Anybody cast .30 caliber bullets?

[55fairlane]

So I have a couple hundred pounds of Kester ultra pure leaded solder, is this any good for casting 30 caliber bullets? And does anyone have a good load data for using these in an early 40's Winchester 94?

Here is chemical make up of the solder......



Thank in advance

Aaron

 

[Leadeye]

I cast and shoot 30 cal for lever guns, Winchester 1894, 1895 and calibers like 30-30 and 30-40. The solder is mostly tin, with 20% antimony. You don't need a lot of tin mixed with lead before your wasting it, works mainly to improve mold fill out. Antimony is the ticket to hardness. I would mix something like that 20-1 with wheel weight lead and 10-1 with straight lead.

200 pounds will go a long way at those ratios, you might consider selling some of it.

 

[55fairlane]

Leader,

Check you inbox.....what does this sell for?

Got any load data you wanna share?

Aaron

 

[Leadeye]

At 20% antimony and the balance as tin this should sell for in between foundry type and pure tin. Scrap metal price will give you a up to date number on both.

Your 1894 Winchester should do very well with a RNFP mold between 150 and 170 grain. Mine does.

A quick check of the internet says that tin is selling for $12 per pound.

 

[warthog]

hard to find wheel weights anymore, many place now use zinc and those they remove they sell for more money than they are worth really. Junk yards may be your best bet for what you need to cast bullets. Never cast any for a 30 cal but have for a lot of handgun calibers. It isn't hard to do and once you have gotten it down it is even easier.

 

[Leadeye]

That stuff he's got is just the ticket to turn plumbers lead into something more usefull.

 

[55fairlane]

I may have a bunch of lead type set as well......traded off a bunch of motorcycle parts today