A few (several?) years back I broke my LBT lead hardness scale (I have no tale of my stupidity to regal you all with; I just noted it was broken one morning. I guess I'll get a Saeco net time.

Anyway, I wish to keep Cast and Gas checked lead blivets at the correct level of hardness so that I can supply people with practice cartridgeds that won't smear Pb everywhere, nor be so hard that they skid off of the lands.

In the land between 1,500fps and 2,200 fps what brinnell levels should I be (ha, ha, ahem) shooting for. I know that over 2,400fps Brinell hardness of 21-22, hard wax and a gas check is the order of the day. I also know that an old Colt SAA pushing hollow base bullets at 700 fps should be down around a brinnell of 10 or so.

The question I have is what levels of hardness are appropriate for that intermediate ground of 1,500 to 2,100 fps.

Myself (Bullwinkle) and my side-kick (Rocket J. Squirrel) do thank you.

JC

"so hard they skid off the lands" never heard of that one. "Too hard" only applies to revolvers and throat obturation. I would think you would be looking at linotype or water hardened bullets, especially if you want reliable 2200fps. Of course, the hardened ones are brittle if impacting heavy bones at that speed. But if it is for practice (not game), that is no concern. In that case, there is no "too hard". I don't think you will find a hardness for both reliable 2200fps accuracy (no leading) and animal terminal performance (non shattering).

quote:

The question I have is what levels of hardness are appropriate for that intermediate ground of 1,500 to 2,100 fps.

Lyman #2 alloy, BHN 15 or higher with gas check air cooled. Or Heat treated/water dropped with 2% or more antimony with lead. BHN18 with gas check. PSI will tell you what BHN you need, go by Lee" chat.

Many thanks guys! One hardness simplifies my life a lot here. I just want guys who drop $$$ on big bore rifles to go spend $$$$ on fancy hunts to have the best chance of success (buying my ammunition).

I'll get after the manuals and metal purveyors shortly.

LD