Brownells Linotype Bullet Casting Alloy 5Lb Ingot

If you cast your own rifle bullets, the Brownells Linotype Bullet Casting Alloy 5Lb Ingot is a purpose-built hard alloy designed specifically for high-velocity target shooting. This is virgin-metal ingot stock—not recycled scrap—so you know exactly what you're adding to your melt pot. Linotype offers the hardness needed to handle the stress of fast rifle rounds on paper and steel, making it a staple choice for competitive shooters and reloaders who demand consistent, predictable bullet performance downrange.

The composition—84% lead, 4% tin, and 12% antimony—produces a hard alloy with a Brinell hardness of roughly 22. That hardness is the draw here: it resists deformation and gives you bullets that perform reliably at distance and on the range. The trade-off is real, though. This alloy is too hard for hunting or silhouette work; the brittleness that serves target shooting works against you on impact with bone or steel plates, where the bullet tends to shatter rather than deform. If you're after a more versatile hardball-like alloy, blending Linotype 1:1 with pure lead gets you there.

Each ingot weighs approximately 5 pounds, making it easy to manage at your reloading bench. Whether you're a precision rifle shooter loading for competition or someone who casts in volume, starting with clean, known-composition alloy eliminates variables and helps you achieve consistent results cast to cast.

Key Features

• Virgin-metal composition—no scrap, ensuring purity and consistency
• Hard alloy engineered for high-velocity rifle bullets and target shooting
• Approximately 5-pound ingot for convenient handling and batch management
• Brinell hardness of roughly 22 for reliability at distance
• Can be blended 1:1 with pure lead to create hardball-like alloy

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Linotype alloy suitable for hunting or silhouette shooting?

No. Linotype is too hard for hunting or silhouette work. The alloy tends to shatter on impact with bone or steel plates rather than deforming, making it unsuitable for those applications. It's designed specifically for target shooting where consistency and hardness matter more than controlled deformation.

Can I blend Linotype with pure lead?

Yes. A 1:1 blend of Linotype with pure lead produces a hardball-like alloy, which offers a middle ground between the hardness of straight Linotype and the softness of pure lead. This can extend the versatility of your casting stock.

Why is this alloy made from virgin metals instead of scrap?

Virgin metal composition ensures you know exactly what's in your alloy—no unknown contaminants from recycled stock. This consistency helps you achieve repeatable casting results and predictable bullet performance without the variables that come with scrap-based alloys.

What is the weight of each ingot?

Each ingot weighs approximately 5 pounds. Weights are approximate due to the nature of ingot casting.