Seeking good alloy for 38spl.

[Petrol & Powder]

I've got a supply of Lyman #2 and some pure lead. I'm looking for a good alloy to cast 158gr SWC for low velocity 38 Special rounds. (<850 fps) I'm thinking about a 1:1 mix of Lyman#2 to pure lead? Should I add even more pure lead?
I'm thinking that softer is better for this application.
Anyone have suggestions.

[Jal5]

I have been using just range scrap AC not water dropped for my 38s and that is pretty soft from our range. Works fine for my plinking. Joe

[runfiverun]

2 parts soft to 1 part 5/5 should be good nuff for the 38.
depending on how much of what you have thats where i'd go.
if you have equal amounts 50-50 would moake a good all around alloy.
the more soft you add the smaller the boolits will be, i'd adjust for diameter and let the mix fall where it goes.

[John in WI]

I also use mostly soft range scrap (mostly jacketed) for my 158 SWC .38's. So far, my Smith seems to do well with every alloy I've tried to run through it and I've only experienced leading with dead soft pushed at top speeds.

So I usually use range scrap with a bit of solder in it to help the fillout. It's seems that the .38 is a pretty non-critical load.

If you're going to use Lyman #2 and dead soft, 1:1 would give you something like 2.5% tin and 2.5% antimony. I'd guess that would work great for the purpose, and you're right, you could probably water the Lyman #2 down a little further and not experience problems.

[1Shirt]

Range scrap usually runs between 9-12 BH, with some once in awhile running a bit higher per my Cabin Tree. Works fine air cooled or water dropped for wc's (I water drop every thing because I find it convenient). Water dropped most of the range scrap would probably run about 15 BH. In all reality, 15 is probably good with handgun or rifle up to 15-16 BH with proper sizing and an appropriate lube. Add a little tin!
1Shirt!

[btroj]

Based upon what you have I would go with wha Run suggested. Will work fine for more than just 38 special too, that should cover the majority of handgun shooting.

[fryboy]

the 38 isnt known for being very demanding in alloy requirements , some of my best results yet have been with what would be termed soft alloy , in fact i feel even air cooled ww's are too hard for it , as 5r5 stated 50/50 #2/Pb would be a good all around alloy exceeding even the 38's requirements , while he also stated 2 pounds lead to 1 pound #2 i'd wager you could use 3 to 1 with satisfactory results , one has to keep in mind that some companies ( such as speer ) sell soft swaged boolits for the 38 and they work great !!

[Petrol & Powder]

All good info, thanks!
Who knew that adding pure lead could make the bullets cast smaller? I think I try for something in the range of 2 parts lead to 1 part Lyman #2 and see if that suits.

[runfiverun]

quite often i end up with a batch of alloy suited to a certain mold.
i'll mess with a little more lino,or a little more soft untill i get the diameter [of the nose for a rifle mold] where i want it ill then cast that batch up for that particular mold [gun].
yes i end up with @ a 5 gallon bucket of boolits sometimes. [with o big ole note in the book outlining the approximate alloy make-up]
othertimes the batch will only be 20 or 30 lbs.

[Jon]

I use range scrap for 38spl for my wife's Ladysmith. So far, no issues. I suspect you could use almost pure lead and be fine with low velocity ammo. That round has been around a long time.

[Houndog]

I use 50/50 pure to ww, add 1% lead free solder to aid fillout and air cool for 38. NEVER any problem with leading. I think you could get by with 3 parts pure to 1 part #2 easily.

[DLCTEX]

I use 50/50 WW/pure for 38 and 45 ACP and run hot enough to frost lightly so there is no need to add tin for fillout with most moulds.

[Petrol & Powder]

WW's have pretty much dried up around here. I sometimes find sources of close to pure lead but it is all becoming a challenge to find. I like the idea of 2:1 or 3:1 for 38 special but it seems that Lyman #2 and "hardball" (3/3/92%) is actually easier to buy. Any suggestions for sources?

[Houndog]

Try Swappin and sellin right here. It's generally priced at about $1.00 per pound.

[geargnasher]

Something between (but NOT) linotype or pure lead.

Gear

[williamwaco]

I have measured several brands of .38 special commercial wad cutters at 5.5 to 6 BNH

I Have never used an alloy that soft for casting ( That is barely an alloy. It is almost pure. )

I will add my vote for your 50/50 mix of pure/#2.

That said, I expect 75/25 would work fine too.

( We ARE talking about 850 fps here. )

.

[Petrol & Powder]

I loaded some that were cast from 2 parts lead and 1 part #2. They shot OK, had a little leading right at the forcing cone but nothing extreme. I'm going shoot those up and cast the next lot at 50%/50%. I'd like to land on a consistent alloy and I think 50/50 may be where I'm heading. Plus that will free up some pure lead for my cap & ball .36cal. :drinks:
Thanks for all of the input and shared knowledge.

[williamwaco]

I loaded some that were cast from 2 parts lead and 1 part #2. They shot OK, had a little leading right at the forcing cone but nothing extreme. I'm going shoot those up and cast the next lot at 50%/50%. I'd like to land on a consistent alloy and I think 50/50 may be where I'm heading. Plus that will free up some pure lead for my cap & ball .36cal. :drinks:
Thanks for all of the input and shared knowledge.

That is an excellent idea.

I use one alloy for all handgun bullets and one ( different ) alloy for rifles.
Sure makes life easier.
I spend more time shooting and less time testing.

[Defcon-One]

I also use two alloys, one for Rifle (Lyman #2!) and one for pistols, which is 2% Tin, 3% Antimony and 95% Lead.

I occasionally use Large Iso Core lead for pistols, as well, which is 1% Tin 3% Antimony and 96% lead. It works great! I'd save my Lyman #2 for Rifle bullets and use the Pure Lead for muzzle loader/cap & ball and get some COWW lead for the 38 special loads!

If you don't cast rifle bullets and don't expect to later, then trade the Lyman #2, one of yours for two of theirs for COWW ingots!

[geargnasher]

I'm getting to where I use mostly one alloy as well, 50/50 clippy weights and near-pure scrap plus 1% total tin. Air cool for anything near 20K psi and water quench for anything up to about 35K psi.

Gear

[ShooterAZ]

I use 1/3/96 for 38 SP and 45 ACP. Same thing...#2 or terracorp for rifles, pure for BP (except maybe a tiny touch of tin for fillout if needed).