Cast lead bullets/Linotype?

[Keeperfaith]

What is a Linotype compared to non Linotype?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Linotype is a very hard lead that used to be used in printing presses. I think it comes in ~22 BHN or a little harder. In some cases it's too hard because bullets made with pure Linotype can be brittle and come apart if they hit bone. Half Linotype with half wheel weights makes a very good hard cast alloy.

 

[Keeperfaith]

Thanks for the info.

Here's another question, I'm "watching" an auction for a large amount of regular cast lead bullets for a good price. But my Lyman's 49th Manual states in the load data that the bullet types they use are Linotype.

Can I use regular cast bullets with this data or not?

Please advise.

Thanks
Steve

 

[Walkalong]

Linotype is just one more "alloy" of lead, tin, & antimony. It happens to be high in antimony for hardness. It is called linotype because it was used in the newspaper business for "typing" the paper. It was laid out and the paper was screened across it transferring the letters to the paper.

You can cast bullets with it. It will be too hard for some applications, and as ArchAngelCD posted, it is also somewhat brittle due to the high antimony and isn't the best for hunting bullets. It is outstanding for mixing with pure lead or softer (Less antimony and/or tin alloys) to harden those mixtures.

Can I use regular cast bullets with this data or not?

Yes.

 

[243winxb]

Bullet Alloys

Most "hard cast" bullets have 6% antimony & 2% tin. Factory swaged bullets for magnums in factory ammo will use the same alloy.

 

[jcwit]

Wonder what the alloy make up is for range lead?

I know, impossible to tell, but it sure would be nice to be able to come up with the analysis.

 

[jjjitters]

Best guess is 99%lead,.5%tin,.5%antimony, Mont of the cores are pretty soft. It may go up to 1% each for tin and antimony but that would be pushing it. That is for jacketed core and plated, but with any cast bullets thrown in the mix, the %'s go up. My range lead that I pick from the berms get seperated, old cast bullets in one pile, jackets & plated in the other.

 

[USSR]

jcwit,

Got some .40 cal. pistol bullets from an major American manufacturer of ammo that were destined to be plated (so are undersized) but weren't. They said they are 98/2 Pb/Sb. Unlikely to be much of any tin in them at the price of tin.

Don

 

[dragon813gt]

Every time I melt a pot of range lead it acts like pure lead. The melt ends up with a lot of colors in it. Most notably purple. I leave any cast bullets I find in the melt. Since I'm alloying it with other types of lead it doesn't hurt will harden up the jacketed lead.


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[jcwit]

I realize range lead is a real who know what! I usually melt 2 ingots of range lead to 1 ingot of wheel weights. Use this for everything from 32 ACP to 45 ACP in pistol and #0 cal. carbine and 30-30. Have no problem with leading using my own concoction of lube.

I normally load light to mid. with handguns because of arthritis in my hands. Rifle loads normally in the higher ranges 1,800 to 2,200 fps.

 

[evan price]

My range lead has a good percent of cast in it and consistently checks between 8BHN and 10BHN and water quenches to 12 BHN which is perfect for pistols imho.