lead hardness for pistol

[zomby woof]

I’m a new caster, but long time reloader. I’ve been absorbing as much information from this board as possible. I have some questions on which lead to be using for pistol. I’ve been reading that I need a softer alloy for my .45 acp. I’ve improvised a lead hardness tester from an arbor press. Here is my procedure:

Arbor press using .312 ball bearing. The Arbor press arm at 90 degrees extended all the way out. Hold 22 pound weight for 30 seconds on the end of arm. Measure the depression width in lead with calipers.

I’ve been getting the following results. WW leave about a .157” depression with some of my softer alloy leaving a .230” depression. I tested some commercial lead boolits that I’ve shot before with excellent results.

Carroll .45 200 grain left a .140” depression
Gun show 9mm 147 grain left a .180” depression.

It seems these boolits are quite hard, close to WW hard. I cast some with my softer alloy but have not had time to load any. I know the proof is in the shooting. I was thinking of trying a 2/1 alloy of WW and soft for my next batch.

Am I making any wrong assumptions? Does anyone have any recommendations or advice? Thanks.

[Shiloh]

I have been shooting range scrap and other high purity lead in a 1911. It is soft. Water dropping hardens it a little but it is still somewhat soft. There have been no issues at all up to about 850 fps, as fast as I have gone.

Shiloh

[fredj338]

I have good accuracy & little to no leading using clip on ww mixed 50/50 w/ pure lead for vel. to 900fps. That works perfectly in anything I shoot from a 45acp.

[MT Gianni]

Always shoot some of what you have first to establish a base line. WW do OK for me.

[SciFiJim]

I use a mix of 50/50 WWs to pure for my .45 and my .357. I air cool the boolits for the .45 and water drop for the .357 with great success.

[jar-wv]

I have bunch of recovered lead shot I use in 45 acp & 38. Is softer than WW but harder than pure. Works great with no leading.

jar