Pure lead <PB> bullets
- Thread starter Keyfer 55
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First, lead shot is likely "hard" lead shot -- alloyed/chilled -- not pure lead.
Second, figure out just how hard one way or the other.
Even very soft, ALOX'd, you can go fairly fast:
https://thefiringline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6689987&postcount=21
Second, figure out just how hard one way or the other.
Even very soft, ALOX'd, you can go fairly fast:
https://thefiringline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6689987&postcount=21
WestKentucky
Member
Was it lead shot or magnum lead shot? They are generally two different alloys. Are you air cooling, or water dropping? How are you lubing?
I don’t intend to sound like I know much about this, I’m gathering stuff to start casting now, but I have been reading a whole bunch about this because shot is generally one of the cheaper ways to buy lead if you have to buy it. Reclaimed shot is cheaper but it’s an unknown alloy.
I don’t intend to sound like I know much about this, I’m gathering stuff to start casting now, but I have been reading a whole bunch about this because shot is generally one of the cheaper ways to buy lead if you have to buy it. Reclaimed shot is cheaper but it’s an unknown alloy.
Jim Watson
Member
A friend bought a lot of shot at a dealer's going-out-of-business-sale.
The 7 1/2, 8, and 9 he loaded for Skeet. The larger sizes he melted down for .45-70 bullets, with tin added for uniform casting.
In spite of all the nay sayers, they shot fine for BPCR competition.
The 7 1/2, 8, and 9 he loaded for Skeet. The larger sizes he melted down for .45-70 bullets, with tin added for uniform casting.
In spite of all the nay sayers, they shot fine for BPCR competition.
AJC1
Member
If your shooting a black powder charge with a hollow base round no problem if you have good fit. You have plenty of options from PC to alox. The length of your barrel will have a big impact. 18 inch guide gun is way different than a 30 inch plus sharps.
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redbullitt
Member
I guess it depends on how your lead is, but I've had luck with soft stuff too. Powder coating and bore fit for the win there.
If it helps, I've had 4570 success with a 405g noe wfn bullet, eds red home made lube, cast from clip on weights and water dropped get to about 1400 fps no problem from a 18 inch marlin. Recoil was all i wanted and groups were good, so i didnt go faster. Powder is h4198, but I don't recall charge weight.
Shake and bake powder coating got good results too, but a little less precision on target. Haven't explored it further, but I could probably get it working better with some tweaking.
They are cast fat mind you, pretty close to .460 and still chambered cleanly for my rifle. The bore fit is going to be the most critical part assuming everything else is ballpark.
If it helps, I've had 4570 success with a 405g noe wfn bullet, eds red home made lube, cast from clip on weights and water dropped get to about 1400 fps no problem from a 18 inch marlin. Recoil was all i wanted and groups were good, so i didnt go faster. Powder is h4198, but I don't recall charge weight.
Shake and bake powder coating got good results too, but a little less precision on target. Haven't explored it further, but I could probably get it working better with some tweaking.
They are cast fat mind you, pretty close to .460 and still chambered cleanly for my rifle. The bore fit is going to be the most critical part assuming everything else is ballpark.
There is NO answer to your question. Lead bullets lead because of improper fit (usually too small in diameter for the bore, too hard in BHN to bump up in diameter) or poor lubrication.
I have never had leading that was directly related to the alloy used, but always to fit and lube.
In fact, biggest leading issue I have had in decades were super hard alloy bullets. I found that a little LLA solved those leading issues and switched me to swaged lead bullets wherever possible.
So, what is your groove diameter? Are your lead bullets at least 0.001" larger than actual groove diameter? Are your bullets the same size or slightly larger than the cylinder's throats? Is you lube of high quality?
The biggest issue I can see is not enough tin in the mix to get proper mold fill.
I gave up sizing my cast bullets by late '70s and never looked back. I pan lubed for decades until LLA came along.
I have never had leading that was directly related to the alloy used, but always to fit and lube.
In fact, biggest leading issue I have had in decades were super hard alloy bullets. I found that a little LLA solved those leading issues and switched me to swaged lead bullets wherever possible.
So, what is your groove diameter? Are your lead bullets at least 0.001" larger than actual groove diameter? Are your bullets the same size or slightly larger than the cylinder's throats? Is you lube of high quality?
The biggest issue I can see is not enough tin in the mix to get proper mold fill.
I gave up sizing my cast bullets by late '70s and never looked back. I pan lubed for decades until LLA came along.
AJC1
Member
How long is the barrel?
AJC1
Member
Test some out and see. You.may be fine or get some leading and need to make an additional adjustment. Adding lee alox to your pan lube may help.
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