alloy question

[725]

Never had this happen before: Cast a few 415 grainer's for the .45-70. Sized them the day after casting and shot a couple into a test medium on the third day. Saeco tester puts 'em just a touch below wheel weight hardness. Test medium was an old MSC catalog. Propelled by 40 grs. of 3031. At the very top end of a trapdoor load. They seems to shatter into little fragments. How come?

[Yodogsandman]

Too much antimony for the speed at the distance to the target.

What was your alloy?

[725]

Not a scientific mix. Some wheel weights, stained glass window lead, cold shot. Was wondering if it "aged", would it change? If not, what to dilute it with?

[Ken in Iowa]

Not a scientific mix. Some wheel weights, stained glass window lead, cold shot. Was wondering if it "aged", would it change? If not, what to dilute it with?



I think a little tin is in order. It will bind the antimony. 1-2% should help.

Dilute with soft lead.

[Yodogsandman]

If aged they would gain hardness, maybe 2 or 3 BHN.

Dilute that alloy with pure lead to prevent fragmenting under the same conditions. Better have a bunch of those books to shoot through.

That was a tough test on a boolit, though.

[725]

ha ha. Never used a book before. Always had water jugs. Never saw this result in water. You're right, a dry book is tough. Thanks, all. Think I'm straight.

[Oklahoma Rebel]

its from the shot, it has, I think ,4-6% antimony, magnum shot having more than the regular stuff.

[725]

First time I ever used shot. I guess I put to much in.

[Oklahoma Rebel]

I am still learning about alloys, its part of the fun

[Oklahoma Rebel]

I am still learning about alloys, its part of the fun. just listen to the folks here, one of them told you to add some pure lead. if your boolits are shattering and they are close to WW's, I would first try diluting it by 1/3 or so. so if you have 12lbs of alloy, add 4lb of lead, if it is still to hard add 2 more pounds ( remember this is using a 12lb batch as an example) to make it half and half, which I use with my 45-70 and it works well, expands nicely too