Understanding lead?

[vinpar092]

I'm loading some 40 S&W lead loads for the first time with HS-6 and I have not been able to find a load with HS-6. I'm going to load a GAT roundnose bullet 180 grain, .401 diameter and lubed. I'm not sure about the hardness, but a box of .38 SWC had a hardness of 18 on it so I wouldn't think it to be much different. The object is not to push the bullet to fast and cause leading, am I correct? What else do I need to know.

Vince

 

[rcmodel]

Try a starting load of 7.0 grains of HS-6 with a 180 lead bullet.
Max load would be about 8.2 - 8.4 grains, so do not exceed that.

What gun will you be shooting them in?

rcmodel

 

[Walkalong]

The object is not to push the bullet to fast and cause leading, am I correct? What else do I need to know.

You need enough pressure to cause the bullet to obturate and seal the bore to stop gas cutting which causes leading. You also have to keep velocities under what your bullet hardness will handle. You also need enough lube for the trip. Most bullets provide the last part if you buy them commercially.

Match bullet alloy to pressure and velocity, basically.

Cast Boolits .com would be a great place to learn.

Where was the internet when I was learning it all the hard way.

 

[Harley Quinn]

Vince,

The topic has been hashed a lot and if you go to google and read several different articles that you will find there it will help. The "Lyman reloading guide" is one of the best going for lead.