BHN for .38 wadcutters

[Schwing]

There are a couple of new wadcutter threads that reminded me of this but, rather than hijack them, I will start this.

My main question is this:

I know wadcutters can be pretty soft but, HOW soft? I have an old stash of lead that is between 8-10BHN. I have not cast wadcutters in a long time so I need some and am thinking of using this softer lead. These would be 148 grain wadcutters for my gp100 and even my lcr. Thoughts?

On the flip side, what would be too hard for wadcutters? Even my wheel weight alloy sits at about 14bhn. Is that too hard for your taste?


I am far from new to casting so I am fully aware of sizing, lubing etc. I would also be interested in what folks use for BHN in other calibers. I know some folks have great results and never even check the hardness of their alloys.

 

[Walkalong]

Those should work fine.

 

[cfullgraf]

For target shooting, some manufacturers offer swaged wadcutters, generally, HBWC, which are basically pure lead.

For target velocities, whatever that hardness is is adequate.

If you want to run them a bit faster, a bit harder alloy is in order but I suspect wadcutters become unstable if the velocity gets too high.

I shoot alot of wadcutters mostly for plinking. I cast and buy wadcutters and do not get too concerned about the hardness.

I guess, if you have a specific objective in mind, the hardness would be important.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree 8-10 BHN will work well for full WC bullets.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Go for it, since that's just about perfect for wadcutters loaded to mid-range velocities.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[TimSr]

12 or less works best, but often much harder ones will also work fine unless they have the hollow base.

 

[mdi]

I cast my wadcutters with "range lead" which mostly runs 10-11 BHN. Sometimes it will run a little softer mebbe 9-10 BHN and at "normal" wadcutter velocities it works fine. I have a "button nose" wadcutter mold and I load those over a stiff load of W231 for my "house gun" ammo. I get 875+ fps from a 3" .38, no leading. I have loaded this bullet, often, with the "classic" load; 2.9 gr, Bullseye...

 

[snuffy]

Wadcutters that will be used for target loads should be no HARDER than 10 BHN. That is so that the small charge of quick burning powder can obturate them to fill the grooves of the rifling.

BHN numbers relate directly to the strength of the lead. 10 BHN is easily deformed by pressure generated by the powder. So keeping it at target only velocity is the best bet.

Some g-moke will look at those cute wadcutters, thinking gee if they shoot so nice in my 38, how about whomping them up just a bit in my .357!! 1200 FPS with a stiff charge of unique should do it! Well, you know how this one ends, leading and terrible accuracy. The soft lead deforms/slumps badly from the swift kick in the arse, causing the above troubles.

Now if he cast those himself, he COULD add some antimony rich lead like linotype to bring the BHN up to 14, then cast some WC's. Those would shoot well in his .357.

 

[gwpercle]

For my cast 38 special bullets , wadcutters and semi-wadcutters , I mix wheel weight metal , soft lead and tin . 5 lbs. wheel wts + 5 lbs. lead + 1 lb. tin . I don't have any idea as to what the BHN is but this mix works well. For nothing but target wadcutters you could probably add an extra pound of lead to that mix and be just fine.
Gary