Lead type

[holsterguy]

I'm getting ready to alloy some lead, and wanted your opinions first.
I'll be using this for low velocity loads (45, 45colt, 44-40, 38-40, and 30-30).
Trying to decide if I should use 20-1 or 50/50 ww, soft. Would there be any plusses or negatives to either one? I don't plan on water dropping, or heat treating. Plan on lubing everything with Lars carnuba blue.

[richhodg66]

The 50/50 will work fine for everything. Might want it harder in .30-30 if you want to shoot faster than 1400 FPS or so.

[duckndawg]

Ive been running 50/50 WW and soft for my cowboy boolits for 10 years now with no issues.

[runfiverun]

go with the cheaper alternative.
if you got antimony you got choices and can manipulate the BHN..
if you go with tin you just add more $ to the pot.

[holsterguy]

This is true R5R. Was going to get a roll of lead free solder at Menards yesterday, and its up to $21 a pound! = $21 for 20-1, 50/50- free.
IIRC they are both right around bh of 10, right?
I would think that'd be more than hard enough for killing cans and paper plates.

[Kraschenbirn]

For 'cans and paper plates' in those handgun calibers, you can probably go 2-to-1, Pb to COWW, without any issues. I've been loading 2-to-1, range scrap (Bhn 8 +/-) to COWW for years in .32-20, .38 Spl, .44 Spl, and .45 ACP up to 1000-1100 fps without any significant leading. 20-1 will work as well but, as you've noted, can get expensive if you've got to buy your tin at retail. Keep an eye on the 'Swap & Sell' page here and you'll often find members selling tin/pewter for a lot less than you'll pay for commercial solder...even it you do have to pay shipping.

Bill

[gwpercle]

I like the 50 / 50 blend , no water dropping , heat treating or coatings. Just air cooled and lube/sized . Works just fine on handguns . 30-30 , 357 magnum and hotter 9 mm will get a gas check.
This alloy works better for me than straight COWW's.
Gary

[runfiverun]

20$ a pound is bad enough.
adding it to 100 lbs of alloy is a lot easier to swallow.
than needing 5 lbs of it to get near the same thing.

now granted you do not need 20-1 for many of those calibers.
[all but the 30-30 IMO] and could get by on 30 or even 40-1
but you can also get by on range scrap and a titch of tin or range scrap and ww's.
or range scrap ww's and soft lead.
they generally cast a bit better with 1% tin or so but your still talking 100+lbs of alloy to that pound of tin versus 30-40 lbs.