Home Forums Reloading Bullet Casting melted my lead

Just spent the better part of 3 days melting down a wheelbarrow load of lead and wheelweights over a propane burner and aluminum pot. I had some old sewer pipe that was a real treat to skim off, and some lead window weights that wern't bad at all. The wheel weights were a nuisance and smelled worse that the sewer pipe. I've had my fill of that for awhile, but at least I'm ready to cast some bullets.

Just saw this post and old or not I thought I'd reply.There are easier ways to get your wheelweights melted down to ingots. I use a five gallon stainless steel pot that a welding buddy made for me, though any large steel pot will work. Then I use a 400,000 btu propane tiger torch to melt the whole thing. They are cheap and common in my part of the world, but can no doubt be rented anywhere. Use a small shovel or spade to skim the clips, gravel and crud out. A metal ice fishing scoop works even better. Refill the pot with more weights now that the level is down, using the same shovel to keep yourself safe from splashes. When you have enough or all of your WWs reduced in this fashion,use a heavy ladle to scoop the molten lead into your ingot molds. Mine are cheap muffin trays set on wet old towels in old medical trays. This will speed cooling immeasurably. A wheelbarrel load should take about 3 hours to complete. Shooting it all up might take a little longer though! lol Not as long as some might think but longer. .308 Win is a great cast bullet cartridge, enjoy.
Mike <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />