Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Oxidized lead

  1. #1
    Great Master Mike in tx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    San Antonio, TX
    Posts
    338

    Default Oxidized lead

    Tom I have about 300 45 cal bullets purchased about 13 years ago that are oxidizes. Is there any safe way to melt them down? They do have some lube on them. I read in cast boolits that they can be smelted or tumble them.

    Mike B
    Last edited by Mike in tx; 09-24-2014 at 03:54 PM.

  2. #2
    Dogs Like Him versifier's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Posts
    1,854

    Default

    If they are too oxidized to load and shoot then sure, there is no problem melting and recasting them. The old lube will just float to the top. The biggest issue is yellow lead oxide itself. As you know, it is highly water soluble and quite toxic if ingested. Wash them first to get most of it off and spread them out to dry completely before melting them to avoid a visit from the tinsel fairy. That should get rid of the majority of it, the remainder can just be fluxed and skimmed off the pot with the remnants of the lube and other slag. I use beeswax for flux, it smells much better indoors. Don't breathe the powder and wash your hands thoroughly after handling them as you normally would and you will have no problem. Same with your casting pot as the oxides may cling to the inner walls with dirt and other debris. I take mine outside about once a year on a very windy day and brush it out, more often if I am not so careful smelting. Every spring we find thousands of cast bullets that melt out of the snow banks at our range. I recycle all we find. Same thing, the old lube and GC's float to the top and I just skim them off.
    "Stand your ground.
    Do not fire unless fired upon.
    But if they mean to have a war let it begin here."
    - Capt. Parker, Lexington Militia, April 19, 1775

  3. #3
    Great Master Mike in tx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    San Antonio, TX
    Posts
    338

    Default

    Thank you Tom, Clayton had me intimidated. LOL

  4. #4
    Great Master Mike in tx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    San Antonio, TX
    Posts
    338

    Default

    13 pounds done.

  5. #5
    scat master Clayt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Itchybutt, New Hampsha
    Posts
    239

    Default

    I had you INFORMED!
    ~Clayt

    hunter at large

  6. #6
    Great Master Mike in tx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    San Antonio, TX
    Posts
    338

    Default

    With that avatar, intimidated. LOL

  7. #7
    Dogs Like Him versifier's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Posts
    1,854

    Default

    Bonjour.
    "Stand your ground.
    Do not fire unless fired upon.
    But if they mean to have a war let it begin here."
    - Capt. Parker, Lexington Militia, April 19, 1775

  8. #8
    Great Master j1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    411

    Default

    Bonjour mes amis. Bon chance avec les balles.
    Last edited by j1; 10-26-2014 at 12:48 PM.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check        

Gunloads.com Sponsored Links