questions on lead for PRB

[coloradoclyde]

MD:

Just got to ask.

How do you guys cut up that counterweight?

Never figured that part of it out when I was given large blocks of lead.

Scipio

I prefer a bigger melting pot....sawing is too messy....But a hatchet, axe or splitting maul and a BFH or regular maul to hit it with works pretty good.

 

[coloradoclyde]

I cast some out of 95/5 lead free solder and some out of pure tin....they worked ok....printed a little higher on the paper but shot ok..

IIRC the tin ones broke in half when they hit the bullet trap.

 

[M. De Land]

It came to us in four steel jackets that were mounted on the rear of the crane. The jacket tops were open.
I split a 55 gallon barrel length wise, welded on some sheet steel side panels to make and elongated barrel that just slid over the top of each singular counter weight jacket.
I then bought two weed burners and cut two holes near the bottom middle on each side of the sections welded to the split drum. Leaving an opening at the top this made a whirl wind of flame all around the steel counter weight jacket and with an opening in the top a very effective oven.
The top of the counter weight jackets were open and when molten we simply made a long handled dipper to reach down through the top opening to dip out and ingot pour the melted lead.
We melted and poured around the clock for three full week ends. I burned up 125 lbs of propane in the deal.

 

[Scipio]

M.D:

Ha! That's pretty squared away.

Must have had to wait hours for something to melt but I got to say that it would be a lot easier than hacking away with an hatchet or trying to cut it with a chain saw.

If you got a picture of it, you got to post it.

Scipio

 

[Tom Compton]

I have great results w a sawsall

 

[Loyalist Dave]

All I Can Say to You Guys who poo poo the range lead...,

:shake:

The alloy will be harder, and when cast will not shrink as much, so you do have to change your patching. But you should TRY it in your rifle to see what you get if you have so much of the scrap slugs around to gather, and you're looking to just punch paper.

THEN if it doesn't work..., you should gather the slugs, melt them down, and pour them into some Lee brand, ingot molds.

Then sell those alloy ingots to guys who cast for modern pistol bullets, or trade for ingots of soft lead. :grin:

LD

 

[Stumpkiller]

The lead inside jacketed bullets is soft and the jackets float when you melt them down.

Years ago I was given a section of a keel from a large sailboat - but it was too large to move and they wouldn't let me use power tools (it was on a beach beside a boathouse). Best method I found was a Stanley bench plane set course. I shaved off long curls and tossed them in 5 gallon pails to take home.

 

[Scipio]

SK:

Have used axes, hatchets, chain saws, regular saws. Sure, I was able to hack off chunks that could be thrown into a 20 LB furnace but it was a long and tedious process.

Never thought of using a plane. Another idea that will be logged away for future use!

Scipio

 

[coloradoclyde]

power plane?.... :hmm:

 

[necchi]

The lead inside jacketed bullets is soft

Well, that was true when wheel weights were soft.
Times have changed.