Gil Hebard Alloy Mystery

[spqr]

I recently acquired a quantity of alloy bars. They were from an estate of a friend who was activelycasting. They were in his casting room with various other supplies. One still had the mailing label from approximately 1988. From Gil Hebard’s store in Indiana. No markings whatsoever identifying the material. Very heavy, but also very hard. When I bounce a drillbit off of it the bar echoes. I’m trying to attach a pic but having no luck right now. Any help identifying these would be appreciated. They are about 20 inches long with H shaped hooks on the end. Approximately 2 inches in height and rounded.
I will attempt to post a picture after the thread goes up

[bangerjim]

Sounds like lino type metal pigs. Those were the "ingots" that were lowered down in the lino machines as the melt was used.

[jsizemore]

From the NRA Illustrated Reloading Handbook article "Pistol Champions' Target Loads":

Gil Hebard's data from the National Championships

38 S&W Special, H&G #50, sized .3555", 90% lead, 5% tin, 5% antimony, 2.7 grains Bullseye

45 ACP, SAECO-Cramer #5G, & H&G #130, sized .4515", Same alloy as .38, 3.1 grains Bullseye for the #5G and 3.6 grains Bullseye for the #130

[AndyC]

"90% lead, 5% tin, 5% antimony..." - so Lyman #2, really.

[Alstep]

I just checked my library of old stuff and found a Gill Hebard catalog dating 1970. He lists two casting alloys on page 129, quoted here;

Alloy #7: 90 parts lead, 5 parts tin, 5 parts Antimony. Produces a very hard, accurate bullet that controls leading exceptionally well. Recommended for autoloaders as hard bullet feeds better with less deformation.

Alloy #4; 95 parts lead, 4 1/2 parts tin, balance antimony. Fine for revolvers.

A chart lists #4 having a BHN of 12 and casting temperature of 750 degrees.
#7 has a BHN of 18 and casting temperature of 775 degrees.

So it looks like Hebard's #7 is the equivalent of Lyman #2.
Hebard's price for #4 is $4.90/10#.
#7 is $6.00/10#

Here's some prices back in 1970, gosh that's 50 years ago;
A Star lub-sizer lists for $52.50 with dies.
Star progressive loader $287.50 complete.
Lyman 450 is $23.50 with lube but less dies.
4 cac SAECO mold is $33.50 with handles.
Lyman 55 is $19.50.
Govt 1911 is $125. GCNM $190. Clark hard ball .45 $235.
Python $190. Model 19 $135. Model 41 $131.50

[oldhenry]

I just checked my library of old stuff and found a Gill Hebard catalog dating 1970. He lists two casting alloys on page 129, quoted here;

Alloy #7: 90 parts lead, 5 parts tin, 5 parts Antimony. Produces a very hard, accurate bullet that controls leading exceptionally well. Recommended for autoloaders as hard bullet feeds better with less deformation.

Alloy #4; 95 parts lead, 4 1/2 parts tin, balance antimony. Fine for revolvers.

A chart lists #4 having a BHN of 12 and casting temperature of 750 degrees.
#7 has a BHN of 18 and casting temperature of 775 degrees.

Here's some prices back in 1970, gosh that's 50 years ago;
A Star lub-sizer lists for $52.50 with dies.
Star progressive loader $287.50 complete.
Lyman 450 is $23.50 with lube but less dies.
4 cac SAECO mold is $33.50 with handles.
Lyman 55 is $19.50.
Govt 1911 is $125. GCNM $190. Clark hard ball .45 $235.
Python $190. Model 19 $135. Model 41 $131.50

Brings back memories.
I bought two Ruger Speed Six revolvers for my daughters from him @ $159.00 each. I should have bought more.

[243winxb]

1977 Gil Hebard

[spqr]

That’s the one. I would bet money on it. It is way too hard for typical Lyman 2. That’s a lot of antimony in that mix. These bars are exceptionally hard. They “ting” and echo when tapped with hardened steel.
Thank you for your assistance. It confirms what I had suspected. I found these with a supply of pure lead so I am guessing they were part of this caster’s homemade concoction.

[ABJ]

243 nailed it. Mirrors my exp. Cut it 50/50 with pure lead will be 2/6 or hardball alloy.
Tony

[lotech]

In the mid-'70s I bought a 25 lb. bar of what I think was advertised as linotype from Gil Hebard. I no longer have any old Gil Hebard catalogs.

[FISH4BUGS]

1977 Gil Hebard

I have 5 of those puppies on the floor of the casting room. I use 5lbs of WW to 1 lb lino. Makes Lyman #2.

[dverna]

1977 Gil Hebard

I still have about 250 lbs of them.