pure lead or alloy

[milcol]

I have a question on lead is it ok to use 1:20 cast boolit in parker hale musketoon or does it have to be pure lead, will a little harder cause leading.

[Outpost75]

1:20 is unnecessarily hard. I use 1:40 for all of my BP guns, both muzzleloading and cartridge. Much better fillout than pure lead, but as long as you don't exceed 1:40 alloy will not be "too hard". 1:75 or 1:80 makes a great improvement in casting with almost no measurable increase in hardness.

[NoZombies]

I've used a lot of 1-50 or thereabouts (2% tin) it's only slightly harder, but a fair bit tougher, and it fills out better.

[newrib]

My experience with the Parker-Hale musketoon (and really with any other musket) has been, when using light charges of Goex FFF say 45 grains or less pure lead seems to give me the best accuracy. When shooting service type loads (68 grains of FFF, i think) you should be fine at no harder than 40 to 1, however pure lead seems to work very well with those loads also. YMMV

[59sharps]

Pure lead only.

[stubshaft]

+1 - Pure lead. For smoothbore balls wheelweights or scrap is what I use.

[D Crockett]

I have a 50 cal bp and a 58 cal bp I use only soft lead in both I tried coww one time I like to of never got that ball seated never again will I do that D Crockett

[59sharps]

Same here w smoothbore. scrape wheel weight just mix it so they come out the same weight.

[bangerjim]

Remember.............COWW's are normally around 12........a far cry from pure Pb.

SOWW's are most times almost pure.

[stubshaft]

Remember.............COWW's are normally around 12........a far cry from pure Pb.

SOWW's are most times almost pure.

For my smoothbores I am not interested in obturation and have shot balls in excess of 18 BHN with great accuracy. I do not really care if they expand when hunting either as a .672" ball puts a .672" hole in the Hogs and goats that I normally shoot. More times than not they move about 6" - 9" straight down! Gravity in action...