Author Topic: Roofing Lead (Read 970 times)

Possum · « **on:** January 04, 2005, 02:13:17 PM »

I picked up 56lbs. of roofing lead at the local recyling center. It was in sheets and rolled up like a newspaper. Had a lot of dirt in it, but it skimmed off quickly. Just wondering what is in the roofing lead? Seemed really soft so I am thinking it is close to pure lead.

I also have a pretty good amount of linotype. How should I mix it? I am shooting a 44 and this is my first casting attempt. I have the ingots in 2lb blocks so mixing percentages should not be a problem. A lyman reloading book I have said 1 part linotype to three parts lead.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2005, 11:29:43 PM »

the stuff i had was close to pure. I mix it 5050 with lynotype and it makes a good alloy for mag pistols. If your shooting low velocity .38s or something simular your mix would be great.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2005, 06:16:19 AM »

I agree with Lloyd, as usual. That 3-1 mix looks about perfect for pistol bullets in the 800-1200 fps range. Oughta also do good for plain based rifle loads.

My guess is that it would work in full house .44 Mags with a gas checked bullet. I'm pretty sure it won't with plain base.

Lead pot · « **Reply #3 on:** January 15, 2005, 05:47:11 PM »

Possum
That lead flashing is just about pure, but lead flashing also has a high amount of arsenic so be carefull were you melt it down.

Lyman #2 alloy is a good mix for cast pistol bullets.

90 parts lead-5 parts tin- 5 parts antimony. makes #2

5 1/2 lbs wheelweights--1 lb. 50/50 solder--3 1/2 lbs lead makes #2

4 lbs line-O-type-- 1 lb 50/50 solder--5 lbs lead makes #2

Kurt

buck1 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2005, 04:06:48 PM »

Quote from: Lead pot

Possum
That lead flashing is just about pure, but lead flashing also has a high amount of arsenic so be carefull were you melt it down.

Lyman #2 alloy is a good mix for cast pistol bullets.

90 parts lead-5 parts tin- 5 parts antimony. makes #2

5 1/2 lbs wheelweights--1 lb. 50/50 solder--3 1/2 lbs lead makes #2

4 lbs line-O-type-- 1 lb 50/50 solder--5 lbs lead makes #2

Kurt

Thats good to know for heat treating. ....buck

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2005, 04:14:22 PM »

Possum,

That soft roofing lead is perfect for muzzleloader and shotgun slugs. You can go ahead and mix it with linotype or other alloy to harden it, but it may have more value to someone who shoots muzzleloaders. You might be able to swap it off to a muzzleloader shooter for some harder alloy.

It's easy to harden up an alloy, but real difficult to soften it without adding pure lead like the roofing sheathing.

Steelbanger · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2005, 12:45:25 AM »

Possum,

I posted this elsewhere on the GB forum but am showing it here too for your enlightenment.

I found the following, from an old "Lyman Bullet Making Guide". They list the composition and hardness (BHN) of useful Bullet Alloys.

Alloy-----------%Lead----%Tin-----%Antimony----BHN
Monotype..........72............9...............19............28
Stereotype........80............6...............14............23
Linotype............84............4...............12............22
Lyman No 2.......90............5.................5...........15
1to1 Lead/Lino...92............2.................6...........15
Wheelweights....95.5........ .5.................4............9
Pure lead..........100............................................5

Notice that a 50-50 mixture of linotype & lead is listed among the others. Hope this helps.

JPH45 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2005, 02:14:25 PM »

After being in contact with dirt, that lead is ruined. Send it to me and I will be sure it is dispossed of properly :grin:

Possum · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2005, 03:05:23 PM »

HO Ho HO!!! HAAAAA Whoopeee that is a REALLY good one.:eek: I did get a cup or two off the top of the mix. Seems like it is willing to shoot well. As long as it likes this home I will allow it to stay. Thanks for the offer though. :grin: