rustybayonet - From one rascal to another -- Current lead wheel weights have 2.5% tin, 7.5% antimony and 90% lead. Using the RotoMetals formula, BHN = 8.6 + 1 + 6.8 = 16. Your range scrap is BHN 11. Notice something very interesting - if you wanted BHN 15 alloy, no mixing should be done - just use the WWs straight up. If you wanted target or standard velocity shooting with BHN 12 alloy, no mixing is necessary - just use the range scrap straight up...Also interesting, if you want to shoot magnum revolver with BHN 18 - you could mix till the cows come home and never get there with either alloy. You will need some linotype, SuperHard, or Foundry from RotoMetals to get harder. And we shooters always want to get harder... Best to ya, FC
Psyko Klown - (Sigh..!) I really miss having wheel weights also. I used to get them for free from big tire shops. They can still be purchased on-line, but if I'm going to do that, I'd just buy Lyman #2 alloy or Hardball alloy from RotoMetals (especially on sale) because free shipping for $99 orders plus a free hat or T-shirt. I didn't mention it, but my last order, they also threw in a bottle opener for my keychain. However, base cast alloy of free range scrap is very nice. Best Regards to ya, FC
FortuneCookie45LC I have to tell someone, Sensei! My 99 suburban broke down, ask the owner of the shop about wheel weights. Picked up 15 gallons of wheel weights!!! Although I am finding different hardness in them. I use a pair of side cutters on the questionable ones, And can tell. I know your trapped behind enemy lines, but would you think all the soft ones are usable? I have found many different types. Lead, zinc, plastic coated steel.
In the early 80's, about 35 years ago, my grandpa taught me to load 45 acp for his "45", which was a 1941 1911. Well, I got that lesson. Since then I have you to guide me through the reloading universe. It"s been an amazing journey. Since then, you've taught me more than anyone else. Thank you Fortune Cookie, I really appreciate what you do.
I rely like the content of Marcus's channel, Veiderlader TV is a step forward in Germany, Europe and Scandinavia to bring out the positive aspects of firearm ownership and bring out the falsehood of preconceived ideas of how horrible firearms ownership is. Without being political he and his channel are doing a brave thing over there by planting a seed that maybe will someday bring about change in those country's freedoms. That was a little off subject Cookie,, as for your presentation.. excellent content! Dave.
I'd suppose it wouldn't hurt to say that getting a hardness tester isn't the worst investment at some point, especially for those with terrible problems with the kinds of scraps they are getting, or eBay wonder alloys, where testing your initial scrap ingots would probably help your first step in figuring out where to go. Bad guesstimates of the initial material can throw off your otherwise brilliant calculations. Also, good to keep in mind that even if different alloys come out to the same hardness, their properties can be different in other ways, so its worth keeping notes and learning from what specific alloys do what and why. In addition to my extremely cheap nature, this is the other reason I shoot so many light target loads. On the combat side of things, I myself am a proponent of shooting what you carry, which in my case would be full power .357 magnum rounds. But, the temptation to only use 2.8 grains of Bullseye and the low cost eventually gets the better of me too often, as well as the fact that I don't have to sweat my alloy at all. When I sit down with my molds for these target loads, I can use whatever soft lead and questionable but safe ingots I've got without a care. Don't know if I' no the right path with this, or its my penny pinching and laziness getting the best of me. Good work as always Mr. Fortunecookie
Get a BHN tester and test your bulk raw unknown alloy component then calculate based on that for adding in your known alloy components... should be pretty accurate.
Hey FortuneCookie45LC! Love your channel! I was just looking over this video and the Lead Alloy Calculators available online. I found that out of all the calculators i reviewed the calculations used for mixing or making your own alloy used the RotoMetals formula (8.6 BHN) for pure lead. Which is surprising given that on the listed BHN for Pure Lead is displayed as only 5 BHN. (If you are curious to see if your version of the lead calculator uses the same formula, click on the box just below the (Est. Hardness) this is where the calculation is.) ex: =8.6+(0.29*B47*100)+(0.92*C47*100) Will be displayed up on the formula bar VS RotoMetals Formula (Brinell = 8.60 (Antimonial Lead) + ( 0.29 * Tin ) + ( 0.92 * Antimony )) Keep the information coming to all of us up and coming bullet casters. Watching you and Elvis ammo got me into casting my own bullets.
Sorry if this has been asked and explained, new guy trying to start out with this as a hobby. How do you know range scrap is 11 BHN? If I shoot factory ammo and you shoot your cast bullets then we go pick that up and melt it, won't it change the hardness?
Hey ther FC45, I'm using the bumpo628 spreadsheet to calculate my BHN and it works great. How much Tin should we shoot for to get good pours? I'm new to casting, your videos have been immensely helpful. Thanks, and keep 'em coming. I have really appreciated your tutelage!
Love & watch your videos a lot. Have a important question for you. Why are you using "weight" as the unit of measurement for creating your alloys instead of "volume"? Lead, tin and antimony each weigh differently per cubic inch, no?
Hey brother cookie I'm doing some math to see about the savings of casting so if a box of hard lazer cut bullets cost 60$ for 500 we make them softer for nothing if we get the wheel weights or range scrap for free and if we want to make that scrap harder it would cost us around 15-20$ in rotometal to get our desired bhn so that's not so bad but if we can't get free lead all the time and we have buy weights on eBay or whatever lead we can find cheap now our cost has gone up and then to use rotometals strait up would be no cost savings at all so I'm thinking for the work part of we are just better off casting what we get for free or cheap and powder coat
Well, when it comes to pure lead being said to be 8.3, what do you call the lead that tests at 5??? I have both in my inventory of lead. Unless there is a formula for decreasing the BHN of pure lead ???? I will go with 5 being pure and it's softer than the 8.3 for sure . ??? Food for thought. IMHO
To make lyman #2, 10 lbs would be 9 pounds of pure lead, 1/2 a pound of tin and 1/2 a pound of super hard? It says 90/5/5 ratio, is the super hard to much antimony for this or good to go?
You could've gone to page 8 on the website for the updated calculator. You grabbed the first version on page 1 that was already 6yrs old when you made this video.
So basically, if I have range scrap ingots advertised at Bhn 8 to 11 and I want to cast round balls for target shooting (.54 cal - 55-65 gr 777 FF) I could just skim off the slag and cast away (no flux)?
All-round Deerhunter - Yes, that alloy is fine for target and standard vel shooting. If your alloy is clean enough after slag skim off, yes, you can. But most would prefer to flux at least once...sawdust works very well for that...or you can use candle wax, of course. Good castin' to ya, FC
Bumps newest spreadsheet is a bit more extensive. The BHN in the hardness calculation is 8.6 even though pure lead is listed as 5. castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=45784&d=1341560870
Robert McClure - Thanks for the update, Robert...Now that I have Foundry Lead from RotoMetals, I'm looking forward to using the LAC from CastBoolits to plug in for mixing ratios...Who knows? - for the first time in 40 years I might be mixing more than two components... Best to ya, FC
Jake A - the video has a lowdown on hardness of pure lead being 5 or 8.6. Those that insist that pure lead is BHN 5 seem to have problems recognizing the utility of the RotoMetals formula. Those that use the RotoMetals formula don't have any problems with whatever pure lead may be. Perhaps if RotoMetals called the 8.6 a conversion constant instead of referencing that as the BHN of pure lead - all parties would become satisfied. Interesting - RM does not currently identify the 8.6 as the BHN of pure lead (they did in the past though - no doubt, all the flap caused that to change). The current formula has no explanation of what the 8.6 is - I didn't notice that until now...But as you have seen in the video, BHN of pure lead as 5 actually causes problems when you look at what the BHN is in common chilled shot and antimonial lead as listed in the Lead Alloy Calculator. All three methods of calculating the mixes works splendidly.... Best to ya, FC
How can we be sure our range scrap is 11 bhn sure we can test it but these calculations are based on as if the scrap you get is always 11 so should I test every lot of range scrap I processed to be sure
peteralexben he was saying the range scrape is 11 bhn my question was should I test each batch to be sure meaning I already have one I was just questioning the statement that range scrap is what it is and should I trust that number
jayboney el toro. make a bullet and test it if you want too be sure.but i. melt a lott of wheeleeight in advance and then i have a big lott of the same lead and if i wisch it softer or harder mix a few pound pure lead of linotype in
peteralexben I have a tone of wheel weight ingots I made and a tone of range scrap ingots and I hardly ever test the hardness because I trust what others say like wheel weights are around 14-15 bhn and range is 11 bhn I guess I should test a bunch from each to see if I need to adjust I have had no issues in the past but I'm interested in casting some 223-300 and keep them under 2300 fps but what would be an ideal bhn and I will be powder coating
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what about poor folks that have wheel weights and range scrap
A lot of us can't get wheel weights.
rustybayonet - From one rascal to another -- Current lead wheel weights have 2.5% tin, 7.5% antimony and 90% lead. Using the RotoMetals formula, BHN = 8.6 + 1 + 6.8 = 16. Your range scrap is BHN 11. Notice something very interesting - if you wanted BHN 15 alloy, no mixing should be done - just use the WWs straight up. If you wanted target or standard velocity shooting with BHN 12 alloy, no mixing is necessary - just use the range scrap straight up...Also interesting, if you want to shoot magnum revolver with BHN 18 - you could mix till the cows come home and never get there with either alloy. You will need some linotype, SuperHard, or Foundry from RotoMetals to get harder. And we shooters always want to get harder... Best to ya, FC
Psyko Klown - (Sigh..!) I really miss having wheel weights also. I used to get them for free from big tire shops. They can still be purchased on-line, but if I'm going to do that, I'd just buy Lyman #2 alloy or Hardball alloy from RotoMetals (especially on sale) because free shipping for $99 orders plus a free hat or T-shirt. I didn't mention it, but my last order, they also threw in a bottle opener for my keychain. However, base cast alloy of free range scrap is very nice. Best Regards to ya, FC
I do collect range scrap, but the majority of it tends to be slugs. If good alloys can be formulated, the next big thing may just be zinc bullets.
FortuneCookie45LC I have to tell someone, Sensei! My 99 suburban broke down, ask the owner of the shop about wheel weights. Picked up 15 gallons of wheel weights!!!
Although I am finding different hardness in them. I use a pair of side cutters on the questionable ones, And can tell. I know your trapped behind enemy lines, but would you think all the soft ones are usable? I have found many different types. Lead, zinc, plastic coated steel.
In the early 80's, about 35 years ago, my grandpa taught me to load 45 acp for his "45", which was a 1941 1911. Well, I got that lesson. Since then I have you to guide me through the reloading universe. It"s been an amazing journey. Since then, you've taught me more than anyone else. Thank you Fortune Cookie, I really appreciate what you do.
Seriously awesome video, you are a national treasure FC!
I rely like the content of Marcus's channel, Veiderlader TV is a step forward in Germany, Europe and Scandinavia to bring out the positive aspects of firearm ownership and bring out the falsehood of preconceived ideas of how horrible firearms ownership is. Without being political he and his channel are doing a brave thing over there by planting a seed that maybe will someday bring about change in those country's freedoms. That was a little off subject Cookie,, as for your presentation.. excellent content! Dave.
I'd suppose it wouldn't hurt to say that getting a hardness tester isn't the worst investment at some point, especially for those with terrible problems with the kinds of scraps they are getting, or eBay wonder alloys, where testing your initial scrap ingots would probably help your first step in figuring out where to go. Bad guesstimates of the initial material can throw off your otherwise brilliant calculations. Also, good to keep in mind that even if different alloys come out to the same hardness, their properties can be different in other ways, so its worth keeping notes and learning from what specific alloys do what and why.
In addition to my extremely cheap nature, this is the other reason I shoot so many light target loads. On the combat side of things, I myself am a proponent of shooting what you carry, which in my case would be full power .357 magnum rounds. But, the temptation to only use 2.8 grains of Bullseye and the low cost eventually gets the better of me too often, as well as the fact that I don't have to sweat my alloy at all. When I sit down with my molds for these target loads, I can use whatever soft lead and questionable but safe ingots I've got without a care. Don't know if I' no the right path with this, or its my penny pinching and laziness getting the best of me. Good work as always Mr. Fortunecookie
Excellent. Thanks.
Get a BHN tester and test your bulk raw unknown alloy component then calculate based on that for adding in your known alloy components... should be pretty accurate.
Great info, I had no clue.
Hey FortuneCookie45LC! Love your channel!
I was just looking over this video and the Lead Alloy Calculators available online. I found that out of all the calculators i reviewed the calculations used for mixing or making your own alloy used the RotoMetals formula (8.6 BHN) for pure lead. Which is surprising given that on the listed BHN for Pure Lead is displayed as only 5 BHN.
(If you are curious to see if your version of the lead calculator uses the same formula, click on the box just below the (Est. Hardness) this is where the calculation is.)
ex: =8.6+(0.29*B47*100)+(0.92*C47*100) Will be displayed up on the formula bar
VS
RotoMetals Formula (Brinell = 8.60 (Antimonial Lead) + ( 0.29 * Tin ) + ( 0.92 * Antimony ))
Keep the information coming to all of us up and coming bullet casters. Watching you and Elvis ammo got me into casting my own bullets.
It also lists Rotometals Linotype as BHN 19 when Roto says 22.
Sorry if this has been asked and explained, new guy trying to start out with this as a hobby. How do you know range scrap is 11 BHN? If I shoot factory ammo and you shoot your cast bullets then we go pick that up and melt it, won't it change the hardness?
Hey ther FC45, I'm using the bumpo628 spreadsheet to calculate my BHN and it works great. How much Tin should we shoot for to get good pours? I'm new to casting, your videos have been immensely helpful. Thanks, and keep 'em coming. I have really appreciated your tutelage!
Love & watch your videos a lot. Have a important question for you. Why are you using "weight" as the unit of measurement for creating your alloys instead of "volume"? Lead, tin and antimony each weigh differently per cubic inch, no?
Hey brother cookie I'm doing some math to see about the savings of casting so if a box of hard lazer cut bullets cost 60$ for 500 we make them softer for nothing if we get the wheel weights or range scrap for free and if we want to make that scrap harder it would cost us around 15-20$ in rotometal to get our desired bhn so that's not so bad but if we can't get free lead all the time and we have buy weights on eBay or whatever lead we can find cheap now our cost has gone up and then to use rotometals strait up would be no cost savings at all so I'm thinking for the work part of we are just better off casting what we get for free or cheap and powder coat
What if you have pure lead, Then what would be the Ratio and how much tin would you add? Thanks for all you do.
Yes Please clarify FC
What should the lead hardness be for sabot slug using in shotgun with rifled barrel?
For those of us who are not mathematically inclined he might as well be talking,,, wait for it,,,, Chinese,,😳😁
where do I find this exact version of the spreadsheet with a "Uses" column--or did you edit the spreadsheet yourself to include the "Uses" column?
Well, when it comes to pure lead being said to be 8.3, what do you call the lead that tests at 5??? I have both in my inventory of lead. Unless there is a formula for decreasing the BHN of pure lead ???? I will go with 5 being pure and it's softer than the 8.3 for sure . ??? Food for thought. IMHO
To make lyman #2, 10 lbs would be 9 pounds of pure lead, 1/2 a pound of tin and 1/2 a pound of super hard? It says 90/5/5 ratio, is the super hard to much antimony for this or good to go?
You could've gone to page 8 on the website for the updated calculator. You grabbed the first version on page 1 that was already 6yrs old when you made this video.
I watched to learn how to get my alloys OUT of my lead for a softer cast for Black Powder muzzle loading. thought i may find a shorter cut?
New too casting. I am having some trouble finding lead. Any ideas
Soooo...What does rotometals sell that I can add to 10 pounds of pure lead to get a BHN 12? Range scrap is not an option, nor is wheel weights.
So basically, if I have range scrap ingots advertised at Bhn 8 to 11 and I want to cast round balls for target shooting (.54 cal - 55-65 gr 777 FF) I could just skim off the slag and cast away (no flux)?
All-round Deerhunter - Yes, that alloy is fine for target and standard vel shooting. If your alloy is clean enough after slag skim off, yes, you can. But most would prefer to flux at least once...sawdust works very well for that...or you can use candle wax, of course. Good castin' to ya, FC
Thank you sir for your reply; I have some of both - dust and wax :) will try both.
What about pure lead ? mix for hunting bullets, what to add for proper hardness
Bumps newest spreadsheet is a bit more extensive. The BHN in the hardness calculation is 8.6 even though pure lead is listed as 5.
castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=45784&d=1341560870
Robert McClure - Thanks for the update, Robert...Now that I have Foundry Lead from RotoMetals, I'm looking forward to using the LAC from CastBoolits to plug in for mixing ratios...Who knows? - for the first time in 40 years I might be mixing more than two components... Best to ya, FC
i thought i always heard pure lead was 5 bhn why does the formulas say 8.6
Jake A - the video has a lowdown on hardness of pure lead being 5 or 8.6. Those that insist that pure lead is BHN 5 seem to have problems recognizing the utility of the RotoMetals formula. Those that use the RotoMetals formula don't have any problems with whatever pure lead may be. Perhaps if RotoMetals called the 8.6 a conversion constant instead of referencing that as the BHN of pure lead - all parties would become satisfied. Interesting - RM does not currently identify the 8.6 as the BHN of pure lead (they did in the past though - no doubt, all the flap caused that to change). The current formula has no explanation of what the 8.6 is - I didn't notice that until now...But as you have seen in the video, BHN of pure lead as 5 actually causes problems when you look at what the BHN is in common chilled shot and antimonial lead as listed in the Lead Alloy Calculator. All three methods of calculating the mixes works splendidly.... Best to ya, FC
can you tell me for a air gun 357 bet te bullets have to be deadly ok, i schoot 350 400 bar home build air gun walter luther barrel 9 mm
Ok because im terrible at this kinda math if i was using 99.99% pure lead what and how much do i need to mix in to come up with 15 bhn lead?
How can we be sure our range scrap is 11 bhn sure we can test it but these calculations are based on as if the scrap you get is always 11 so should I test every lot of range scrap I processed to be sure
get a hardness tester from lee or redding
peteralexben he was saying the range scrape is 11 bhn my question was should I test each batch to be sure meaning I already have one I was just questioning the statement that range scrap is what it is and should I trust that number
jayboney el toro. make a bullet and test it if you want too be sure.but i. melt a lott of wheeleeight in advance and then i have a big lott of the same lead and if i wisch it softer or harder mix a few pound pure lead of linotype in
peteralexben I have a tone of wheel weight ingots I made and a tone of range scrap ingots and I hardly ever test the hardness because I trust what others say like wheel weights are around 14-15 bhn and range is 11 bhn I guess I should test a bunch from each to see if I need to adjust I have had no issues in the past but I'm interested in casting some 223-300 and keep them under 2300 fps but what would be an ideal bhn and I will be powder coating
jayboney el toro. 15 to 22 bhn. with powder coating depends om the .pressure of the load and gas leakage. along by the side off bullet
7
PAINT coated Bullet there is no need for adding Alloy Mixes,.