lead mixes

[bpcr shooter]

Morning gents,
So I came across a bunch of linotype lead and was wondering if I could use it to make bullets for black powder. I am looking for a BHN of 11. I currently shoot 16-1, so what would be my lead Mix to get that?? these will be PP by the way. Thanks Matt

[beltfed]

Matt,
I have had good luck with my PP bullets cast from my 9+1 ww/lino.
hardness is around 14 bhn.
beltfed/arnie

[mdeland]

If you have real linotype it is made up of 4 percent tin, 12 percent Antimony and 84 percent lead for a BHN of 22. It will need to be cut with some pure lead to get it down to the 11.1 BHN you're looking for. You already have enough tin to make the new alloy mix which actually only requires a small percent .
I have used an Antimony mix with a BHN of about 12 for many years for pistol and rifle bullets with Black powder and smokeless and it works well for them all. About the only down side is a bit more leading with grease bullets.

[bpcr shooter]

ok thanks guys, I was worried about the antimony in the mix I heard people say its not good for BPCR as we don't create enough pressure...

[beltfed]

Matt,
One factor in the question of leading with gg bullets of "hard"/antimonial alloys
is in the diameter. If you start with bullet of 0.001-0.002 or so larger than groove dia
Or the same amount larger than freebore if present, the barrel should not lead at our
BP velocities.
I have shot my 9+1 alloy bullets for years
- NO leading. The bullets are a thou or two larger than groove dia...
Oh, also a person must be doing good fouling control. I like Wiping.
rather than "blowing my brains out"
beltfed/arnie

[rgchristensen]

Find someone who would like to trade you some lead for the Linotype.

CHRIS
RGChristensen

[Rufus Krile]

bpcr shooter...

The mix you're looking for is one part linotype to two parts pure lead. That should get you to the 11 BHN or at least real close. I would go with rgchristensen's suggestion and find a pistol shooter somewhere that actually LIKES linotype and trade him for something more appropriate for your use.

[bpcr shooter]

well I actually cast for pistol as well... 41mag really likes the 215RNFP but 100+ lbs is alot as I cut it with pure lead as well. I will make up a small batch and see what happens. Thanks for the info guys!!!!!!!!!!

[bpcr shooter]

Arnie......

I tried everything I could get my hands on for GG bullets (Postell, money, creedmoor,ect) bought multiple moulds tried from .457-459 and I dont even know how many lubes I made/bought. I bore scoped my barrel and found nothing even took it over to Norm Brux in Lodi and had him look at it....."nothing wrong". It just doesnt like GG bullets. Mark S at the last lodi match was kind enough to give me some GG bullets to try, so Im going to give it ONE more shot. he used white Lightning but you cant get that anymore..... I might just buy some lube from Shilo and give it a go.

[beltfed]

Matt.


Strange. I presume you are getting leading?
Poor accuracy.
Have you tried SPG? I see comments that it is good.

I have continued to use Emmerts lube, with very good accuracy, no leading.
and with my 9+1 WW/Lino alloy. Bullets are 0.001-0.002 or so Larger than groove diameter.

Important, you mention using bullets from .457 to 0.459.
What is the groove diameter of your barrel? Would be great if your bullets are
at say 0.001-0.002 Larger than groove dia.

Note the thread by Brent D ( BFD) about his 3 rifles all of which
are now "spray and pray". He has been shooting nothing but PP bullets.

Otherwise, I would suggest Maybe time for Paper Patch Bullets???

Anyways, see my PM
beltfed/arnie

[Kurt]

ok thanks guys, I was worried about the antimony in the mix I heard people say its not good for BPCR as we don't create enough pressure...

I use antimony in my mix. It does an excellent job holding setback of the ogive and it still lets the bore diameter PP bullet fill the grooves.
I use a mix of 15.2 OZ tin with .08 oz antimony 17 lbs pure lead this gives a .079" -.080" imprint using the Lee tester depending how steady I can hold the microscope. This is for the .40-65. For the .45-90 I use 18 lbs. lead the .40 seems to set back more then the .45.
I don't have any faith for BHN accuracy reading using the Lee tester. I just use it to compare a known pure tin/lead alloy.

[bpcr shooter]

I am using PP bullets as I was sick and tired of poor accuracy and pushing out lead every shot. I did try SPG, I even took SPG and made it softer....still got leading. my final attempt was with a Brooks Postell with 5 grease grooves, 535gr, cast @.459 and ran thru a .459 size die.

My barrel is .450/.458

I really dont have a problem shooting PP bullets as I find it easier than buying/making lube that and I think they look better but looks dont make them shoot. anywho I will mix up some lead this weekend and see what I come up with..........

[TexasMac]

Morning gents,
So I came across a bunch of linotype lead and was wondering if I could use it to make bullets for black powder. I am looking for a BHN of 11. I currently shoot 16-1, so what would be my lead Mix to get that?? these will be PP by the way. Thanks Matt

To answer your initial question, starting with linotype (84/12/4 lead/antimony/tin), using a casting alloy calculator, for each 1 lb of linotype you would add 4.09 lbs of pure lead to reduce the BHN of approximately 20.8 down to 11.0

BTW, 16:1 has a BHN of approximately 10.53. Starting with the 1 lb of linotype would require adding 5.32 lbs of pure lead.

Wayne

[beltfed]

Matt,
Can we presume your paper patches extend (slightly) past the body and
on to the ogive.
beltfed/arnie

[bpcr shooter]

Thank you Texasmac, I made some up today and it came out at 10.5bhn ten min out of mould. Im sure they will air harden slightly.....

arnie…
yes, I have a BACO mould….443 elliptical and there is a patch line that I use. I use a board that I made marks on so I patch the same every time.