"x" amount of lead = "x" amount of bullets

[g4string]

I just purchased 30lbs of lead at my local hardware store. How many bullets do you estimate I might be able to get out of 30lbs..........FWIW, I will be making .54 great plains conicals. Thanks!

 

[Omnivore]

There are 7,000 grains to the pound. 7K x 30, devided by the finished bullet weight. Subtract a little for loss in the melting and skimming process.

All you really need to know then is the bullet weight. The .495 round balls I use weigh about 180 grains, for example. 7000/180 makes about 38 balls to the pound. Say 35.

 

[g4string]

Ok...........per Lyman the .54 GP bullet weighs 450 grains. This gives me about 15 bullets per pound. That comes out to be about 450 bullets for the lot. I paid $60 for the lead........so that is about $.13 per bullet.........not bad!!

I will cast some bullets shortly.......I will see if it works out. I will use 5lbs a crack. That should set me up with about 75 bullets.

Thanks!!!

 

[arcticap]

I bought plumber's lead from a plumbing supply outfit in the past that had quite a bit of slag in it. I think that it's hard to estimate the bullet output simply based on weight alone. But regarding the amount of waste, maybe you'll be luckier with it than I was.