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gunsmith1 · April 5, 2005, 03:01 PM

Go easy on the tin. It is used to help the bullets fill out NOT harden the bullet. In truth it will harden the bullet but tin has a lower melting point so it will melt and you will solder your barrel. What you want is a small amount of Antimony it will harden the bullet at a higher melting point than lead but you cant add it to your pot because a home pot will not heat enough to mix in antimony. Luckily the answer is in the wheel weights. They already have enough antimony in them. The antimony is what allows you to drop your hot bullets in a bucket and water quench harden them. RCBS cast bullet manual has a great article about temper hardening bullets by baking them in your oven and water quenching them. Remember too much tin just makes solder.

April 5, 2005, 03:01 PM	#21
gunsmith1 Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2004 Location: Montana Posts: 121	Tin and Antimony Go easy on the tin. It is used to help the bullets fill out NOT harden the bullet. In truth it will harden the bullet but tin has a lower melting point so it will melt and you will solder your barrel. What you want is a small amount of Antimony it will harden the bullet at a higher melting point than lead but you cant add it to your pot because a home pot will not heat enough to mix in antimony. Luckily the answer is in the wheel weights. They already have enough antimony in them. The antimony is what allows you to drop your hot bullets in a bucket and water quench harden them. RCBS cast bullet manual has a great article about temper hardening bullets by baking them in your oven and water quenching them. Remember too much tin just makes solder.