Author Topic: Lead for casting bullets (Read 420 times)

jack19512 · « **on:** October 25, 2005, 02:58:02 PM »

Those of you that cast your own bullets, where do you get your lead? I was at my local Walmart auto dept and they had buckets of the used wheel weights but they wouldn't give me any. They said they weren't allowed to because of the EPA regulations.

Tycer · « **Reply #1 on:** October 25, 2005, 03:09:36 PM »

Try different places. Some chain places have deals with battery companies or whatever. I don't buy the EPA thing. Tell them what you are doing with it. Told one guy and he said it was a Noble Cause :lol:

jack19512 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 25, 2005, 03:33:11 PM »

I asked the auto dept mgr and the mgr of the store and they both said the same thing. I will have to look elsewhere.

NE Hunter · « **Reply #3 on:** October 25, 2005, 04:27:05 PM »

Try finding an independent garage. I bought a 5 gallon pail full years ago for $ 5.00. ( lots of years ago)

ShadowMover · « **Reply #4 on:** October 25, 2005, 05:13:12 PM »

Don't show up while the boss is there, and bring a cold six pack and a bag of chips. Bring your own bucket too, and just ask for a few pounds. My experience has been they let you take the whole bucket full ;-)

Gregory · « **Reply #5 on:** October 25, 2005, 05:13:54 PM »

Quote from: jack19512

Those of you that cast your own bullets, where do you get your lead? I was at my local Walmart auto dept and they had buckets of the used wheel weights but they wouldn't give me any. They said they weren't allowed to because of the EPA regulations.

Make up some business cards that you are a hazardous waste recycler and tell Walmart you'll take the wheel weights off their hands if they pay you $20/lb. That will keep corporate happy!!

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #6 on:** October 25, 2005, 11:08:52 PM »

I get mine from tire centers like S&S. I've never had to pay for them. I hope I never do. I did have one guy at Goodyear ask how much I would give him for them, so I passed and went on to a different tire place and got them free. Apparently the Goodyear guy had a caster already and was trying to see who would pay more. The other guy won. :-D

Ian

Questor · « **Reply #7 on:** October 26, 2005, 04:04:53 AM »

I went through the same drill and it was just a matter of finding a place that will give them to you or sell them at a reasonable price. If you're not casting in large volumes, you can use magnum shot. The real expense in casting is getting the tin you might need. Pure wheelweights work fine for a lot of applications, though, and no added tin is needed.

jack19512 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 27, 2005, 12:26:50 PM »

Well I lucked out today. I stopped by a tire store and they gave me two buckets of wheel weights. Each bucket took two men to load into my trunk. Now I will have to research what equipment I will need. :grin:

Steve P · « **Reply #9 on:** October 27, 2005, 04:00:05 PM »

You need to learn how to ask: Hi, My name is Bob, I am preparing some items to take some kids hunting and fishing. I was wondering if you had some used wheel weights that I could have to melt down?

Don't lie. Offer to bring by some cast bullets, or some fishing weights. Once they see what you are making, you will likely have a life time supply. Then take your kids out shooting and fishing.

You would be suprised how fast Wal-Mart and some of the other places will donate if you are using the items to take your kids or grandkids into the outdoors.

Buy a few fishing weight molds also. They are fun to cast (in a couple of ways!).

Steve