range lead

[freudshat]

I was at an unregulated range today an started thinking of collecting lead and smelting it into ingots for sale. I know how but was wondering if it was worth my time. How much would you pay per pound for cleaned lead bars?

[bohoki]

about a buck a pound delivered

[Whiterabbit]

at a buck a pound shipped it will sell FAST. above a buck a pound, maybe, maybe not. If you want to price above a buck a pound, best to sell it on ebay where you can undercut the high prices by a penny or too and reap the sales. Noone here will feel like you are doing them a favor at 1.05 a lb plus shipping on top. $1 a pound delivered and everyone will probably be your friend.

This assumes clean reliable lead.

[freudshat]

Thanks for the input. I think I'll try it out for personal use, and if it works I'll try to sell some.

[paintedrat]

I was just pricing fleabay a few hours ago for lead. Best prices for 25ish pounds of ingot, it was coming out to around $1.20 - $1.30/lb delivered. 50+ pounds looked around $1.10/lb. Take off 10% for eBay, 2.9% + $0.30 for Paypal, $12.35 for a medium flat rate box, you are getting $35.26 for 50lbs, or $.71/lb. Locally, I'm seeing $0.65+/lb for scrap lead on Craigslist, or $1-2/lb ingot, but you have to determine pure lead or alloy..

All thing considered, Craigslist/local sales could get you the most per pound if you can stand the Craigslist hassle. Forums can probably move the greatest volume with less hassle. I wouldn't settle for the eBay profit margins unless you have already met demand on the first two outlets.

[Germz]

This reminds me of the first time I fluxed lead with paraffin wax and had no idea it would flame up. too bad safety goggles dont guard eyebrows...

if you want lots of lead, head down to your local pier/marina/dock or dive shop. I've had luck there since wheel weights have long been extinct.

[Mtn folk]

I can buy lead at a scrap yard for a buck a pound. At least I could a few months back. I just exchange my beer cans for lead.

[Revoman]

^^^^

Drinking while reloading?!?!?!?

[deac777]

A local guy is selling 100 Pound buckets of unprocessed range lead for $80. He says that it processes down to 80 pounds, so it turns out to about $1 a pound, but the buyer needs to do the processing.

I'd suggest that you wear a breathing respirator when you are mining/collecting lead from shooting backstops, as any dust and dirt that you may breath in will have trace amounts of lead.