jonn5335
Member
I just got into reloading a few months ago and am thinking of bullet casting I cast my own fishing weights but my question is can I still use tire weights or do I have to buy a lead alloy of some sort
bullet casting
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Buck Snort
Member
Don't we have a forum for reloading and casting?
Go to www.castboolits.gunloads.com
There are SEVENTEEN THOUSAND folks over there who will be glad to assist you in any way possible...and, welcome!
There are SEVENTEEN THOUSAND folks over there who will be glad to assist you in any way possible...and, welcome!
BullRunBear
Member
jonn,
First, welcome to the forum. The is a great place to get firearms info.
Second, we have a reloading section here that is intended to deal with questions like yours. No big deal, we all have to learn.
Third, the link for castboolits is a good idea. Those folks over there know things.
Fourth, a general answer to your question is yes, wheel weights can be used to cast bullets BUT with a bunch of caveats dealing with the intended use of the bullets, type of wheel weights, type of mold, heating/cooling control, etc, etc.
Jeff
First, welcome to the forum. The is a great place to get firearms info.
Second, we have a reloading section here that is intended to deal with questions like yours. No big deal, we all have to learn.
Third, the link for castboolits is a good idea. Those folks over there know things.
Fourth, a general answer to your question is yes, wheel weights can be used to cast bullets BUT with a bunch of caveats dealing with the intended use of the bullets, type of wheel weights, type of mold, heating/cooling control, etc, etc.
Jeff
mcdonl
Member
I would venture a guess that most cast bullets are made with W/W's.... some of us add other alloys but still mostly W/W's...
Great hobby... What do you have for sinker molds?
Great hobby... What do you have for sinker molds?
USSR
Member
jonn5335,
Wheel weights are probably the most commonly used lead for bullet casting. However, lead wheel weights are rapidly becoming a thing of the past, as all the new ones are made of zinc or iron.
Don
Wheel weights are probably the most commonly used lead for bullet casting. However, lead wheel weights are rapidly becoming a thing of the past, as all the new ones are made of zinc or iron.
Don
jonn5335
Member
8 & 10 oz. pyramids, 1-2-3-4-5-6 oz. cannon balls,1/8-1/16 jig molds
mcdonl
Member
Hey, I would love to email you about molds for my other passion... PM me your email address if you don't mind sharing some info...
RustyFN
Member
WW's make great bullets.
kk0g
Member
Simple quick answer: yes
35 Whelen
Member
I'm afraid I have an obsession with bullet casting. (Do they have a 12 Step Program for people like me?
) I've been doing it for several years and use cast bullets for everything except elk and deer over 100 yds. I've sunk (risen?) to the point that I even make my own bullet lube and gas checks.To answer your question, wheelweights (WW's) will do 99% of what you need from cast bullets. Air-cooled they're sufficiently hard for upwards of 1800 fps for limited shooting, 1400-1500 fps for extended shooting sessions. If you need a little harder bullets for higher velocity, you can water-quench the bullets as they come out of the mould or you can add a 2% or so of tin to harden the alloy.
Like another poster said the Cast Boolit website will have an answer to any imaginable question about cast bullets.
35W
JimKirk
Member
One word of caution about wheel weights ... ZINC....
It will screw up a whole lot of good lead ...if you don't keep it out of your mix.
Jimmy K
It will screw up a whole lot of good lead ...if you don't keep it out of your mix.
Jimmy K
35 Whelen
Member
Zinc in wheelweights is something that should be considered, but it's really quite easy to keep it out of your lead pot.
I melt, clean and flux WW's in large batches in a cast iron pot on a turkey fryer. Since zinc melts at 787°, I keep the melt at about 725° which will keep any zinc in solid form and it can be scooped right out. But it's rare I ever get a zinc WW in the pot because I usually spot them as I'm loading the pot.
35W
I'm afraid I have an obsession with bullet casting. (Do they have a 12 Step Program for people like me?) I've been doing it for several years and use cast bullets for everything except elk and deer over 100 yds. I've sunk (risen?) to the point that I even make my own bullet lube and gas checks.
Me TOO!!! love it!!
I'm afraid I have an obsession with bullet casting. (Do they have a 12 Step Program for people like me?) I've been doing it for several years and use cast bullets for everything except elk and deer over 100 yds. I've sunk (risen?) to the point that I even make my own bullet lube and gas checks.
And when i dig 'em out the bullet stop, they're so hard they're not deformed and I remelt and resuse 'em
Me TOO!!! love it!!
I'm afraid I have an obsession with bullet casting. (Do they have a 12 Step Program for people like me?) I've been doing it for several years and use cast bullets for everything except elk and deer over 100 yds. I've sunk (risen?) to the point that I even make my own bullet lube and gas checks.
And when i dig 'em out the bullet stop, they're so hard they're not deformed and I remelt and resuse 'em
GP100man
Member
Basic tools needed :
Bula
Member
Clip on wheel weights sweetened with 1-2% tin-great for 99% of my shooting. If your talking pure lead-stick on weights, i'd keep that to blackpowder or 700-800 fps pistol velocities.
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