How Much Linotype?

[ColColt]

Quick, simple question. If it's been asked before just direct me as I couldn't find anything. How much Linotype should I add to a mix of lead to give me an approximate BHN 11 or 12? I have lead, I have Linotype and I have a 50/50 mix but want a softer bullet than Linotype or 50/50 will yield.

[bumpo628]

Here are some recipes that might work for you:

2 lb Linotype
8 lbs pure lead
= 10 lbs of alloy with 0.80% Tin, 2.4% Antimony, hardness @ 11

2 lb Linotype
5 lbs pure lead
= 7 lbs of alloy with 1.14% Tin, 3.43% Antimony, hardness @ 12

You might want to use up that 50/50 lino/lead mix and leave your pure linotype alone for later. What you have there actually has exactly the same specs as Hardball alloy. It has 2% Tin, 6% Antimony, hardness = 15.

You can make the two recipes above like this:

4 lb Hardball
6 lbs pure lead
= 10 lbs of alloy with 0.80% Tin, 2.4% Antimony, hardness @ 11

4 lbs Hardball
3 lbs pure lead
= 7 lbs alloy with 1.14% Tin, 3.43% Antimony, hardness @ 12

[ColColt]

Very good-thanks.

[Swindler1]

Swindler1
Boolit Bub


Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Springfield Ohio
Posts: 27 Just this week I tested Linotype cast with WW and or Pb.
Cast temp....725
Mold.............Lee 358-158-RF
Hardness tester Lee
Air cooled

WW................................ BHN/9...........162gr
WW-1.......LINO-1........... BHN16.6.......157gr
WW-2.......LINO-1............BHN15.4.......159gr
WW-3.......LINO-1............BHN13.4.......160gr
WW-1.......LINO-2............BHN17.9.......155gr
Pb--1........LINO-1............BHN14.3.......158gr
Pb--1........LINO-3............BHN17.4.......157gr
LINO

[white eagle]

I thought hardball was 16 bhn
#2 is 15 bhn
oh well

[ColColt]

I thought hardball was 16 bhn
#2 is 15 bhn
oh well

That could be. I used the Lee Hardness tester to check the mix for BHN11 using hardball and lead above and it turned out to be .064 on the scale which is BHN12.5

[bumpo628]

According to Midway and LASC, hardball is actually 16.
I can't remember where I got the 15 number.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=570058
http://lasc.us/CastBulletNotes.htm

[ColColt]

bump-Maybe that old 50/50 I have just got age hardened over the years-after all, lots of it is 30 years old. Could be also I had a bit more LT than lead in some of the ingots. It's been too long and I can't recall. At any rate, no biggie.

[ColColt]

Just a bit more info- According to a Lyman cast bullet guide I got with a new mold from them, they indicate Lyman #2 as BHN 15 but also list 1:1 lead Linotype as BHN 15 as well. Rotometals call their Hardball alloy BHN 16(or about) and it has the same content as 1:1 lead to Linotype...92% lead, 2% tin and 6% antimony.

[lwknight]

The 2-6-92 generally casts at about 15-16 bnh depending on the mold temperatures and size of the boolit.