Author Topic: For Cowboy casters: Pb vs. clips in Wheelweights (Read 461 times)

Cheyenne Ranger · « **on:** August 17, 2003, 09:45:40 AM »

Been doing some very unscientific research as I cast my 200 and 250 gr 45 bullets.
When I run my Lee 20 lb pot pretty much dry I will refill with Wheelweights (WW). I come away with a full pot of Pb (lead) and about 3 lb of clips. The clips just about fill a 2 lb metal coffee can. These are just random sizes of WW I get from tire places.
Have done this for about 7 years and always seems to be in the ballpark.

Cheyenne

Cactus Cris · « **Reply #1 on:** August 18, 2003, 02:36:41 PM »

Got a tip fer ya -- tie all the weights together thru the hole in the clips with some copper wire b4 putting them into the pot. When they are all melted- pull the wire and all the clips will come out. Cut the wire on the end and tie it back into more clips for the next batch. :eek: :wink:

Cheyenne Ranger · « **Reply #2 on:** August 19, 2003, 01:21:53 PM »

Now that sounds like a PLAN. Will give it a try on my next casting adventure. Going CASing this week-end so will be a number of days off.
Cheyenne

Rifled Slug · « **Reply #3 on:** August 20, 2003, 02:21:24 AM »

When I start a batch be it wheel weights or other lead I melt it in a big pot on a turkey cooker burner and get all the dirt and or clips and slag skimmed off . Then pour the clean lead into ingots . That way the bottom pour pot don't get all the crud in it . Its may not be the best way for you but it is the way I do it . :wink:

howdy doody · « **Reply #4 on:** August 20, 2003, 02:01:16 PM »

Cactus Cris, what a great idea. I like associating with thinking men, even if I can't, it rubs off :lol:

I got an advertisement from Mid South today and they have a Lee hardness tester on sale at $32.95. Is it any good or is it a new item?

Cactus Cris · « **Reply #5 on:** August 20, 2003, 03:23:28 PM »

Howdy-Howdy Have not seen one as yet. Might be a good thing. I don't ck mine too often. If they drop out of the mold, size good, and shoot where I aim-- they are good to go. :-D

howdy doody · « **Reply #6 on:** August 20, 2003, 06:39:05 PM »

I might splurge and get one, I have had some luck with Lee products. Thanks pard. :grin:

Pigeonroost Slim · « **Reply #7 on:** August 21, 2003, 05:55:41 AM »

Hey Ho Cheyenne Ranger!

May I suggest that you would get a more harmonious result if ya smelted your scrap in a seperate pot and in larger batches. That way your casting pot would be used with nice clean alloy of pretty much uniform content. Your boolits will likely be better and your pot will likely work better (bottom pour). Your lungs will appreciate teh relief too. I also use the second hand turkey cooker with propane burner. I work in 100# of finished alloy batches. This is done out of doors on rather cool and breezy days. I typically do about 3 or 4 batches in a session and it does not take very long as the turkey cooker really kicks out the heat. Gives ya the chance to really heat the alloy to an even temp and throughly flux to conserve the valuable tin. My muffin pan ingots are clean and consistently alloyed with my little extra 1% shot of tin (probably not needed). When I cast in my outbuilding with these ingots, I have none of the smoke and stink ya get with the raw tire shop scrap, but still keep teh fan running.

prs