Any one PC soft lead?

[elginrunner]

I have quite a bit of dead soft lead (roof and phone cable sheathing). I'm aware of mixing with superhard to acheive a higher bhn, but got to wondering if I PC'd the soft lead cast into my new hollow point molds, would it allow my to shoot all this soft stuff without leading my bbls??

[Smoke4320]

it will depend on what caliber and speed

IE larger dia softer bullets pc'ed are easier to push faster accurately than a smaller dia bullet

[Beagle333]

You can shoot softer stuff than when using bare lubed lead..... but you can't just go with coated pure lead in your magnums. You'll have to just start with each gun and cast softer and softer until you find your limits.

[elginrunner]

I figured no problems with my 230 gr 45acp, but wasn't sure about 40 S&W, and 9mm pushing 1000-1100 fps??

[popper]

Probably not really soft. I did some in 40SW, pure + Cu + Zn, PCd. did OK but I'd recommend going a little harder. Did OK yesterday with 1% Sb + Cu + Zn in 300BO 185gr. GC, 17-1800 fps. Really needs to be a tad harder for best accuracy. My normal 9 & 40 alloy is isocore, ~3% Sb, AC.

[Smoke4320]

doubt you will be successful in 9MM with dead soft at those speeds ..
But hey give it a try.. keep a close eye for lead build up . I would check every few rds

[Beagle333]

I can't help ya there. I don't cast for high pressure bottomfeeders, only sixguns and 45 acp. 8-)

[MyFlatline]

I am working on some pure lead, copped added 45 acp's. So far, they have been accurate up to 25 feet. That is what I am looking for, up close and personal and won't go next door uninvited.

[elginrunner]

I'm going to be near a HF next week, and as I used to be a powder painter for Lincoln Automotive in the 90's, I think I will give it a go.....

[2wheelDuke]

I'm going to be near a HF next week, and as I used to be a powder painter for Lincoln Automotive in the 90's, I think I will give it a go.....

Their gun system isn't so bad, but their powders aren't my favorite for sure. Especially if you're looking to tumble coat them.

[Beagle333]

The HF gun is pretty nice. It can be made better, but can make beautiful boolits right out of the box. I like the coverage of the HF red the best. But for superior coverage.... get Smoke's powders.

[LAGS]

The Issue would be Casting Good HP boolits out of Pure Lead.
My experience has been, they come out undersized and the details are not crisp especially with a HP mold.
Add at least 1% tin or lead free solder to get them to cast better.
But the PC Will help with the leading issues.
But like others have stated, dont shoot them too fast, like not over 900 FPS.
And the softer Lead, will not withstand the Pressures and cause poor accuracy.
You Can cast " on the Cheap ".
But just do it correctly and you wont be wasting your time Powder and primers.

[Grmps]

I believe the most important first step is to slug your barrel and make sure the bullet is 2 thou over.

[MyFlatline]

Yes sir, I believe you are correct. That has been my magic number.

[NYBushBro]

I have just spent the weekend reading Philip Sharpe's book, which has some informative info regarding HP's' alloys, and velocity.
(NOTE: this is the guy who birthed the 357 Magnum back in the 30's, and rubbed elbows with Pope, Whelen, Wesson, Roberts, and Donaldson).

Schuetzen rifles used VERY soft alloys... 1:30... but they did not travel at the speed of light... and were AT LEAST as accurate as Krag and 30-06 shooters of his day. Revolver velocities topped out in the 'teens (velocity-wise), BUT Sharpe wrote that the RPM's were MORE influential in the 'mushroom' capability than the FPS. (I learned something this weekend.)

BOTTOM LINE: Match the alloy (and lube - or in this case, PC) to the VELOCITY that brings ACCURACY. Soft lead,while it WILL 'mushroom', will NOT stop at the base of the HP cavity, but will turn inside out.

Check out E-bay for this book... it has LOADS of forgotten information. We need to quit trying to 're-invent the wheel', and do our homework.