Soft lead?

[fiatmom]

I know I have asked similar questions but I am still unsure about the answer.
If the bullet is properly sized to the bore (1-2 thousandths over groove) is soft lead 30-1,20-1 necessary? or can I use Lyman or similar alloy. I have 500 pounds of this.:castmine:

[Don McDowell]

You can use the Lyman alloy. Some bullets actually do better with the harder alloy.

[Lead pot]

You can always use the Lyman alloy and mix it with lead. I have a bunch of #2 lyman and I mix it 50/50 or 75/25 with pure lead depending on the bullet. But #2 will work just fine.

[GuzziRider]

Give it a go and see if it works. Then adjust as needed. I know a fella that shoots nothing but wheel weights and has won many a match in all kinds of BPCR events.

[357shooter]

It depends on the rifling in whatever gun you are shooting.

I get the best results in 357 mag with 50/1, sized .003 over groove.

That includes light loads, and magnum loads too. Bullet design matters too. SWC's seem to all work, 158 grains and heavier. Lighter bullets don't lead, but also aren't as accurate.

Don't know if this holds true for your caliber or not. I don't have a 44 mag, but speculate that full-house heavy bullets for it need something like 16/1 (I think that's what Elmer used, but may be wrong).

[montana_charlie]

Dan Theodore worked himself into an alloy that he recommends for bullets with slender noses, like the Money bullet. He calls it his three-seven alloy because it is 3 parts Lyman #2 and 7 parts pure lead.
He describes it's makeup as 97/1.5/1.5 with a hardness of 8.2 BHN when cast. After 18 hours, it stabilizes at 9.8 BHN.

CM