Storing lead conical and round bullets

[user 33697]

Hi guys,
I thought that I would share a tip on how I store my lead conical and round bullets to keep them from developing lead oxide. I store my different sized bullets in cheap small plastic containers with a few oxygen absorber packets and a plastic sandwich bag to seal the container lid. Below is a photo of some of my bullets that have been stored over a couple years that are just as shiny as when I first cast them.

 

[ppg1949]

Good idea. I wish I'd been smart enough to think of that. I suppose that's why I'm in this forum.Thanks for sharing.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I just give them a shot of WD-40. Works.

 

[51colt]

Good tip, thanks for sharing. That's some good looking lead better than store-bought!

51

 

[nessmuk]

Good tip. Keeping them shiny will help me find them when they fall off the patch while I am trying to load.

 

[Carbon 6]

Hi guys,
I thought that I would share a tip on how I store my lead conical and round bullets to keep them from developing lead oxide. I store my different sized bullets in cheap small plastic containers with a few oxygen absorber packets and a plastic sandwich bag to seal the container lid. Below is a photo of some of my bullets that have been stored over a couple years that are just as shiny as when I first cast them.

View attachment 28373

If you had a problem with your balls turning white, oxygen is not the problem. Acid and carbon dioxide is.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_lead

 

[nkbj]

Or blue.

 

[Ames]

I don't think the deer will care if my lead turned white. Just sayin'.

 

[Juice Jaws]

I shoot them before they go bad.

 

[bang]

Roll them in a veg or olive oil or canola oil ect oil oily rag then in storage. Natural and non toxic.

 

[user 33697]

Carbon 6 made a good point. It's not that my bullets are turning white due to lead oxide corrosion from acid or carbon dioxide. What I should have said is "to help keep your bullets shiny and not tarnish to a dull gray over time".

 

[Carbon 6]

Carbon 6 made a good point. It's not that my bullets are turning white due to lead oxide corrosion from acid or carbon dioxide. What I should have said is "to help keep your bullets shiny and not tarnish to a dull gray over time".

Even if they turn dull or grey, I don't think oxygen is the root cause.
Touching them might have more to do with it.

Eventually I expect balls to lose their shininess time = exposure to whatever.
I just uncovered some balls laying on my workbench in the shed (outside) that were cast a year and a half ago. They looked fresh made and were only protected by a cloth towel.

 

[user 43911]

Heck, 30 minutes after casting my stuff goes blue/purple, some change within minutes.

 

[Eutycus]

What time period are we talking here? From shiny to dull gray takes a few years doesn't it?

 

[Carbon 6]

Heck, 30 minutes after casting my stuff goes blue/purple, some change within minutes.

I would wonder what you are casting, (alloy composition) makes me wonder if there isn't a more reactive metal in the mix..

 

[user 43911]

I would wonder what you are casting, (alloy composition) makes me wonder if there isn't a more reactive metal in the mix..

Only lead in the pot is 4 x 5lb bars from RotoMetals,
https://www.rotometals.com/pure-soft-lead-metal-99-9-5-pound-ingot/
I have dropped from kitchen counter top both round ball and Minie's onto wood floor and both were left with a solid flat spot or flattened skirt, stuff is very soft .

 

[Carbon 6]

Only lead in the pot is 4 x 5lb bars from RotoMetals,
https://www.rotometals.com/pure-soft-lead-metal-99-9-5-pound-ingot/View attachment 28528

Electric melting pot or over a fire ?

 

[user 43911]

Electric Lee Pro something 20 pound, only lead that has gone in the pot is what I posted above, cast .535 RB and 415 grain .540 Minie at 720 degs, I use a dipper and not the valve at the bottom of pot. After casting I put a little sawdust and beeswax on top of lead in the pot (don't know why, a guy I used to shoot with did it to his).

I've shot the minie's in a Pedersoli Rocky Mountain Hawken .54 with 11 thou rifling and 1 in 65 twist and they will shoot touching hole groups at 100 yds. I have recovered ball and minie and put back in the pot (from this same batch of lead), I use a bullet proof vest on the berm behind the target to capture them with no dirt.

 

[Cowboy]

I just give them a shot of WD-40. Works.

Same here. Treat them with a little WD-40. Store them away and as good as newly cast 5 years later. Have plastic Folger’s coffee cans full that I store away.

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[Carbon 6]

Electric Lee Pro something 20 pound, only lead that has gone in the pot is what I posted above, cast .535 RB and 415 grain .540 Minie at 720 degs, I use a dipper and not the valve at the bottom of pot. After casting I put a little sawdust and beeswax on top of lead in the pot (don't know why, a guy I used to shoot with did it to his).

I don't use a dipper and I don't use saw dust. Maybe that has something to do with it.