Thoughts on 25-1 alloy

[doubledown]

I have 60 pounds of 25-1 that I will be casting into .44 mag 300 grain wfn boolits. They will be gas check tumble lube. Velocity will be 1450 fps. I will start with air cooled first and only water drop if accuracy or leading become a problem. What do you think, being new to casting I am trying a bunch of different alloys to see what gives me what. I want an accurate boolit that expands well. And what is the fastest you would push this alloy with a gas check?

[gray wolf]

25/1 may work and it may not work, it depends on the variables.
Pressure of the load, bullet fit, velocity and so on, The GC will help.
I am sure it has been done.
But I don't think water dropping 25/1 will harden your bullets if the 25 part is pure.
You need Antimony and arsenic to harden the metal----( not sure but I think that is so )

[45 2.1]

I have 60 pounds of 25-1 that I will be casting into .44 mag 300 grain wfn boolits. They will be gas check tumble lube. Velocity will be 1450 fps. Keith used 16:1 at 1200 fps and thought it quite adequate. Your velocity wants will probably be a little too much for the alloy. I will start with air cooled first and only water drop if accuracy or leading become a problem. A 25:1 lead/tin alloy will not heat treat. As stated above, antimony and arsenic are the required components for that to happen. What do you think, being new to casting I am trying a bunch of different alloys to see what gives me what. I want an accurate boolit that expands well. And what is the fastest you would push this alloy with a gas check? The gas check will help. Try about 1100 fps first with that heavy boolit.... it might be all you want.

[sqlbullet]

If you have some WW alloy, you could mix 1:1. This should cut the tin to about ideal for fill out, and give you an alloy that would take a heat treat.

[Larry Gibson]

Concur with 45 2.1. 25-1 is probably to soft for 1400+ fps. I switched to 16-1 alloy for 1300+ fps loads in my 45-70 after researching and finding that Springfield and frankford arsenals extensive testing 130+ years ago proved it to be the best alloy for 1300 - 1400 fps loads. Subsequently I've found it to be the best alloy for the 375 gr MaxiBall in my .50 cal ML at 1575 fps and for the 429244 HP'd in my .44 magnum at 1450 fps. Suggest you add tin to bring it to a 16 -1 alloy. Also as mentioned it will not heat treat as it is antimony (mostly) that makes cast bullets harder when heat treated.

Larry Gibson

[fredj338]

Are you running these in a carbine? Otherwise, I doubt you sniff much more than 1300fps in a handgun. I use 25-1 alloy for LHP to 1200fps w/ little leading. Water dropping won;t have much affect on 25-1 alloy.

[doubledown]

Fred, I'm shooting a 1894 Marlin with a 20" barrel, I chrono'ed 1425fps with 18.8 grains of 296. Not quite max, its the most accurate load in that rifle...so far.

Man, you guys are awesome! I took your advice tonight and did a 50/50 with 25-1 and WW air cooled. I can already tell they are much softer, I will load them up tomarrow night and test them over the weekend.

I also have some Lyman #2 I could use with the 25-1. I am having fun with casting, I reload because I have too, I cast because I enjoy it and I don't even know what I'm doing yet!

[USSR]

I took your advice tonight and did a 50/50 with 25-1 and WW air cooled. I can already tell they are much softer...

They won't be softer, they will be harder. You are adding antimony to the mix.

Don