Snakeoil
Well-Known Member
I did some searches and I have read a few posts here about analyzing alloys like WW material as well as hardness testing. I understand that hardness is just part of the equation in finding loads that shoot. So, here is the basis for my question.
Shooting 20:1 cast bullets from my original 03 Spfld with 17 gr of 2400 out to 500 yds has proven to be a superb load. This week, I pulled out my stash of pure lead and pure tin and decided to make it all into 20:1 alloy and made 90 lbs over two days. In the process of confirming every ingot of pure lead was indeed pure by doing a hardness test on each, I ran across two ingots that were in the 14-16 BHN range. I probably made these 20+ years ago and have no idea what is in them. Could be old WW, range scrap or a combination. Are there any formulas for reducing the hardness of alloys by adding pure lead to them if you know the weight and the hardness? Yes, I know that the constituents of what one is trying to modify plays a role. I must admit that it's more curiosity right now than anything else. But I'm also thinking there may come a time when any lead alloy will be like gold and we'll have to modify it to suit our needs. Along those lines I have a bunch of old motorcycle batteries I'm thinking of neutralizing and stripping the lead out. Retirement tends to generate "Red Green" kinda side projects. I also have several thousand commercially cast (rock hard) bevel base bullets I'm thinking about melting down, making softer and casting into something usable in my .38-55. Might give breech seating a try.
If I'm dreaming here because of my ignorance of metallurgy, just tell me. I'm not thin skinned. I made the question bold since I tend to ramble on and on and on....
thanks,
Rob
Shooting 20:1 cast bullets from my original 03 Spfld with 17 gr of 2400 out to 500 yds has proven to be a superb load. This week, I pulled out my stash of pure lead and pure tin and decided to make it all into 20:1 alloy and made 90 lbs over two days. In the process of confirming every ingot of pure lead was indeed pure by doing a hardness test on each, I ran across two ingots that were in the 14-16 BHN range. I probably made these 20+ years ago and have no idea what is in them. Could be old WW, range scrap or a combination. Are there any formulas for reducing the hardness of alloys by adding pure lead to them if you know the weight and the hardness? Yes, I know that the constituents of what one is trying to modify plays a role. I must admit that it's more curiosity right now than anything else. But I'm also thinking there may come a time when any lead alloy will be like gold and we'll have to modify it to suit our needs. Along those lines I have a bunch of old motorcycle batteries I'm thinking of neutralizing and stripping the lead out. Retirement tends to generate "Red Green" kinda side projects. I also have several thousand commercially cast (rock hard) bevel base bullets I'm thinking about melting down, making softer and casting into something usable in my .38-55. Might give breech seating a try.
If I'm dreaming here because of my ignorance of metallurgy, just tell me. I'm not thin skinned. I made the question bold since I tend to ramble on and on and on....
thanks,
Rob