bricknell hardness testing for after an EMP any suggestions?

[merlin101]

Thanks for all the input. Like I said I am new to this aspect of the shooting sports, and will be browsing this site for info.

And you'll find lots of it! Welcome aboard.

[Jeff Michel]

Lead isn't worth the trouble or the effort to go and buy a Brinell hardness tester. It's primary use is checking hardness after heat treat in steel or fabing a replacement part, e.g making sure that you don't substitute 1018 for 4140. Lead, you can pick up a Lee hardness tester or a Redding, both a designed for lead alloys. I've had a Redding for years, and haven't used it for about as long. I use my fingernail and as long as I don't cut them to short they work pretty good for verifying my bullet hardness.

[Handloader109]

Well, I've NEVER worried about hardness for my casting. Bought almost all my lead here, and none has given me leading, especially after powder coating. EMP shouldn't really be of any concern. REAL nuclear explosions might be, but really, if it were a large scale attack by the ruskies or the chinese, I'm not worried in the least about a magnetic pulse that won't come.

[reddog81]

If you know the approximate BNH of the lead your buying it will remain fairly constant. If your planning on gathering up lead and starting up casting after an EMP attack you'll have a really steep learning curve.

[MaryB]

Well if your lead stash is big enough you could use it to line a nuke shelter! LOL!!!

Well, I've NEVER worried about hardness for my casting. Bought almost all my lead here, and none has given me leading, especially after powder coating. EMP shouldn't really be of any concern. REAL nuclear explosions might be, but really, if it were a large scale attack by the ruskies or the chinese, I'm not worried in the least about a magnetic pulse that won't come.