Lead melter
11-06-2007, 09:27 AM
Alright, I'll be the one to open the Pandora's Box again. Here's the question; in your collective opinion, am I making my boolits too hard? I ask this from a standpoint of learning experience by trial and error.
My usual alloy consists of one third linotype, two thirds lead {each by volume} plus 2% tin by weight. This has been a decent alloy, and casts really nice boolits. Since I don't yet own a hardness tester, my calculations based on percentages of antimony, tin, and lead in the mix figures up to abou 15-16 BHN. But, since I don't exceed 1600 fps on any load yet, my gut tells me I may be a little too hard for optimum results.
Case in point. A few days ago I molded some Lee C312-185-RN slugs for my 7.62X54R. I deviated from the standard mixture by using one part previously described alloy, and one part lead, again by volume. The result was a softer boolit, but accuracy was still great with no leading.
I have cast some Lee C309-150-RF boolits of plain lead, again with good accuracy and no leading.
My muzzleloader loads consist of Lee 45 and 50 caliber hollow base Minie boolits, coated with liquid alox. Same story..good accuracy and no leading.
I've used Lee ALiquid Alox, RCBS rifle lube, SPG lube and a mixture of my own with no leading in any rifle barrel. With revolver and pistol barrels I get some leading no matter the alloy or the lube. I have just accepted that as the nature of the beast.
What do you think? Should I go softer since no boolit gets run hard down my barrels? Stay with the hard alloy and take no chances? Jump through hoops with a dead cat wrapped around my neck and pray for the best? Here's your chance, take your best shot.
I know some of you will say "50/50 WW/lino", but WW is darned near impossible to get in my locale. Exide Batteries grabs ALL the WW around this joint.
:???:
My usual alloy consists of one third linotype, two thirds lead {each by volume} plus 2% tin by weight. This has been a decent alloy, and casts really nice boolits. Since I don't yet own a hardness tester, my calculations based on percentages of antimony, tin, and lead in the mix figures up to abou 15-16 BHN. But, since I don't exceed 1600 fps on any load yet, my gut tells me I may be a little too hard for optimum results.
Case in point. A few days ago I molded some Lee C312-185-RN slugs for my 7.62X54R. I deviated from the standard mixture by using one part previously described alloy, and one part lead, again by volume. The result was a softer boolit, but accuracy was still great with no leading.
I have cast some Lee C309-150-RF boolits of plain lead, again with good accuracy and no leading.
My muzzleloader loads consist of Lee 45 and 50 caliber hollow base Minie boolits, coated with liquid alox. Same story..good accuracy and no leading.
I've used Lee ALiquid Alox, RCBS rifle lube, SPG lube and a mixture of my own with no leading in any rifle barrel. With revolver and pistol barrels I get some leading no matter the alloy or the lube. I have just accepted that as the nature of the beast.
What do you think? Should I go softer since no boolit gets run hard down my barrels? Stay with the hard alloy and take no chances? Jump through hoops with a dead cat wrapped around my neck and pray for the best? Here's your chance, take your best shot.
I know some of you will say "50/50 WW/lino", but WW is darned near impossible to get in my locale. Exide Batteries grabs ALL the WW around this joint.
:???: