DEVERS454
04-26-2006, 12:10 AM
Well, I took some folks advice and tried my hand at heat treating my boolits at different temps.
My homemade Lyman #2 alloy cast into Lee 300gr 45lc/454 6 cavity molds.
Air cooled at first (casting temp was 700 F) = 13BHN
Placed in oven at 425 F for 20 min and then cold (tap) water quenched = 16BHN
Placed in oven at 460 F for 60 min and then cold (tap) water quenched = 19BHN
These measurements were taken after a 3 day aging with the Lee hardness tester.
Since these are gas checked, I don't see much need for going much beyond 19 or 20 BHN, even in my 454 Raging Bull. (I just don't load it much beyond 44K for those boolits)
These rounds work equally well in either 45lc Winchester Trapper or my 454 Raging Bull.
Thanks to all for the casting tips.... it really paid off!!!
My homemade Lyman #2 alloy cast into Lee 300gr 45lc/454 6 cavity molds.
Air cooled at first (casting temp was 700 F) = 13BHN
Placed in oven at 425 F for 20 min and then cold (tap) water quenched = 16BHN
Placed in oven at 460 F for 60 min and then cold (tap) water quenched = 19BHN
These measurements were taken after a 3 day aging with the Lee hardness tester.
Since these are gas checked, I don't see much need for going much beyond 19 or 20 BHN, even in my 454 Raging Bull. (I just don't load it much beyond 44K for those boolits)
These rounds work equally well in either 45lc Winchester Trapper or my 454 Raging Bull.
Thanks to all for the casting tips.... it really paid off!!!