Using Lead car batteries as shotgun lead?

[SmokeRolls]

Since lead is drying up and or getting more expensive and lead wheel weights are disapearing and being replaced by a non-lead substitute. Do old car batteries work fairly well? Yeh, I'm not looking forward to tearing them apart but I have started to collect a couple of batteries for the task. my brother-in law has built a lead dripper for making shot and has test run it for the right sized shot. ... Any info or experiences post it....SmokeRolls

 

[AJ300MAG]

Re: Using Lead car batteries as shotgun lead?

Only if you have a death wish. Battery lead is alloyed with arsenic.

 

[SmokeRolls]

Re: Using Lead car batteries as shotgun lead?

Thats a pretty good argument...hahahahahaha...Does the smelting process remove any of this? Or is it a no go on even the old timers, you know the ones that died when they were 50 ..hahaha...Smelting lead and lead in general is not a healthy process / material either way due to the fumes and chemical composition but is this a complete no go due to the poison in the lead? Questions, questions? Be patient with me, I'm trying to get a thorough answer Any additional info would be appreciated.SmokeRolls

 

[AJ300MAG]

Re: Using Lead car batteries as shotgun lead?

I'll have to see if I can find a link for you. Back 30 years ago when I started casting pistol bullets it was taboo to even consider batteries.

 

[SmokeRolls]

Re: Using Lead car batteries as shotgun lead?

Thankyou for the additional info.. That article would be cool but don't kill yourself over it.. I do appreciate it.. Thanks..Patrick

 

[nicholst55]

Re: Using Lead car batteries as shotgun lead?

Here ya go; this subject comes up so often at Cast Boolits that they have stickies on it:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=32841&highlight=car+battery

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=43928&highlight=car+battery

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=35370&highlight=car+batteries

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=32891&highlight=car+batteries

 

[desertHK]

Re: Using Lead car batteries as shotgun lead?

You definitely don't want to inhale any of that stuff, for sure. Don't recommend it. Not to mention that you probably will have the EPA knocking on your door demanding some answers.

 

[AUJohn]

Re: Using Lead car batteries as shotgun lead?

You also get issues with some acid being still present and causing etching.

 

[Larry Burchfield]

Re: Using Lead car batteries as shotgun lead?

avoid car batteries at all cost!!!!!!
larrj

 

[SmokeRolls]

Re: Using Lead car batteries as shotgun lead?

Thanks for all the info... All questions are answered very nicely.. Thanks for all the help. I will scrap the batteries and use the jingle to locate a better source of lead for shot.............SmokeRolls

 

[former naval person]

Re: Using Lead car batteries as shotgun lead?

As I understand it, it isn't the "calcium" that is so toxic. It is the "Cadmium" in modern "no maintenence" batteries. Older (and newer batteries that are NOT no maintenence) could be melted. Better to forget it and use wheelweights. Not the stick on type, but the clamp on. They are fairly consistant. Not pure lead, however. For casting good bullets you'll need to add about 1% tin for filling out the mould.