I've been thinking about getting into bullet casting recently. It seems many bullet casters melt down lead wheel weights for use in casting, so I went by a local automobile salvage yard a few weeks ago to ask if they sell lead wheel weights, but they didn't. That salvage yard was the only one that I'm aware of within an hour drive. I'm trying to find other places that sell lead. Where do you get your lead?

Assuming your state still uses lead wheel weights, I'd try the tire change places for old wheel weight...

Our local tire stores recycle their weights and will not part with them.

Hit every salvage yard, tire shop and auto repair shop, sailboat keels, or a facility that does tires on big trucks would be a plus. Don"t expect to get them for nothing, good luck.

We are all out of lead around here. The salvage shops are dried up. It may be awhile before things slow down.

Some plumber supply houses still carry it.

if you go to the Cast Boolit Forums you will find a lady on their in the vendor classifides that goes by the name of "The Captain".

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?127-The-Captain

She sells smelted clip on (no zinc)wheel weights in ingots in 50#+ quantities for around $60 shipped. I've ordered from her numerous times & it's quality stuff, super clean, & always over the promised 50#.

If you are just getting into casting you will find that forum an invaluable resource.

The local gun range is a good source. Range scrap is a bit messy so l melt it first in an old gas cooker and pour the lead into a cast iron muffin pan for ingots. These go into my Lyman pot for bullet casting. A lot of satisfaction in shooting your own bullets

The local tire shop has some for sale. Thanks for recommending tire shops. I probably wouldn't have thought to look there otherwise.

Only one tire shop around me sells WW's, I'm using magnum lead shot I use for reloading shotgun shells. Just mix in a couple inches of solder per pound and cast away!

I get lead ingots at my local plumber's supply store. Of course, it's 100% lead.

There is a lady over on the Cast bullit forum who smelts WWs and sells the ingots of this at a very reasonably price too. I think I paid a little over $100 for 100 lbs shipped? Good luck finking this cheaper.
Steve

I assume you are referring to "the Captain"? She is my go-to source as well. Wheel weight lead that's ready to pour when I receive it for around a buck a pound shipped is tough to beat!

I was checking out "the Captain" earlier. I don't doubt she'd be a reliable source, but I'd rather get whatever I can locally. Might have to send her a message if lead around here becomes hard to find, though.

lead flashing if you know anyone that remodels old buildings.

I don't know anything about casting, but I like learning new things. What is the solder mixed in for? Why can't you use 100% lead?

Thanks!

The tin hardens them up.

I'm going into town in the morning to see if I can find some linotype. Good thing my cousin works at the county newspaper.