dumb question but i outta ask

[tdoyka]

in the 1870-1880's, was a plain lead bullet used? or was it an alloy?

i'm really thinking about a 38-55 in my encore and a boolit from that time frame would be something i would use(deer/black bear and informal targets).

[Greg S]

I'm not positive, but I believe they were all tin-lead alloys, 20-1 ect.

[country gent]

Most were a bi ,etal alloy of tin and lead but some were pure also. For my bpcr rifles with Black powder ( 1200 fps) i use mostly 20-1 lead tin. Depending on what you want to do and how you might want a harder alloy. I have read of old rifles with alloies from 30-1 to 10-1. WHat would be interesting in that encore would be using Paper Patched bullets, then pure lead could be used as the bullets never touch the barrel, or shouldnt.

[fryboy]

In essence the harder you push them the more demanding the alloy ( and lube but eh ) if you load to ( or with ) black powder type loads you can run some pretty soft alloy ( providing they're properly sized of course )

[Wayne Smith]

Remington used 20-1, Sharps used 16-1. Both seemed to work OK. Not a stupid question at all.

[runfiverun]

some of the paper patched rounds were plain ol lead or 40-1 [the 40-1 was also used in many pistol/rifle combo rounds]

[tdoyka]

thanks a whole bunch!!!

[Half Dog]

Well...I'll say it for some, lol.

I don't remember.