Dead Soft and Gas Checks

[brad925]

Can I use dead soft lead and push it to say 1600 - 1800 FPS if I use a gas check? This would be used in 44 mag in a rifle and 45-70.

Brad

[Poygan]

I was having difficulties with boolits dropping from a .429303 mold so I used pure lead with a greater shrinkage factor as an experiment. The boolits did drop out better. I used a gas check and maybe (?) 10 grains of Unique. No leading so I would give it a try and see how it works for you.

[Larry Gibson]

Sure you can "push" it to 1600-1800 fps and w/o leading if a proper lube is used. Accuracy may not be what is desired though. I suggest you try 16-1 lead tin alloy. I use it in 45-70 bullets up through 2050 fps and have used it in the 44 magnum at 1800 fps with GC'd cast bullets. I also use it up through 1600 fps with PB'd case. That alloy can withstand the acceleration, especially when GC'd yet is still very malleable for excellent expansion and no bullet shattering.

Larry Gibson

[Wolfer]

I only use one alloy for everything. When first mixed it is 1-WW / 2 pure with a little tin for a bhn of 9 or 10. I recover my lead and shoot it again.
My pistols are all plain base lubed with my homemade lube in the neighborhood of 1000 fps. My rifles are all gas checked and lubed with LLA between 1700 and 1800 fps.
While this alloy isn't dead soft it's certainly not very hard. Woody