Casting?

[Stinger4me]

When using wheel weights for casting bullets, what do you add to the mixture? I am just starting into reloading and I am interested in casting for .38 special and .45 ACP and Auto Rim. Thanks for the help.

Stinger

[pistola]

You can use wheel wieghts only.Be sure to flux the alloy before casting.If you would like a softer bullet add about 10-20% pure lead.

[chingachkook]

Stinger, you may find this link to be useful.

http://www.lasc.us/IndexBrennan.htm

[MMCSRET]

I use WW, being sure there are none of the newer Zinc WW mixed in. For 38 Special and 45 I use 50/50 WW/lead and add a little scrap solder to add a little tin. It is not precise but it works for me.

[Bisley]

Hello, stinger4me. Since you said you were new at reloading & I assume bullet casting, may I make a suggestion? When you fill up your furnace with wheelweights & they are melting nicely...DO NOT attempt to add more to melt at this point! I know it is tempting, when additional space in pot becomes available as melt progresses...DONT DO IT! Those WW have road salt & moisture hidden under the clips, an explosion could result if that moisture is allowed to become trapped under molten lead. Have fun & be safe!

[smkummer]

For what its worth, do whatever you can to keep the supply of lead coming your way. That means pay the tire shop for wheel weights or bring in a box of donuts at least. I have been casting for 35 years and it is slowly getting harder and harder to find wheel weights that have not already been spoken for.

Wheel weights dropped from the mold may average about 10 on the BH hardness scale. For target loads out of both 45 and 38, this may be perfect. If you are getting more leading than you like, then drop the bullets into a water bucket out of the mold, they will hit 20 on the harness scale. The mold manufactures don't speak of this as the bucket of water has to be far away from the casting pot to prevent an accident. So saftey goggles, long sleeves and some type of gloves is a must. For what its worth, most Lyman data is with bullets having a 15 on the hardness scale.

Zink is becoming a real pain these days as California has now banned lead wheel weights. Learn to look at each weight that you put into the pot and melt wheel weights at lower temps. If something does not seem to melt easily, then throw it. Remember that pure lead actually melts at a higher temp then most alloys of lead. Go to castboolits.com to learn all about how to look for zink weights and many techniques of bullet casting.

[porsche]

+1 on going to castboolits.com for learning all about casting. I generally use a little lead free solder for its tin content when casting. about one half to one pound of it for each 20 pounds of already smelted wheel weights. I like the shiny boolits...