What is a lead alloy bullet?

Bullet Lead Lead (Pb) is a heavy, malleable metal that helps carry a bullet’s momentum until it reaches the target. Lead can be heat treated to lessen brittleness and conducts heat very slowly, making it an ideal alloy for bullet making.

How much does bullet lead cost?

The current market cost of a leaded 5.56 mm round is 21 cents compared to 32 cents for a lead-free tungsten composite round. Using our typical range scenario, we can estimate both the number of bullets (1.89 million) and the cost of lead removal — 3,636 tons times cost/ton (column 3).

What is #2 lead alloy?

Our Lyman #2 alloy (90% Lead, 5% Tin, 5% Antimony) comes in an ingot that measures approximately 8-3/4″ by 1″ x 2″ and weighs approximately 5 lbs. 25) The Brinell Hardness of this Lyman 2 alloy is about ~ 16.

What alloy is used in bullets?

Most cast bullets are made of lead alloyed with tin and antimony; but zinc alloys have been used when lead is scarce, and may be used again in response to concerns about lead toxicity. Most commercial bullet manufacturers use swaging in preference to casting, but bullet casting remains popular with handloaders.

What type of lead is used for bullets?

For slightly higher-speed bullets fired in modern firearms, a harder alloy of lead and tin or typesetter’s lead (used to mold linotype) works very well. For even higher-speed bullet use, jacketed coated lead bullets are used.

What lead is best for bullets?

Pure lead is the softest and is usually used for muzzle loaders and such whereas lead with antimony and tin is used for much harder bullets. Linotype is an old type of lead mixed with antimony and tin for the letters they used to print newspapers back in the day.

What mixes with lead for casting bullets?

This is why lead should be alloyed with a small percentage of tin to make the bullets harder and better-cast. Adding a trace of antimony to the lead-tin alloy makes them even harder. A good all-purpose alloy for both pistol and revolver bullets is 10 parts lead to one part each of tin and antimony.

How much antimony is in a bullet?

Bullet Casting Alloy consists of 2% tin, 6% antimony and 92% lead – also known as “hardball” bullet casting alloy.

What to add to lead for bullets?