Lead bullet hardness for 38 & 357

[Trikerider]

I am looking at buying some 158 gr. lead SWC or 148 gr. DEWC-BB from Missouri Bullet Co. Will be shooting light to medium target loads in both the 38 and 357. The SWC are brinell 12 and the DEWC are brinell 10. Can I shoot both in 38 and 357 without leading problem? Any pet loads for either bullet or case? I am shooting GP100 and SP101. I have several loading books for verification of any loads to make sure in safe zone. Thanks, Trikerider

 

[rcmodel]

The SWC are brinell 12 and the DEWC are brinell 10.

Both should be fine at .38 Spl velocity.

You need Brinell 18 for the .357 if you want to set the grass on fire with Magnum powder & Magnum velocity.

Here is Missouri Bullets FAQ on proper bullet hardness.

http://www.missouribullet.com/technical.php

rc

 

[rfwobbly]

The necessary hardness is dependent upon your bullet speed. I'd suggest that you contact MBC directly. Bullet harness is their forte. They've built their whole business on this exact question. Their web site has lots of data on this very subject. They sometimes stock special hardness bullets for special speeds that are not shown on their web site.

Why would you want a bunch of internet goobers like me clouding the facts with opinions ?

 

[rfwobbly]

Disclaimer small print

We would, of course, have to exclude RCMODEL from the highly coveted "Goober Status".

 

[USSR]

FWIW, I have just recently gotten off the "harder is better" train of thought when it comes to the bullets I cast. Handgun bullets for loads that will be less than 1,000fps, are cast at ~9 BHN, and those for 1,000 to 1200fps loads in .357 and .45 Colt are cast at ~12 BHN. If it was good enough for E.K., it's good enough for me.

Don

 

[rcmodel]

We would, of course, have to exclude RCMODEL from the highly coveted "Goober Status".

Hey! Goober is way better then what a lot of people on THR call me!

rc

 

[243winxb]

All Goober Please reply

Elmer Keith's favorite cast bullet alloy was 16-to-1 lead/tin, from what i read online. Lymans chart list a BHN 11. If you skip the tin and just use antimony as a hardner, what do you think you will get?

 

[243winxb]

This Goober (Lyman) said

While antimony is used to harden the bullet, the mixture of tin is critical, for while antimony mixes with lead in its molten state, it will not remain mixed when it solidifies. If tin were not added, we would have pure antimony crystals surrounded by pure lead. A bullet of this type , while it feels hard , would certainly lead the bore and eliminate all potential for accuracy.. In a lead-tin-antimony mixture, the antimony crystals will be present just the same, but they will be imbedded in a lead-tin mixutre. As the bullet cools the tin will form around the antimony-lead keeping your bullets from leading the bore.

 

[TheGreatDane]

If you're using 2400 for .357 mag, I've noticed it seriously reduces leading in a 6in barrel, especially when loading some pretty hot loads. I've pushed up to 1300fps on a 160gr boolit with minimal (trace) leading.

It seems like to go-to powder for solid 357 loads.

 

[kelbro]

I shoot full power 357 158gr SWC loads at 12 BHN and no leading.

 

[MMCSRET]

I also stay away from hard bullets, I cast my own and with 10" Contenders in 41 and 44 I can push my wheel weight air cooled bullets to the max with lead sign that will wipe out with a brush and hoppes. My 357 revolvers also shoot the same. For 45, 44 Special and 38 Special and all 32s except 327 Magnum I cast half wheel weights and half lead. The 327 gets WW and a gas check. "Hard Cast" is, unfortunately a marketing term that too often means "one size fits all". It don't work in saddle cinches and it don't work in boolits.