comparing similarities of alloys

[hiram]

My Lee 500 3r cast bullets in the 496-498 range with lead:tin 20:1 alloy.

I read that one of the best alloys for 45-70 is 20# of range lead and 1# of linotype. I gave it a try. It casts well. The bullet weights are in the 496-498 range like ld:tin 20:1.

Is weight of bullet a good indicator that lead:tin 20:1 is equivalent or extremely close to range lead:lino 20:1? Practically interchangeable?

Can weights be the same and alloys have different BHN?

I do not have a BHN testor.

[DOUBLEJK]

alloys can weigh close but hardness be way different as lead tin alloys have no antimony....add it and hardness goes up...yer lino range lead mix will probably be harder than your tin lead one....
depending on yer range and whats shot lots the range lead could be real hard er dead soft....

[WBH]

hiram, what 45/70 are you shooting. I have been using a 20:1 (pure lead:tin) mix for my Sharps and RB's. I am shooting BP only in these rifles though. I did try 5744once and was very disappointed with the results. The "soft" alloy can be a blessing in some guns and a curse in others. Is your rifling new or old and worn? Is it "overbore"?

[hiram]

I am shooting a rem rolling block #2. douglas premium barrel (28") that slugs to .457. I have never used smokeless in the rifle. I am starting to experiment with pyrodex select. My current load is 60.3 gr goex 2f, milk container wad, taper crimp.

[WBH]

hiram, I am using lightly compressed Swiss 1 1/2 under a .060 Walters veggie wad topped by a Lyman 457132, Lee 457405-F, or a RCBS 45-500 BPS in .458.
Either CCI 200 or Federal 215 primers.

My favorite out to 200 yards is the Lee 405 ( I must have been lucky...the mould drops a great boolit).

Longe range is best accomplished with the Postell Lyman 457132 at about 535 grains.

All my boolits are cast from 21:1 using pure scap lead and 50/50 solder for the tin.

For example I use 10# of pure lead and 1 roll (#) of 50/50 solder. So the final pot really has 10.5# lead and .5# tin. Close enough to 20:1 for me.

OH, BTW... the lube is my own brand currently being test marketed throughout the country.

[hiram]

I have the lee 457 hollow base but haven't tried it seriously yet. Its the same profile as the lee 500 3r with a small meplat. This friday I will be shooting 200 and 300 yds for the first time. I am using emmert's lube with some lanolin I added.

[WBH]

Where are you shooting 300 yds....Calverton?

[hiram]

I belong to Richmon Boro Gun Club in Staten Island. Two members here also belong to Central Jersey Gun Club. They have ranges to 300 yds. I haven't shot in Long Island for a long time.

[WBH]

When I was in college at Hofstra(a hundred years ago) I used to hunt and shoot at Calverton. And believe it or not, at Pilgrim State Mental Hospital grounds for rabbits. I used to live on the so shore until I move to Ohio 10 years ago. Now my range has a 1000 yards.

[John Boy]

Hiram: An hour and a half further down the Garden State Parkway in Millville, is the Cumberland Riflemen Range. We have a 600yd range with a pit and 20 risers. Also is bermed at 200 through 600yds.

The next Black Powder Match is 29 October at 8:00A, 200-300-500. If you are interested, send me a mail

[hiram]

WBH--
1000 yd range--that alone is enough reason not to caome back to NY.

Hiram