Casting from lead fishing sinkers

[Innawoodsman]

Hello , I've got quite a good amount of fishing sinkers.

Sorry if the picture is messed up , first try.
So are they good to cast roundballs from?

 

[moose30273]

In my humble experience, some are and some are not. The older they are the better bet they are pure lead or similar. However, the newer stuff is likely to contain zinc or other impurities. They will work ok for a rifle or musket. But may be too hard for a cap and ball revolver. Best thing to do is try them. Lead and lead alloys is a huge can of worms.

 

[BrownBear]

If you can dent or cut them with a thumbnail, they're near pure lead and will be just fine. If you can barely mark them, they're too hard and will face the restrictions Moose identifies.

You really don't want to use any of my fishing weights. I cast all ours from 1 oz to 32 oz from waste range lead with tin or antimony alloyed in them. They're not as hard as wheel weights and good for round balls only if you adjust your patch thickness.