1 to 40 Bullet Alloy – 2 lb Ingots
97.5% Lead | 2.5% Tin | Approx. 7–8 BHN
Rock Shot Products 1 to 40 Bullet Alloy is a traditional lead-tin casting alloy consisting of 97.5% lead and 2.5% tin. This alloy is also commonly referred to as a 40:1 lead-to-tin alloy.
With an estimated hardness of approximately 7–8 BHN, this relatively soft lead-tin alloy provides excellent castability while retaining the characteristics sought by black powder cartridge and traditional bullet casters.
Our 1 to 40 Bullet Alloy is supplied in convenient approximately 2 lb ingots, making it easy to handle, portion, melt, and incorporate into your casting operation.
Sold as individual approximately 2 lb ingots with a minimum purchase of 5 ingots (approximately 10 lb total).
Alloy Composition
Lead (Pb): 97.5%
Tin (Sn): 2.5%
Lead-to-Tin Ratio: 40:1 (commonly called 1 to 40)
Estimated Hardness: Approximately 7–8 BHN*
Ingot Details
Approximate Weight Per Ingot: 2 lb ± 0.25 lb
Minimum Purchase: 5 ingots (approximately 10 lb total)
Approximate Size Per Ingot: 2.5" × 2.5" × 1"
Form: Cast Ingot
Primary Use: Traditional bullet casting and black powder cartridge applications
Individual ingot weights and dimensions may vary slightly due to the casting process.
Traditional 1 to 40 Lead-Tin Casting Alloy
The 1 to 40 lead-tin alloy, also commonly written as 40:1, has a long history of use among traditional bullet casters and black powder cartridge shooters.
The high lead content keeps the alloy relatively soft, while the addition of 2.5% tin improves casting characteristics and mold fill-out compared with pure lead.
Common uses include:
• Black powder cartridge bullet casting
• Traditional rifle bullet casting
• Cowboy Action shooting applications
• Historical and reproduction firearm applications
• Custom lead-tin alloy blending
• General casting applications requiring a relatively soft lead-tin alloy
Excellent Castability
Tin is commonly added to lead casting alloys to improve casting characteristics and mold fill-out.
At 2.5% tin, this 1 to 40 alloy maintains the relatively soft characteristics of a predominantly lead alloy while providing improved casting behavior for producing clean, well-defined cast bullets.
Convenient 2 lb Ingot Size
Although the minimum purchase is 5 ingots, each individual ingot weighs approximately 2 lb. The smaller ingot format makes the alloy easier to handle, weigh, portion, and melt.
Instead of working with one large block of alloy, casters can use individual ingots as needed and more easily manage the amount of alloy going into each melt.
Minimum Purchase
This product has a minimum purchase of 5 ingots, representing approximately 10 lb of 1 to 40 Bullet Alloy.
The smaller individual ingot size provides convenient handling and portioning while the 5-ingot minimum allows Rock Shot Products to offer this alloy at competitive direct pricing.
Important Alloy Information
Actual hardness and finished casting properties can vary based on alloy composition, cooling rate, casting conditions, heat treatment, and other processing variables.
The approximately 7–8 BHN range is an estimated hardness for this nominal alloy composition and should not be interpreted as a certified hardness measurement for every ingot or finished casting.
Traditional 1 to 40 Lead-Tin Alloy. Soft, castable, and convenient 2 lb ingots. Built for traditional bullet casters.
