Heat treating questions.

[mellonhead]

I know 450 degrees seems to be the standard for heat treating. What I am wondering is if you can control the hardness you get after heat treating by the temp of your oven. For example if I set my oven to 300 degrees can I expect a softer bullet than if I have it set at 450 degrees? Thanks.

Toby

[felix]

300 degrees is the minimum for molecular movement, and takes forever for the molecules to neutralize (demagnetize, if you're into hifi) all the way through the boolit. Slow cool for soft; fast cool for hard. Might as well go all the way to 450 to speed up the demag process. Larger the swing, the more is the effect. ... felix

[mellonhead]

I am not looking for max hardness. So what if I heated to 450 degrees then quenced in warm or hot water would that make less hardness?

Toby

[40Super]

I belive that it does go with the temp used, aka 400F = 18bhn ,, 425F=21bhn, 450= 25bhn ect.. You leave them in the oven at the desired temp for one hour then quench them in cool water, for consistancy you use the same temp water, same oven temp, for the same time,ect..
This info was on a page referenced here somewhere.