ideal bhn for 45s

[twc1964]

Ok guys, soon i will be smelting some lead to alloy. i am making some in 16 bhn for my 38s and 357s because that bhn has done well for me in that. now i want to know what hardness for the 45. its a g21 with a kkn match barrel. i plan to use unique as it has served me well for years in ball loads. velocities are around 850fps. any help would be appreciated. thx

[Bohica793]

I shoot 10-12 BHN in everything I have from 9mm to 38 to 257 to 45ACP and 45 Colt.I push them upwards of 1400fps in the 357 and 45Colt with no issues. I have never seen a need to go harder than that. Even Elmer thought 12 was hard enough.

[BIGRED]

I use 50/50 WW & soft lead. 2% tin and I get a hardness of About 10-11. Served me very well for 9mm, 40, 380, 45acp.

[twc1964]

Bohica793. i have been shooting 12bhn boolits from missouri bullets in 38spl loads up to 1000fps. i will give em a try on the hotter 357 loads and see how they hold up. i hope to be casting my own in a couple weeks when the cool weather goes away. My main thing is the 45 as this is my favorite popper to play with., no pun intended.

[357shooter]

My 357's get fed 8-12 BHN. The target and midrange are 8-10, BHN 12 for heavy loads in a revolver and rifle. Gas checks over 1600FPS in the rifle, but plain base up to that. The 45 should do good on 12 or below. No need for 16 in anything you mentioned. It won't hurt assuming they fit well. The softer bullets shoot better for me, meaning more accuracte and no leading at all.

[Defcon-One]

I love those KKM barrels. Really great!

12 BHN is what I use. 2%Tin, 3% Antimony, 95% Lead. It works great for all my hanguns, both pistols and revolvers.

Use a properly sized bullet and a good quality lube, something not too hard or waxy, and you'll be fine.

[twc1964]

Thanks for your input guys. think the consensus is 10-12 so i will smelt a batch of that and put lead down the tube and see how it goes. nice to have folks to bounce stuff off of.

[Boogieman]

My LALL alloy (looks a lot like lead) tests 8-9.5 Bhn IT works good in both my Colts ,4 different boolits, PCed or grease lub. sized .452

[twc1964]

Ok, i guess that if i use less antimony in the mix the results are less cash per boolit. these days i will take any savings i can get. thx fellas.

[williamwaco]

I prefer 8 to 10 BNH for all handguns including the various ACPs.

[bangerjim]

I mix up a 10 for 9/38/40/45 and PC them all. PC'ing minimized the age-old worry about "what alloy do I use for X?" or "is my alloy too hard or soft?"

PC makes life easier.

Rifles are 12-13 and PC + GC.

bangerjim