311291, 12.5 BHN; is this hard enough?

[Crosbyman]

I have been casting pistol bullets with success for the last 3 years, and want to try rifle. The alloy I have been using is 12.5 BHN. Should I harden this up or will it be OK to shoot without excessive leading?

[Larry Gibson]

That alloy (what is it?) can be just fine for many rifle loads. Leading is usually not a function of the BHN but of fit and the lube used with most cast bullet loads. Be more helpful if we knew what cartridge(s) you want to use it in, what powders and what velocity level you are looking for?

Larry Gibson

[Pb2au]

^ What Larry said....+1

[cbrick]

What Larry said....+2.

Not nearly enough info to even make a poor guess.

IF the boolit fits 12 BHN is fine for many rifle loads. All I use in all of my rifles is CWW +2% Sn to 2000 fps @ 12 BHN. Key words there are . . . IF the boolit fits.

Rick

[tomme boy]

Larry is right on like normal. Too hard can give you leading sometimes also.

[MtGun44]

Fit, design and lube are far more critical than hardness.

As usual, Larry is right.

Bill

[GP100man]

More info would help , but ya can also shoot it until accuracy drops off , that`s a sure sign of overspeeding the alloys ability to grab the rifling .
If this is the method used be prepared to clean a little lead from the bore.
I`ve approched 1700 fps in MY Rem 700 with no leading with 12bhn alloy(isotope with a bit of tin) but it`ll swallow a .310" boolit with no problems chambering.

& slugging the bore gives alot of info as where to start!

Fit is KING
hardness is QUEEN
Lube is the JOKER

[Le Loup Solitaire]

I have used 311291 cast out of ordinary wheelweights that are around 9 on the scale, in 06 and 30-30. Light to moderate loads/velocities and no problem with leading. Lube is the old NRA 50/50 beeswax-alloy. So BHN of 12.5 should work fine and even at higher MV to some extent. LLS