"Hardball" Alloy

[AKtinman]

Can someone explain what "Hardball" alloy is? Where did this term originate?

I am used to the military 230gr jacketed ammo being referred to as "hardball" but am not familiar with "hardball" lead alloy.

Thanks.

[M-Tecs]

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?76260-What-the-heck-is-quot-Hardball-quot-lead#:~:text=%22Hard%20Ball%22%20is%20alloy%20mix% 2092%25Pb%2F2%25Sn%2F6%25Sb%20Bhn%2016.,must%20in% 20time%20beget%20a%20government%20of%20wolves.%22

https://www.rotometals.com/hardball-bullet-casting-alloy-ingot-5-pounds-2-tin-6-antimony-and-92-lead/

[Outpost75]

Commercial "hardball" alloy used by the large commercial bullet casters is 92% lead, 6% antimony and 2% tin, aboutc16 Bhn, which works well in the Magma automatic casting machines and produces a well filled out, hard bullet which can stand rough handling in shipment. Much harder than needed for most purposes and prone to heavy leading if bullet is undersized. I prefer 50-50 Wheelweights and soft plumbers lead with 2% tin added, about 10-11'Bhn. Far superior for general use

[AKtinman]

Thanks for the explanation and links. Much appreciated.

[Nueces]

Side note, a 50-50 alloy of linotype (84-12-4) with pure lead (100-0-0) gets you what is called hardball. Numbers are (lead-antimony-tin).

[Kosh75287]

It sure works well in .45 Colt bullets, when pushed over 1000 f/s. In .45 ACP, the Lyman #2 alloy seems to shoot tighter (for me), when bullet shapes are identical, but I have to having a very good day, to tell the difference.

[Cast10]

SOWW and Hardball for me. Yields 11.3 BHN. I can find lots of SOWW locally.

Used in 9mm Glocks and 10mm Glock/Carbine at 1600fps. Powder Coated and No leading at all.