OT-Is there any value in spent jacketed bullets?

Jason_W · Post by **Jason_W** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:39 am

My local range is a trash covered stuff-heap. After a snowy winter, the grounds are covered not only with garbage, but with spent bullets (mostly jacketed that failed to penetrate the snow pack and lodge in the ground.

With the price of copper being what it is, can these be recycled?

Post by **Hobie** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:47 am

the lead is recyclable...

Jason_W · Post by **Jason_W** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:51 am

Hobie wrote:the lead is recyclable...

How do you separate the lead from the jackets?

Do differences in harness make any difference?

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:05 pm

Not really. The cores are usually swaged so they are relatively pure. Dump 'em all in a pot and heat it up to 650. the lead will melt and the copper will float. skim off the copper and pour your lead into ingots. You can always adjust the BHN later.

Noah Zark · Post by **Noah Zark** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:16 pm

If you hit the right temperature, the lead will melt and the copper jackets won't. The pieces of jacket will float and can be picked/skimmed off.

BE CAREFUL, and leave the recovered bullets out in the sun, or bake them in an oven to completely dry out. If any of them have water trapped between the jacket and the core, you might get a steam explosion with molten lead flying all over.

Noah

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:32 am

Have done it all my shooting life,
BUT
LISTEN to what Noah Zark said!!!!!!!!!
Hot lead flying around the homestead is a definite downer, and will ruin a fun time!

brucew44guns · Post by **brucew44guns** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 6:39 am

Having that water in the mix is like loading an asphalt tanker with 500 degree oil, to discover there was a gallon or 2 of water in the bottom of the tank compartment. It's enough to unload all the oil up through the open dome lid when it turns to steam.