I finally got my big chunk of lead melted into ingots.I was told that it was bearing lead or babbitt. I poured some bullets with it yesterday to see how it would work.After the bullets cooled they were so shiny that they looked almost as if they were chrome plated.I then weighed them and on the average they weighted 2 grs. more than straight wheel weights.I was told that babbitt had a high tin content.Could this be the reason that the bullets were so shiney.Is tin heaver than wheel weight alloy.Also this alloy appeared to be softer than straight wheel weights.I do not have a bnh tester but was softer by scratching with a knife point.I poured both the wheel wt bullets and the other bullets yesterday.Sorry for the story but I want your fellows opinions on what you think this alloy is and if ai should just add to my wheel wt mix. thanks wirenut

That bright silver color is due to the high tin content in babbitt. I use it the same as tin when alloying my wheelweights. That is a much better use for babbitt. The tin will help fill out the details in your mould by weakening the surface tension in lead. No, tin is not heavier than lead and the 2 grains difference is normal as mould manufacturers specifications are based on the alloy that they use. Casters can expect slight variations from the specs since their alloy may not be exactly the same.

Acording to my Lyman #1 cast bullet manual babbitis 83% tin 11% antimony and 6% copper If it is lead babbit it has the tin replaced with lead.

Will

There are many different formulations for babbitt, but I agree with Marshal. It sounds like you have a high tin babbitt. Valuable stuff, and too valuable to use straight.