lead question

[mncrappie35]

I was doing some research on the internet for lead. The lead ingots go for almost 5 bucks a pound. Now I also saw that some people have bought lead at a salvage yard. Now I have read that you should use the purist lead you can find. If I get lead from a salvage yard or other sources, how do know how pure the lead is. I have enough jig heads now, but looking for something to do when it's too damn cold during the winter to do anything else.

[skeetbum]

Sheets of lead from xray booths are definitely pure, as would roofing and plumbers lead. Any round ingots displaying a number is old style plumbers lead and good stuff. Sometimes you just have to roll the dice and hope for the best. Wheel weights will do OK down to 1/16 but smaller works better with pure. I keep mine separate from each other and do the big stuff from WW with no problems. You can mix it to stretch it some also.

[Fatman]

Based on some of the prices out there where you can't know where it's pure I've looked at Roto Metals and this is a 5 lb. block for $2.39 a lb.
Lead Ingot Pure 99.9%

Another one is Buffalo Arms 9 lb. block of pure lead $1.91, $17.19 +shipping
Pure Lead Bullet Casting Alloy|Bullet Alloy

Roto I know is good several friends on other boards have ordered from them. Buffalo Arms price seems ok.

Luckily I've never had to buy lead!! The smallest I've poured is with a 2-1 mix of tire/pure down to 1/48th pony head. Any lower than that I'd stick with the pure. Salvage yards have to keep records of what they've bought - so you should be okay - but usually they'll sell by market rate.

Check around for muzzle loading groups - they prefer pure lead and might be able to point you in the right direction. I go on Cast Boolits and they have one girl on there that sells lead and lots of folks buy from her. Their lead molding section is also excellent!!!

[Redge]

Fatman is giving you some great advice! Check for a metallic cartridge black powder silhouette group in your area, they can get you to the right person. It will be local and you won't have to hassle with freight!

[liftbite56]

If you have a salvage place like I do you can strike up a friendship with them...maybe and have them call you when some re-claimed lead is brought in. The X-ray room lead is fantastic except for,the glue,on the back. I pay .72 a pound..it's great!

[skeetbum]

I delivered to a plumbing supply this past week and checked on the price of plumbers lead. Comes in 5lb ingots and sells for $3.90 per pound. It isn't cheap but it is pure. Thought someone might need some to mix with wheel weights and this would do, though it seems a bit pricey. Gas money finding some cheaper lead still ups the cost.

[Fatman]

$.78 lb. for clean pure isn't all that bad Skeet!!!!

[canebreaker]

I checked at the local scrap yard. Wheel weights are $1.05 per pound. Molded pure lead is $1.10 per pound.
I carried my wife's car to have 2 rear tires replaced, rear wheel alignment and oil changed. The manager told me to check the trunk when I got home. I found a full 5 gallon bucket of ww, I couldn't pick it up out of the trunk. I got some smaller buckets and started dividing the stuff out. 1 3 gallon bucket of wheel weights. 1 2 gallon bucket of zinc ww, valve stems and other metals, 1 for trash. The rubber on the valve stems will be burnt off and added to my other scrap brass to be sold when I get a 5 gallon bucket full. The other metals will be added to my monthly sell to the scrap dealer.