[Glamdring]

I understand LOTS of variables. But would you expect more or less or same pressure if using hard cast bullet in place of typical lead bullet?

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

What do you call a regular lead bullet?

Commercial ammo uses very soft lead but I designed my California-Saeco target bullet molds to use common tire weights for target velocities. With a maximum of 50 % linotype added if desired.

The harder the bullet the faster it can fly without deformation and it also will expand less in a animal target. Pure lino and harder metals in some velocities can shatter making it less effective.

In the only rifle bullet molds I have left in .30 120 gr RN BB tire weights are fine in a bavel base mold at plinking velocities but I designed a gas check version to use the 50/50 lead lino. any metal harder than that is a waste of more expensive linotype.

Sizing diameters, metal alloy hardness are all factors.
A harder bullet of the same diameter will have more pressure as will a jacketed bullet at a smaller diameter.
A lead bullet in 45acp is normally .452 whereas a jacketed bullet is normallu .451 the jacketed bullet at the smaller diameter will have some more pressure.

The harder the bullet the more the pressure.

Many gunsmiths design smaller diameter barrels in their weapons to have a smaller lighter weight bullet with less recoil and still remain in the same caliber class of competition.


John Paul Retired
California Saeco Bullet Casting Company Rep

[KP95DAO]

No big difference. The main thing is that a linotype bullet from say a 200 gr 45 mold will only weigh about 180 gr. It will also be very hard to lubrisize in a standard sizer as it will be harder and it will be larger in diameter from the mold. Unless you are interested in getting a bullet to penetrate hard material it is not worth the hassle.

[Edward429451]

Interesting. Got another one for you.:uhoh: :D
How come different alloy mixtures will vary in size slightly as they drop from the same mould?

[KP95DAO]

It has to do with the crystaline structure of the alloy. Some crystals take up more space, such as antimony.