Page Index Toggle Pages: 1 Send TopicPrint
Normal Topic Using Lead from 22 Bullets (Read 3651 times)
FEB
Ex Member


Using Lead from 22 Bullets
Oct 31st, 2011 at 7:57pm
Print Post  
I use a catch box with my 22 lr rifles on our own property when I don't go to the range.  By the end of the season, I end up with a few pounds of lead.

What is the composition and hardness of 22 bullets (Federal or Remington)?  Would it be reasonable to add them to the mix when casting for my 38-55 and 40-65, where I now use 20-1 lead-tin?

Thanks.

FEB
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
frnkeore
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 7650
Location: Central Point, OR 97502
Joined: Jun 16th, 2010
Re: Using Lead from 22 Bullets
Reply #1 - Oct 31st, 2011 at 8:36pm
Print Post  
They are pure lead and antimony. I'm not sure of the percentage but it's between 2 and 6%. I don't add them to my lead/tin mixtures but, melt them with my pistol or GC mixes.

Frank
  

ASSRA Member #696, ISSA Member #339
Back to top
YIMAIM  
IP Logged
 
boats
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 7728
Location: Virginia
Joined: Apr 23rd, 2004
Re: Using Lead from 22 Bullets
Reply #2 - Oct 31st, 2011 at 9:26pm
Print Post  
Good bullet alloy is the cheapest part of single shot shooting. And the bullet is the most important part when it comes to accuracy.

Couple pounds ? worth a couple dollars, too much antimony could cause lots of problems.  My advice is use plumbers lead, wheel weights &  rim fire range scrap for fishing sinkers.

Boats
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
marlinguy
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline


Ballards may be weaker,
but they sure are neater!

Posts: 18048
Location: Oregon
Joined: Feb 2nd, 2009
Re: Using Lead from 22 Bullets
Reply #3 - Nov 2nd, 2011 at 10:22am
Print Post  
I have a 5 gallon bucket of lead recovered from our pistol range. Mostly .22RF bullets, but also some other misc. CF bullets too. I use it to cast plinkers for my CF handguns, but never for my singleshot rifles. Seems to work and shoot great in my handguns.
  

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Old Center Shot
Ex Member


Re: Using Lead from 22 Bullets
Reply #4 - Nov 2nd, 2011 at 2:39pm
Print Post  
  Back in the 1960's someone at Remington said 22 S V bullets were 1 part tin to 40 parts lead. Don't know if that's still true.
  O C S
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
JLouis
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 10625
Joined: Apr 8th, 2009
Re: Using Lead from 22 Bullets
Reply #5 - Nov 2nd, 2011 at 3:08pm
Print Post  
I would not recommend it your bullet alloy hardness consistency is just as important as the powder and primer combination and seating depth that you will be settling on during load development to achieve consistent accuracy. My approach is to try to eliminate as many variables as is possible and you would be introducing one of those variables back into the mix of things you should be trying to eliminate.

J.Louis
  

" It Is Better To Now Have Been A Has Been Than A Never Was Or A Wanna Be "
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
FEB
Ex Member


Re: Using Lead from 22 Bullets
Reply #6 - Nov 2nd, 2011 at 8:07pm
Print Post  
Thanks to everyone for the replies.  Guess I'll melt the 22 bullets for car weights on my model railroad or give them to a fellow I know who uses scrap lead to cast for his muzzleloader.

FEB
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
John Boy
Ex Member


Re: Using Lead from 22 Bullets
Reply #7 - Nov 12th, 2011 at 9:07pm
Print Post  
I took the hardness on a couple of brands a few days ago:
Wolf Extra Match - Bhn 4.9
Blazer - Bhn 5.0
Previously, the Super X - Bhn 5.0
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send TopicPrint