I have Several hundred if not thousand bullets that went through a house fire. I can see there is a little bit of black but not completely burnt. I do not trust them to shoot. Is it possible to melt them down to cast new bullts even though most are copper jacketed. Or should I just scrap them?
Any use for bad bullets
- Thread starter buckskin52
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Re: Any use for bad bullets
the copper and lead will seperate when melted. If you do cast bullets, why not? Or seperate and sell the scrap metal. Copper is still going for a decent amount, and better than just tossing the lead in the trash.
the copper and lead will seperate when melted. If you do cast bullets, why not? Or seperate and sell the scrap metal. Copper is still going for a decent amount, and better than just tossing the lead in the trash.
Re: Any use for bad bullets
I have "mined" several impact berms and melted the bullets. If you clean the bullets as it melts you can get most of the lead out of the jackets. The scrap people will try to pull your chain. They'll tell you it isn't worth anything. Then they'll offer you .10 a pound for it. But MOST gilding metal jackets are between 75 and 90% copper.
One warning about the lead. It's usually very soft. You'll need to add some wheel weights or linotype metal to harden it to the point that it doesn't leave lead in the barrel. Or use a gas check mold.
I have "mined" several impact berms and melted the bullets. If you clean the bullets as it melts you can get most of the lead out of the jackets. The scrap people will try to pull your chain. They'll tell you it isn't worth anything. Then they'll offer you .10 a pound for it. But MOST gilding metal jackets are between 75 and 90% copper.
One warning about the lead. It's usually very soft. You'll need to add some wheel weights or linotype metal to harden it to the point that it doesn't leave lead in the barrel. Or use a gas check mold.
Re: Any use for bad bullets
Load the clean ones up for zombies or noobs, when you take them shooting.
Why waste the good shit on zombies and noobs?
Chris
Load the clean ones up for zombies or noobs, when you take them shooting.
Why waste the good shit on zombies and noobs?
Chris
Re: Any use for bad bullets
Unless you can see obvious deformation of the bullet, it is entirely possible that all that's occurred is that the jackets got annealed. Before you totally distrust them, try a few; assuming they are still dimensionally intact. You may be junking something that's simply been smoke smudged.
Greg
Unless you can see obvious deformation of the bullet, it is entirely possible that all that's occurred is that the jackets got annealed. Before you totally distrust them, try a few; assuming they are still dimensionally intact. You may be junking something that's simply been smoke smudged.
Greg
Re: Any use for bad bullets
Thanks for all the input, I will have to take a better look at them and see how bad they are. Most are older bullets that I do not even have the gun that shoots them. I got them from a friend who recently passed away. His house burnt down in the mid 80's. I am going to start casting my own bullets. I have everything for 357 and 44 mag including a few thousand copper jacets. Thanks for the tip about the wheel weights.
Thanks for all the input, I will have to take a better look at them and see how bad they are. Most are older bullets that I do not even have the gun that shoots them. I got them from a friend who recently passed away. His house burnt down in the mid 80's. I am going to start casting my own bullets. I have everything for 357 and 44 mag including a few thousand copper jacets. Thanks for the tip about the wheel weights.
Re: Any use for bad bullets
For 357 and 44 you'll need to get a gas check mold and put copper gas checks on them. I have gas checks from both Lyman and Hornady. Other wise you'll be buying a Lewis Lead Remover pretty quick. The flame of the powder will melt and deposit thin bits of lead on the rifeling with every shot.
If I may suggest, Lyman also prints a Cast Bullet Handbook that has a lot of start up data in it. It's by no means the Encyclopedia Britanica on casting bullets. But it contains enough data to get you started.
Putting the half jackets on when sizing is the best way to put on half jackets or gas checks that I know. But when making the half jacket bullets, you have to have a mould especially for the length jacket you want to make. If you start out with too long of a jacket or too large a casting, you'll have problems from the get go.
Also, if you are going to use jackets you need to use soft or pure lead. Lead hardness is a hinder instead of a help when putting them in jackets. I have used my old Lyman 450 lubrisizer for quiet litteraly tons of 9mm, 38/357, 44 and 45 bullets. That's how I used to stay warm in the winters in the 1970s and 80s.
Good luck with your casting. If you get in a pinch, let me know and we can discuss it on the phone.
For 357 and 44 you'll need to get a gas check mold and put copper gas checks on them. I have gas checks from both Lyman and Hornady. Other wise you'll be buying a Lewis Lead Remover pretty quick. The flame of the powder will melt and deposit thin bits of lead on the rifeling with every shot.
If I may suggest, Lyman also prints a Cast Bullet Handbook that has a lot of start up data in it. It's by no means the Encyclopedia Britanica on casting bullets. But it contains enough data to get you started.
Putting the half jackets on when sizing is the best way to put on half jackets or gas checks that I know. But when making the half jacket bullets, you have to have a mould especially for the length jacket you want to make. If you start out with too long of a jacket or too large a casting, you'll have problems from the get go.
Also, if you are going to use jackets you need to use soft or pure lead. Lead hardness is a hinder instead of a help when putting them in jackets. I have used my old Lyman 450 lubrisizer for quiet litteraly tons of 9mm, 38/357, 44 and 45 bullets. That's how I used to stay warm in the winters in the 1970s and 80s.
Good luck with your casting. If you get in a pinch, let me know and we can discuss it on the phone.
Re: Any use for bad bullets
Victor,
Thank you for the advice I will send you a PM and get your info. I am trying to get my house sold so I can move into my permanent house and get everything set up, that is why I made this post in order to see if I should just pitch the old bullets or move them and have a use for them. I have the molds, jackets and a sturdy press to make them, but the friend that I got everything off of, died of cancer before he could show me how to use everthing. All of the dies went with his son also, which he did promise me he would get them to me, but here I am a year later with no dies. My knowledge is very limited I just have not had enough time to start researching, so any help on where to get started is greatly appreciated.
Victor,
Thank you for the advice I will send you a PM and get your info. I am trying to get my house sold so I can move into my permanent house and get everything set up, that is why I made this post in order to see if I should just pitch the old bullets or move them and have a use for them. I have the molds, jackets and a sturdy press to make them, but the friend that I got everything off of, died of cancer before he could show me how to use everthing. All of the dies went with his son also, which he did promise me he would get them to me, but here I am a year later with no dies. My knowledge is very limited I just have not had enough time to start researching, so any help on where to get started is greatly appreciated.
Re: Any use for bad bullets
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChrisGarrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Why waste the good shit on zombies and noobs?
Chris </div></div>
ROFL
thanks for the laugh Chris!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChrisGarrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Why waste the good shit on zombies and noobs?
Chris </div></div>
ROFL
