Wheel weights for bullet casting?

t_bob38 · December 18, 2002, 03:10 PM

I've about used up my old bullet mix, so yesterday I got 80 pounds of wheel weights at the local tire shop. Any suggestions on using this? Several years ago I melted a few of these so already know about washing off the dog piss, or doing it outside.

john kilgore · December 18, 2002, 03:22 PM

For velocities below 900fps w/o gaschecks, and 1900fps w/gas checks, no change other than normal procedures is needed. If you want to go to 1,200 fps / 2,200fps, add some lead-free solder (95%tin-5% antimony) till bullets come out and stay real shiny. For even more umph, try heat treating them (only neccessary if your shooting fast loads through a semi-auto for loads that will operate the gas system. All I use is wheel weights (3-4 5gallon pails a year !). Though I do have a secret "stash" of Lino-type!

Cheapo · December 18, 2002, 08:54 PM

Just tested one of my .30 carbine cast bullets last night and they were precisely where wheelweights are supposed to be (Brinnel 8/SAECO 5). They're gas checks, my loads go about 1900 fps, and the 100-yard groups are 2 inches with iron sights.

You'll probably be happy with the alloy. I've shot a few Brinnel 20-24 cast bullets from handguns, and saw no performance improvement or reduction in leading as compared to the softer mix. Maybe it's that home-brew bullet lube...

C.R.Sam · December 18, 2002, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Maybe it's that home-brew bullet lube

Lube is a BIGGIE.
The best of alloys with mediocre lube will lead.

Good lube will allow soft bullets to function fine.

Sam

LAH · December 19, 2002, 07:35 AM

When melting take care when removing the clips that they haven't a lot of alloy attached to them. Make sure you flux before pouring your ingots. I've shot wheel weights for 30 years and there's no need to add anything to them unless your mould won't fill out. Then you can add maybe 2% tin. Air cooled wheel weights can be moved very fast in a rifle if they fit the bore. Example: I sent Jim Taylor a large box of the Dry Creek 38-147-RN bullets cast from straight air cooled wheel weights using our standard hard lube. He moved them at 1900 fps without any problems. Our lube is good but I think fit is more important. When using a sixgun it's a different ballgame and you won't be able to move them near as fast but I've had revolvers shoot fairly clean at 1200 fps.

You can water quench wheel weights straight from the mould and most I've had will test 16-18 BHN which is about hard enough for anything. Sorry for the long post, just my 2 cents.

Sisco · December 19, 2002, 08:19 AM

Cheapo
What's your load for the carbine? I have a bunch of gas checked hollow points I've never loaded. With FMJ I use H110 or Lil' Gun.

Paul Fitz Jones · December 21, 2002, 02:56 AM

As the top Salesman for the California Saeco Bulletcasting Co. I insisted that the thousands of molds I sold be based on common wheel weights for pistol calibers and that they need minimal sizing and worked great with the Saeco Secret Formula in the Saeco Green Lube that contained the secret use of automotive STP the slick mileage enhanser for automobiles. Ask me for the formula broken doen for home use.

cukrus · December 21, 2002, 12:36 PM

Paul (JP) Jones, should I ask for the secret formula lube, broken down for home use, here or in an email?
YOS,
Cukrus

Paul Fitz Jones · December 21, 2002, 03:19 PM

I designed my California Saeco molds for common tire weights for minimal sizing to not deform the bullet ridges affecting the spin if the ridges were deformed on one side more than the other and harder than commonly leading commercial bullets to grip the barrel grooves better and combined with the California Saeco secret Lube that reduced barrel resistance also reducing the powder needed for the same FPS. Tire Weights are now considered a hazardous substance and cost to dispose of so that can be had free for the asking especially if you ask for them as fishing sinkers . It is no tire company employees business that you are a gun owner.
E-mail me for the secret lube at [email protected].

Steve Smith · December 21, 2002, 07:28 PM

Just toss 'em in a cook down pot and cook 'em till they melt, toss in a match and stand back. When you "reduce" the lead this way, you can remove the clips and the rest will purn off anyway. Forget washing.

whofan · June 4, 2004, 12:18 PM

I did not realize how old this thread was . I just e-mailed Paul. I guess I will wait and see what happens.

December 18, 2002, 03:10 PM	#1
t_bob38 Junior Member Join Date: December 17, 2002 Location: NE Washington state Posts: 6	Wheel weights for bullet casting? I've about used up my old bullet mix, so yesterday I got 80 pounds of wheel weights at the local tire shop. Any suggestions on using this? Several years ago I melted a few of these so already know about washing off the dog piss, or doing it outside.

December 18, 2002, 03:22 PM	#2
john kilgore Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2002 Location: east georgia Posts: 125	For velocities below 900fps w/o gaschecks, and 1900fps w/gas checks, no change other than normal procedures is needed. If you want to go to 1,200 fps / 2,200fps, add some lead-free solder (95%tin-5% antimony) till bullets come out and stay real shiny. For even more umph, try heat treating them (only neccessary if your shooting fast loads through a semi-auto for loads that will operate the gas system. All I use is wheel weights (3-4 5gallon pails a year !). Though I do have a secret "stash" of Lino-type! __________________ "There is no such thing as a second place winner in a gunfight" Bill Jordan

December 18, 2002, 08:54 PM	#3
Cheapo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 1998 Posts: 986	Just tested one of my .30 carbine cast bullets last night and they were precisely where wheelweights are supposed to be (Brinnel 8/SAECO 5). They're gas checks, my loads go about 1900 fps, and the 100-yard groups are 2 inches with iron sights. You'll probably be happy with the alloy. I've shot a few Brinnel 20-24 cast bullets from handguns, and saw no performance improvement or reduction in leading as compared to the softer mix. Maybe it's that home-brew bullet lube... __________________ Let us never forget that the only legitimate source of government power is the citizens. If WE cannot exercise a certain power, we cannot grant it to the state.

December 19, 2002, 08:19 AM	#6
Sisco Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Location: KS Posts: 1,558	Cheapo What's your load for the carbine? I have a bunch of gas checked hollow points I've never loaded. With FMJ I use H110 or Lil' Gun. __________________ "I don't mind it when stupid people say stupid things. Stupid people should be encouraged to say stupid things, that way we always know who the stupid people are." ~ Ted Nugent http://www.awbansunset.com/awcountdown_sm.gif

December 21, 2002, 02:56 AM	#7
Paul Fitz Jones Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2002 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 266	WW for bullets As the top Salesman for the California Saeco Bulletcasting Co. I insisted that the thousands of molds I sold be based on common wheel weights for pistol calibers and that they need minimal sizing and worked great with the Saeco Secret Formula in the Saeco Green Lube that contained the secret use of automotive STP the slick mileage enhanser for automobiles. Ask me for the formula broken doen for home use. __________________ Paul Fitz Jones Retired and Loving It Industry Manufacturer Competitor Police Firearms Instructor

December 19, 2002, 07:35 AM	#5
LAH Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2002 Location: In The Hardwoods Posts: 1,188	When melting take care when removing the clips that they haven't a lot of alloy attached to them. Make sure you flux before pouring your ingots. I've shot wheel weights for 30 years and there's no need to add anything to them unless your mould won't fill out. Then you can add maybe 2% tin. Air cooled wheel weights can be moved very fast in a rifle if they fit the bore. Example: I sent Jim Taylor a large box of the Dry Creek 38-147-RN bullets cast from straight air cooled wheel weights using our standard hard lube. He moved them at 1900 fps without any problems. Our lube is good but I think fit is more important. When using a sixgun it's a different ballgame and you won't be able to move them near as fast but I've had revolvers shoot fairly clean at 1200 fps. You can water quench wheel weights straight from the mould and most I've had will test 16-18 BHN which is about hard enough for anything. Sorry for the long post, just my 2 cents.

December 21, 2002, 12:36 PM	#8
cukrus Member Join Date: December 4, 2001 Posts: 33	Paul (JP) Jones, should I ask for the secret formula lube, broken down for home use, here or in an email? YOS, Cukrus

December 21, 2002, 03:19 PM	#9
Paul Fitz Jones Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2002 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 266	E-Mail for Secret Lube I designed my California Saeco molds for common tire weights for minimal sizing to not deform the bullet ridges affecting the spin if the ridges were deformed on one side more than the other and harder than commonly leading commercial bullets to grip the barrel grooves better and combined with the California Saeco secret Lube that reduced barrel resistance also reducing the powder needed for the same FPS. Tire Weights are now considered a hazardous substance and cost to dispose of so that can be had free for the asking especially if you ask for them as fishing sinkers . It is no tire company employees business that you are a gun owner. E-mail me for the secret lube at [email protected]. __________________ Paul Fitz Jones Retired and Loving It Industry Manufacturer Competitor Police Firearms Instructor

December 21, 2002, 07:28 PM	#10
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	Why are you WASHING your wheel weights?!!! Just toss 'em in a cook down pot and cook 'em till they melt, toss in a match and stand back. When you "reduce" the lead this way, you can remove the clips and the rest will purn off anyway. Forget washing. __________________ Favor the X. Steve Smith NRA Life Member

June 4, 2004, 12:18 PM	#11
whofan Registration in progress Join Date: June 3, 2004 Location: Missouri Ozarks Posts: 16	I did not realize how old this thread was . I just e-mailed Paul. I guess I will wait and see what happens.

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