Types of Lead?

[Larry Beach]

So how does the Printers lead compare with wheel weight lead? I also cast for my smokless rifles too and coat with liquid Alox.

... Even with that he only had about 100 lbs. I bought all he had. That lead is getting kind of hard to find.
BUT just when you say that we got the back side of an old newspaper building and I found about 90 lbs of printers lead there... FREE...

You would be wise to keep that lead from the newspaper building seperate from any pure lead you may have.

The lead used for making type has alloys added to make it hard so it can last thru printing thousands of pages of newsprint without wearing down.
The lead alloy also has a lower melting temperature than pure lead.
This is especially true if the newspaper was using a rotogravure press.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Its a bit harder than wheel weights.

Use it for other than muzzleloading projectiles.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Printers lead a/k/a linotype is much harder than pure lead.
No comparison can be made with wheel weights as these days they are made of many different materials, often no even lead.

 

[19 16 6]

Thing I like about muzzleloaders is that if'n yer can git it down there, then ya cin shoots it out.
I have always, from a kid, wanted to shoot bent & rusty nails out of a blunderbuss.
O.

 

[mooman76]

Mine is allot harder. If I didn't know better I would think it was a soft steel or pot metal but it does melt in my pot. It mat be monotype which I have heard it is even harder than Linotype.

 

[Paul R]

If I remember from a printing class from my college days, printers type lead does not shrink in the molds. That would give it a more accurate print face. Not sure how that would affect cast round balls.
Paul

 

[tozzybum]

it,s got antimony in it ,to make it harddddd.so itl melt in your pot but be a bit tougher when moulded.it ,s popular here for making shot for reloading cartridges .atb

 

[necchi]

So how does the Printers lead compare with wheel weight lead?

You really wanna know?
http://www.lasc.us/CastBulletAlloy.htm

 

[Eterry]

Linotype, aka printers lead, is very very hard, and is added to plumbers lead and even wheel weights to make them hard enough for magnum pistol and rifle bullet velocities.
In fact, some shooters cast straight linotype for rifle loads, but are lighter in weight.

BTW, it is highly desirable and sought after in the modern arms casting society, and would bring a hefty price if advertised as such, like in cast boolits website.

Eterry

 

[Larry Beach]

JohnT, thanks so much! that was really good reading and answere just about every question I can imagine! I think I will keep the Lynotype, or at least 1/2 of it as I reload one of my Favorite cartridges the 303 British Enfield and Mosen Nagant, seems once aloxed and gas checked they should be just fine.
All your other suggestions and replies are terrific. This is truly one of the best sites I have found with the best knowledge I could imagine! Thanks, Thanks, and Thanks again.

So how does the Printers lead compare with wheel weight lead?

You really wanna know?
http://www.lasc.us/CastBulletAlloy.htm

 

[necchi]

Your most Welcome,
I too enjoy fact/data unhindered by opinion or vexed by singular "experience". The LASC is a great resource of such information.
When you can transfer that knowledge to lead purchase from reliable sources like Roto metals, it all starts to make sense.
Here's a link to a blind "BNH tester" test that's very interesting also.
http://www.lasc.us/Shay-BHN-Tester-Experiment.htm
Member Idaho Ron was one of the participants and will share his tools and time here freely if asked. He's done some amazing things with long distance shooting of common ML's.

 

[Idaho Ron]

necchi is right if anyone would like their lead tested I would be glad to help.