Hardness guess

[Flinchrock]

Since lead wheel weights seem to have become extinct in my part of the world, and I have a fair supply of lino and pure lead,
I have started casting with 2p lead to 1p linotype. It seems to cast and shoot OK, but seems to be a little hard for a hunting boolit.
Any one care to give me a guess on how hard they actually are? I am using these in a .45 Colt New Model Blackhawk and I am driving them fairly fast.

[Hickory]

As you asked for a guess, I'll give you one.
My guess is between 14-16 bhn.

[jcourson]

As you asked for a guess, I'll give you one.
My guess is between 14-16 bhn.

You are shaking my faith in our grand old alloy calculator, Hickory. It only shows a 12.7.

[MaryB]

Xcel calculator says 12.7 also.

[Alcast]

Have the same problem about wheel weights up here;I've found that hardness is secundary to bullet fitness.BHN 12 does a very good job in my .44 at chronoed 1304fps(no leading after 100 rds and same grouping accuracy).
I cast range recovered lead(BHN 6.5)with 10%lyno(my once 1000# supply is down to 450#s;I might have to try find resupply soon).
Water cooled bullets(drop them in a 5 gal pail half filled but be carefull about the splashes;you'll have to rig some kind of cloth hanging over the pail to intercept any drop of water sailing towards the molten lead).That'll yeld a very hard bullet while using less of that precious lyno.

[Flinchrock]

Well folks, that is pretty much where I was hoping to be. I might add a little more lead and see what results I get.
Replies much appreciated!

[bangerjim]

All praise and glory to the the alloy calculator.

I does work! But I still rely on my Cabine tester all the time. And the alloy calc for mixing on the fly.

[Flinchrock]

In case any one is interested, I am using a 285gr boolit from an Accurate mold, gas checked. I cast a few hundred of these a couple of months ago, sized them to .452 and lubed with 2500. Loaded over 23gr of H110 I am getting 1325 fps, 23.5 gives me 1360fps. I use the 23gr load.
No leading, not even a little wash and they go where they are aimed. The cases slide right out of the cyl. I only use these for hunting and they are more than I really need in Fl. but we do have some pretty big piggies down here, along with some bears, but I am not shooting at bears unless one decides that I look tasty. I think letting them sit for a while helps with the no leading. They are not water dropped.

[jcourson]

All praise and glory to the the alloy calculator.

I does work! But I still rely on my Cabine tester all the time. And the alloy calc for mixing on the fly.

I'm jealous. Eventually I will find a used cabine tree or LBT, or even a Saeco for cheap.

[MyFlatline]

I'm jealous. Eventually I will find a used cabine tree or LBT, or even a Saeco for cheap.

A $100 bux is not a bad deal. I thought they were more also. Sold my Lee pencilscope to pay for over half the cost of a Cabin tree..Wow, what a difference...

[jcourson]

A $100 bux is not a bad deal. I thought they were more also. Sold my Lee pencilscope to pay for over half the cost of a Cabin tree..Wow, what a difference...

They are $120 over at buffaloarms.com. Plus another $18.86 for shipping. I have been keeping an eye out for one under a hundred.

[Lloyd Smale]

yup my cabintree tester shows it at about 12bhn. tad harder then air cooled ww.
You are shaking my faith in our grand old alloy calculator, Hickory. It only shows a 12.7.

[LenH]

I really like the alloy calculator for mixing a particular alloy. But like Banger said I always check with the Cabintree tester.