casting lead sources

chainsaw · Apr 2, 2012

i plan on learning to cast my own bullets and wanted to know some good places to look for lead.where do you guys get yours?

evltwn · Apr 3, 2012

I asked permission to mine lead from the indoor range I shoot at. It smelts down to 84% of the original weight. I understand that a local scrap iron dealer has lead ingots for $.75 / lb, but haven't bought from them. Wheel weights seem to be no longer much of a source, as the industry is moving more into steel and zinc.

Dunerunner · Apr 3, 2012

Here is a source...but it aint free!

Casting Bullet Alloys from Rotometals

PaulZ · Apr 3, 2012

Craigs List, Ebay, this forum under "reloading"

Squidly · Feb 12, 2016

Calbag Metals. It's on NW Nicolai. They have tons of scrap lead. Pure lead, 2.5% tin, 6% tin. Some very clean, others not so much. I went on a field trip last tuesday morning before work. Scored 400lbs of typeset alloy. Their hand held analyzer said it was 19% Antimony. Sorry, you'll have to wait for the next batch. The typeset is all gone.

I am not associated with Calbag Metals in any way. Just sharing knowledge.

Certaindeaf · Feb 12, 2016

Squidly said:
Calbag Metals. It's on NW Nicolai. They have tons of scrap lead. Pure lead, 2.5% tin, 6% tin. Some very clean, others not so much. I went on a field trip last tuesday morning before work. Scored 400lbs of typeset alloy. Their hand held analyzer said it was 19% Antimony. Sorry, you'll have to wait for the next batch. The typeset is all gone.

I am not associated with Calbag Metals in any way. Just sharing knowledge.

What were the rough prices and minimum amount(s)? The last place I went to with about the best prices around here (years ago) was 500lbs.

Squidly · Feb 12, 2016

Certaindeaf said:
What were the rough prices and minimum amount(s)? The last place I went to with about the best prices around here (years ago) was 500lbs.

I met a guy that works at Calbag. When I expressed interest in their lead stockpile, he invited me to the shop for a field trip. The short story is that I left with about 120 lbs of 6% tin. Returned today for 400 lbs of typeset.

I asked him if he would be willing set aside typeset, babbitt, and other odd lead alloys. He said he would. I don't know about minimums. The price changes daily, but is running under $1/lb.

Silver Hand · Feb 12, 2016

last time I checked it was about .35 cents a pound at the smelter, It has been a few years. People are doing pretty well selling at at a dollar a pound.
Silver Hand

Squidly · Feb 12, 2016

Have you checked the price of linotype? Or 16:1? Or babbitt?

Certaindeaf · Feb 13, 2016

That's a nice heads up reminder as to the utility of one of those test guns.
I've left lie cheaply priced ringing mystery metals galore at the yards because I had no idea the composition.. not that I use the hard stuff much these days.