion and $2.00 will get you a cup of coffee someplace!

[mdi]

A coating of graphite or floor wax would prevent air contact, a less complex solution than vacuum packing to my mind.

My thoughts exactly. I have, not very often though, tumbled my cast bullets for a short time, not long enough to ding the bullets and a lot of media to a few bullets in corn cob media plus Turtle wax. Kept bullets tarnish free for a few years. The topic of nitrile gloves had been discussed many times here, but I rely on soap (dawn) and water after handling lead. Blood tests show low heavy metal content after 50 years of shooting, 40 years of reloading, and 30 years of casting bullets (plus casting sinkers since I was 14) low/safe...

If you want to vaccuum seal your cast balls, go ahead. Nobody is going to insult you for doing what you want to do with your components. It's your time, your components and your money, so enjoy it!

[rcslotcar]

Hornady "one shot"!

[Jack Stanley]

That LEE tumble lube stuff sounds about right , but dish soap sounds cheaper .... or is it WD-40??????

Anyway lots of good ideas .

Jack

[Mk42gunner]

...If you want to vaccuum seal your cast balls, go ahead. Nobody is going to insult you for doing what you want to do with your components. It's your time, your components and your money, so enjoy it!

I personally think it would be a waste of time and money; but it is your time and money, not mine.

I cast several hundred .380 balls of pure-ish lead last fall. They have sat in my unheated and uncooled wash house since. They still look shiny and new. All I did was pour them into a peanut jar and screw the lid on. Lots of air in there with the balls.

Robert

[Four-Sixty]

I've found the best coating for my balls is KY Jelly

It helps them slide into the bore with ease.