Question about re-using recovered bullets

gearchecker · March 9, 2011, 07:34 PM

On an average month I can recover roughly 20-30 Lbs of once fired bullets from firearms testing that's done where I work.
We only use one specific ammo, and I'm wondering if the recovered lead is okay to use for casting more bullets from it.
It's all Federal .22 bullets from the "Federal Champion" bulk box of .22 LR ammo.
Can anybody tell me if these once used bullets are of good enough quality to use for recasting .38 caliber bullets for my use.

Thanks in advance

Rifleman1776 · March 9, 2011, 07:36 PM

For what you intend to use them for, I don't see why not. Go for it.
If intended for soft muzzle loading round balls, they probably are too hard. Do test some for hard/softness and judge for yourself.

Edit: BTW that is good recycling. I wish I had a nice steady source for lead like that.

gearchecker · March 9, 2011, 07:44 PM

Thanks to the Uncle Mike's 10 & 25 round banana magazines for the Ruger 10/22 I think I've got a lifetime supply of the lead available. We make them where I work, and we're required to do a 100% full magazine test of 1 from every 100 we build for fit & function. Last year we made a few hundred thousand of these magazines, so that's a whole lot of ammo we go thru. And at 10 or 25 rounds per mag it's a bunch of lead.

Brian Pfleuger · March 9, 2011, 07:55 PM

That comes out to like 5,250 rounds a month! Holy Smokes! That's almost enough to get boring, even just blasting away!

Pahoo · March 9, 2011, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Can anybody tell me if these once used bullets are of good enough quality to use for recasting .38 caliber bullets for my use.

You bet and we mine this stuff about twice a year. However, I don't know the composition. Federal should be able to provide you with that info. Sure worth a try and think you have a great idea there. Nice job at that !! ...

Be Safe !!!

gearchecker · March 9, 2011, 08:04 PM

We have one of the shift supervisors that can fire the 10/22 so fast he can dump the entire 25 round mag in around 2.5-3 seconds. It sounds like a full auto .22. It is amazing when he gets some trigger time on it.
Whenever he's on the 10/22 everybody know and comments that he's out playing again. One of these days I should figure out how to do a short video of him on the trigger.
The part that gets me the most is that the the rifle has worn out 3 barrels in the past 2 years. We also package the Uncle Mike's barrel kits, so getting a replacement barrel is simple to do. We just go to the warehouse and grab a new one.

hk33ka1 · March 9, 2011, 08:08 PM

I would melt them down and re use them. They may be softer then what you need for some types of casting but can still be used, traded or alloyed with something harder. Same with the lead from jacketed rounds, I believe it is almost always a closer to pure/softer variety, but still very usable.

Pahoo · March 9, 2011, 08:09 PM

Quote:

We have one of the shift supervisors that can fire the 10/22 so fast he can dump the entire 25 round mag in around 2.5-3 seconds.

Next time he does this, watch him as it's not all that hard to do. Once in a great while, I do this at the range and always manage to turn some heads. I've also done this with a Mac-90 and that really makes the folks nervous. ...

Be Safe !!!

March 9, 2011, 07:34 PM	#1
gearchecker Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2009 Location: North IDAHO, Big Bear Country Posts: 466	Question about re-using recovered bullets On an average month I can recover roughly 20-30 Lbs of once fired bullets from firearms testing that's done where I work. We only use one specific ammo, and I'm wondering if the recovered lead is okay to use for casting more bullets from it. It's all Federal .22 bullets from the "Federal Champion" bulk box of .22 LR ammo. Can anybody tell me if these once used bullets are of good enough quality to use for recasting .38 caliber bullets for my use. Thanks in advance __________________ When the time comes that I don't want a new gun, Call the undertaker! My firearm is an investment on my life. http://www.takdriver.com http://www.corneredcat.com

March 9, 2011, 07:44 PM	#3
gearchecker Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2009 Location: North IDAHO, Big Bear Country Posts: 466	Thanks to the Uncle Mike's 10 & 25 round banana magazines for the Ruger 10/22 I think I've got a lifetime supply of the lead available. We make them where I work, and we're required to do a 100% full magazine test of 1 from every 100 we build for fit & function. Last year we made a few hundred thousand of these magazines, so that's a whole lot of ammo we go thru. And at 10 or 25 rounds per mag it's a bunch of lead. __________________ When the time comes that I don't want a new gun, Call the undertaker! My firearm is an investment on my life. http://www.takdriver.com http://www.corneredcat.com

March 9, 2011, 07:55 PM	#4
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	That comes out to like 5,250 rounds a month! Holy Smokes! That's almost enough to get boring, even just blasting away! __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

March 9, 2011, 08:04 PM	#6
gearchecker Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2009 Location: North IDAHO, Big Bear Country Posts: 466	We have one of the shift supervisors that can fire the 10/22 so fast he can dump the entire 25 round mag in around 2.5-3 seconds. It sounds like a full auto .22. It is amazing when he gets some trigger time on it. Whenever he's on the 10/22 everybody know and comments that he's out playing again. One of these days I should figure out how to do a short video of him on the trigger. The part that gets me the most is that the the rifle has worn out 3 barrels in the past 2 years. We also package the Uncle Mike's barrel kits, so getting a replacement barrel is simple to do. We just go to the warehouse and grab a new one. __________________ When the time comes that I don't want a new gun, Call the undertaker! My firearm is an investment on my life. http://www.takdriver.com http://www.corneredcat.com

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March 9, 2011, 07:36 PM	#2
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	For what you intend to use them for, I don't see why not. Go for it. If intended for soft muzzle loading round balls, they probably are too hard. Do test some for hard/softness and judge for yourself. Edit: BTW that is good recycling. I wish I had a nice steady source for lead like that.

March 9, 2011, 08:08 PM	#7
hk33ka1 Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2010 Posts: 275	I would melt them down and re use them. They may be softer then what you need for some types of casting but can still be used, traded or alloyed with something harder. Same with the lead from jacketed rounds, I believe it is almost always a closer to pure/softer variety, but still very usable.