Sound of lead

kxkid · October 29, 2016, 10:46 AM

What does a ting sound mean about my ingot when dropped on the concrete. I remember watching something on it but can't remember

dahermit · October 29, 2016, 12:59 PM

A "ting" sound indicates that the alloy likely contains Antimony and Tin, both of which are desirable for casting any bullet other than muzzleloading bullets. If it was pure Lead, it would just go, "thud" (no ringing sound), if dropped on a concrete floor.

kxkid · October 29, 2016, 02:13 PM

Thank you

Chainsaw. · October 30, 2016, 11:29 PM

Its speaking to you, translated its saying something to the effect of "buy a hardness tester"

chris in va · October 31, 2016, 12:01 AM

It's the 'thud' sound you don't want to hear.

kxkid · October 31, 2016, 02:45 AM

I am too cheap to buy one.

Chainsaw. · October 31, 2016, 07:51 AM

Alot of the,old timers got pretty good with the thumbnail test and swear by it. My amigo Bud who has,been casting since before dirt was invented swears by it.

454PB · November 1, 2016, 10:52 AM

I cast over 100,000 bullets before I owned a hardness tester. They are not required, but very informative.

dahermit · November 1, 2016, 01:20 PM

Quote:

It's the 'thud' sound you don't want to hear.

Not necessarly true. If you shoot muzzleloaders, you want "pure" lead. Or, if you get the pure lead at a bargain price and have harder lead or sources of tin and antimony (already blended), then you can make your lead casting supply last longer. In the years since I have been casting (early sixties), I have never found a supply of lead that was not usable for casting some type (muzzleloader, handgun, rifle), of bullet, all the way from pure lead to the various type metals.

October 29, 2016, 10:46 AM	#1
kxkid Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2011 Posts: 207	Sound of lead What does a ting sound mean about my ingot when dropped on the concrete. I remember watching something on it but can't remember

October 29, 2016, 12:59 PM	#2
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	A "ting" sound indicates that the alloy likely contains Antimony and Tin, both of which are desirable for casting any bullet other than muzzleloading bullets. If it was pure Lead, it would just go, "thud" (no ringing sound), if dropped on a concrete floor. Last edited by dahermit; October 30, 2016 at 03:10 PM.

October 29, 2016, 02:13 PM	#3
kxkid Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2011 Posts: 207	Thank you

October 30, 2016, 11:29 PM	#4
Chainsaw. Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2015 Location: Issaquah WA. Its a dry rain. Posts: 1,774	Its speaking to you, translated its saying something to the effect of "buy a hardness tester"

October 31, 2016, 12:01 AM	#5
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	It's the 'thud' sound you don't want to hear.

October 31, 2016, 02:45 AM	#6
kxkid Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2011 Posts: 207	I am too cheap to buy one.

October 31, 2016, 07:51 AM	#7
Chainsaw. Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2015 Location: Issaquah WA. Its a dry rain. Posts: 1,774	Alot of the,old timers got pretty good with the thumbnail test and swear by it. My amigo Bud who has,been casting since before dirt was invented swears by it.

November 1, 2016, 10:52 AM	#8
454PB Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Location: Helena, Mt. Posts: 122	I cast over 100,000 bullets before I owned a hardness tester. They are not required, but very informative.