Junk lead?

BigWaylon

BigWaylon

Head philatelist
Staff member
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
2A Bourbon Hound OG
Charter Life Member
Benefactor
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
Joined
Dec 18, 2016
Messages
64,512
Location
Charlotte
Rating - 100%
71   0   0
Is there such thing as lead that’s not usable for casting bullets?

I’m looking for the best way to get a piece about 10”x6”x1” that simply used for weight, so purity (or whatever the issue is) doesn’t matter.

Didn’t know if anybody had a bucket full of crap lead that could cast me a rectangle.
 
BigWaylon said:
Is there such thing as lead that’s not usable for casting bullets?

I’m looking for the best way to get a piece about 10”x6”x1” that simply used for weight, so purity (or whatever the issue is) doesn’t matter.

Didn’t know if anybody had a bucket full of crap lead that could cast me a rectangle.
Click to expand...
Is the size or weight more important? I might have some lead plates in the shed that are about that size.
 
Last edited:
Size. It’s for a Caldwell Lead Sled Solo. It will hold up to 25 pounds. The online calculator I found said a 10x6x1 (roughly the max size that would work) block was 24 and change.

Needs to fit in the tray:

77A534E0-FCFD-4B1B-9F1B-2F3F4E1A13BD.jpeg

I’d like to try at least 10 pounds…but anywhere 10-25 works for me. Even if it was something like two 8-pounders (or anything else that fit).
 
Last edited:
They recommend a bag of shot, but that seems like it would be too bulky. It’s a tight fit with a mag in place.
 
Can always check some local garages/tire joints. All the take off lead wheel weights get chucked in a bucket.
 
A loose bag that you can smoosh out of the way would work. Or some ingots that you can lay down like pavers
 
Last edited:
I'd go with the bag of shot. Lead blocks are hard to grip and pick up and are likely not going to conform to that pocket in the sled as neatly.

If you DO go with a block, have someone cast a handle into the top of it.
 
Last edited:
I have a block that I poured into my Caldwell lead sled solo. It weighs 20 pounds and if you're interested let me know. The 2 divots are where the bolt heads are. Let's say 25 bucks or so? I have no idea what shipping would cost but we can maybe get it on the CFF train.
You could drill it and bolt a handle on it but I just dump my sled over and let it fall out.

20230107_132800.jpg
 
Last edited:
ImYourHuckleberry said:
I have a block that I poured into my Caldwell lead sled solo. It weighs 20 pounds and if your interested let me know. The 2 divots are where the bolt heads are. Let's say 25 bucks or so? I have no idea what shipping would cost but we can maybe get it on the CFF train.
You could drill it and bolt a handle on it but I just dump my sled over and let it fall out.

View attachment 568863
Click to expand...
I think the flat rate weight limit is 70lbs.

I have exercised that limit and the people at the Denver, NC Post Office hate my guts.
 
"John, there's a box in the mailbox I can't even move, that you'll have to get out....what the heck did you order this time ??"
 
Last edited:
Could maybe line it with AL foil then pour in some lead. It’d be a few weeks til I’m both healthy and available, but I have everything to make that happen.

There are lots of zinc wheel weights out there, and it’s easy enough to cast if you want to scrounge around. Also very old telephone line sheathing or scrap yards are options.
 
JimB said:
There are lots of zinc wheel weights out there, and it’s easy enough to cast if you want to scrounge around. Also very old telephone line sheathing or scrap yards are options.
Click to expand...
Do tire shops give away the used weights?
 
Used to be someone in the area that sold nuclear medicine vial lead, that was really good stuff.
 
My opinion is just that, but I wouldn't use crap lead; that way if you ever want or need to cast some boolits you could. Or recoup your cost by selling it to someone who would.
YMMV
 
Oneofsix said:
My opinion is just that, but I wouldn't use crap lead; that way if you ever want or need to cast some boolits you could. Or recoup your cost by selling it to someone who would.
YMMV
Click to expand...
I agree and what I have offered is good usable casting lead. 👍
 
My brother found a guy a couple yrs ago that was selling a keel weight out of a sailboat. I think he only paid a couple hundred bucks for it. It ended up being a 2k pound lead chunk. Cut it up on a tarp with a chainsaw. Had al least 200lbs of sawdust. It has all been melted to manageable ingots of various weights. I believe he's set for a while 😂
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom