AKbushman51
New Member
Popper- If I understand you correctly. If I have a known alloy. Say 2% Sn, 2% Sb, 0.17% As, 94.6% Pb . And Zepp it. I would basically sacrifice the Sn %, for the Cu?
bushman
bushman
New alloy
- Thread starter Brad
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AKbushman51
New Member
popper- Thanks, I was thinking of using it as a sweetener/toughener.
Ok, XD 40SW (165g PB, 5gr. 231,BLL, 25 yds - really old eyes, see triple front sight) & 336 30/30 (170 PB, 185GC, 10gr. Unique, BLL, 50 yds) using this unknown alloy. All WD from mould. I know, not really groups but the holes are round and barrel is clean. Caldwell front stand for rest. Same boolit with isocore & HiTek 4.5gr. 231 shot the same. 30/30 PB didn't really group either but all were on paper. The GC 185gr actually did reasonable. other stuff on the target was for comparison. I tried NOE GC expander on some old used GCs - did OK but I'll scrap them now, smashed ~ 1/2 of the ones I tried. Oh, 20 mph gusty breeze.
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Well my Sb/Cu/Zn test came out pretty good. They cast fine (730F), and when squished in a vice with just Sb/Cu alloy (the normal BO PB boolit alloy) are really hard. No impression in the Zn boolit, good dent in the Cu one. Both were AC & cast Monday. Now to find a triceratops skull to test on. Looks like a high 20 BHN for just a couple cents of added 'stuff' per 10# pot. Don't need H.T. so maybe Hitek will work this time, More tinkering needed. Then on to the HV 308.
Had some spare time so I cast some 175 40sw from pure & then added Cu by 1 penny weight Zn, CuSO4. Both cast easily in a cold mould, not shootable, just samples. Pound test shows both pounded flat easily. The Pb/Cu/Zn acted quite differently so time to pony up the $20 and get lab testing done. Loaded the 30/30 with the Zn'd boolits (185gr GC) over 16 gr. 2400 just to see - if the chores/weather/grand kids cooperate. Wife just told me I'd be keeping SILs 2 goldens for a week. Darn.
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Success I think. Had been trying a 0.5% Cu/0.17%Zn, BLL in 40SW, got tumbling and leading. Tried again with PC, load is 4.5 gr 231 under a beagled to 190gr. (401-175-TC LEE). No leading, no tumbling @ 25 yds. I applied a SLIGHT tamper crimp this time. Almost missed the target but that was me, OK @ 5 yds. Next experiment is to up the Cu/Zn % and see how well rifle works. Basically I have a cheap alloy that is soft, expands real well (TC turns to a rectangle @ 7' into 3/4" fiber backer). Also shot the BO pistol 100gr. hornady plinkers with 5gr CFE pistol. FUN but the gas was turned down so no cycle - loaded fine from Pmags. Just goes 'pop'. ~2" @ 25 with SeeAll sight. Probably will try 5.5 gr. next. Primers look fine. Also found my MarkIII won't cycle CCI subs - but darn they are quiet.
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fiver
Well-Known Member
that is the question.
I know tin will bind to zinc like glue to paper.
I'm not sure if that would negatively inhibit the tins ability to act as a wetting agent or not.
but I would bet a little bismuth would be a good additive in the solution [paying for it would suck]
it would lower the melt and flow point and add a little BHN at @ the 1% mark without messing with the rest of the mix too much.
I know tin will bind to zinc like glue to paper.
I'm not sure if that would negatively inhibit the tins ability to act as a wetting agent or not.
but I would bet a little bismuth would be a good additive in the solution [paying for it would suck]
it would lower the melt and flow point and add a little BHN at @ the 1% mark without messing with the rest of the mix too much.
Yes, tin & bismuth are not cheap. Actually I used the Lee ladle (junk) to cast these, worked fine. Test is really to see if Zn will do what Sb does without the brittleness of Sb. And if I can get more used roof jacks I get cheap soft lead. Oh, wife found a pack of Glistin disposal cleaner (cheap) that has the same detergent as Dawn. She decided not to use it so I get it to try in the US cleaner. Got a lot of 308 to clean.
I just used a sprinkle. Clean cases including the pp. Just noting a cheap sub for Dawn. Probably the same as commercial US compound. A sprinkle per 500 cases is cheap.
Edit: this stuff is pure Lauryl THE detergent in most 'detergents'. $2.50 for a lifetime supply. You don't pay for water, color and other additives in Dawn. My prob. was she kept swiping my Dawn bottle for other uses. Note: it will remove the oils from your skin, even in the wash water. It doesn't leave a scum or residue on the cases or in my US cleaner. Works best in hot water.
Edit: this stuff is pure Lauryl THE detergent in most 'detergents'. $2.50 for a lifetime supply. You don't pay for water, color and other additives in Dawn. My prob. was she kept swiping my Dawn bottle for other uses. Note: it will remove the oils from your skin, even in the wash water. It doesn't leave a scum or residue on the cases or in my US cleaner. Works best in hot water.
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Cast some with Zn=Cu 0.3%. Started with cold mould, bottom dropper. Sprue was funny, spinner on top vs just changing color. These dropped 185. I'll BLL & PC some when the rain stops. Haven't done a smash test but they polish with the back of fingernail. Accuracy from last test was bad as Sprue was pounded open & base not real flat. If I just poured one cavity and cut just as spinner stopped I could cut by hand. Maybe accuracy will improve.
Edit: well smash test shows this stuff is WAY too hard. ~ 20 good hits with a hammer and I can't get it smashed to 0.050". Doesn't bend @ ~ 1/10".
Edit: well smash test shows this stuff is WAY too hard. ~ 20 good hits with a hammer and I can't get it smashed to 0.050". Doesn't bend @ ~ 1/10".
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I'll put off more of this test til cooler weather this fall. Need to cast & load for rifle now before the sweltering sets in. It does show one can make a good soft but shootable alloy with pure/Cu/Zn. Think I'll continue tests with Marlin 30/30, see if I can get an alloy that is soft yet accurate for 185gr. 1800 fps+ (would be nice for the BO too).
Ok, shot some 60/40 isocore/pure in BO yesterday, results aren't bad. Also have 50/50 cast & ready. Added stuff to get 0.5% Cu and 0.22%Zn, 1% Sb. Cast @ 735 (PID) and wasn't bad, 170 PB & 185gr GC - 2x combo accurate mould, even using the Lee pot about 1/4 full. Only problem was keeping the sprue plate hot. I also have to find something to clean the AC oil off the plate - cooked on. Carb cleaner doesn't touch it. Plan tests in 30/30 & BO carbine.