Shiloh Rifle Forums

After some reading, it sounds like a 16:1 lead/tin hardness is the way to go with 45-70 & black powder.
Question:
I have two types of ingots currently.
1- 96/4 lead/tin.
2- 92/6/2 lead/antimony/tin
If I combine these two at a ratio of 50/50 I end up with a 94/3/3 lead/antimony/tin mix.
A 16:1 lead/tin is 94/6 lead/tin. See where I’m going with this?
Has anyone tried this mix or tested the hardness as compared to the 16:1 lead/tin?

Or should I scrap the idea and simply acquire more tin to add to my 24:1 lead tin that I have.

Thanks,
ARN

Off topic question for you. Do you have a brother named Stew?

ian45662 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 11:33 am Off topic question for you. Do you have a brother named Stew?

Yes

Small world!!! I just spoke with him on the phone. I am from Portsmouth Ohio. He is coming down to Ashland Kentucky on Friday to shoot some silhouettes for a practice day.

ian45662 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 11:40 am Small world!!! I just spoke with him on the phone. I am from Portsmouth Ohio. He is coming down to Ashland Kentucky on Friday to shoot some silhouettes for a practice day.

Yes, unfortunately I’m working Friday and cannot join. All I have right now is some factory crap ammo that I need to shoot up. I’m trying to develop my own black powder load, but this learning curve is pretty steep! So much supplies to order. But at least I have a rifle now

Awesome. We are just shooting as weather permits. I usually have Friday off and the weather is going to be descent but I will keep you guys updated on more outings. Sometimes we go to friendship on a Saturday or Sunday and sometimes here in Ashland. As far as alloy goes I think the best thing you can do is to just try and see. I have been shooting 14:1 lead and tin alloy with my paper patch loads for years but I might be starting to get back into grease groove bullets just for silhouette and will he testing an alloy Friday. The Rixmix as Cody calls it. 50/50 wheel weights and soft lead with 2% tin. It is making some beautiful bullets ,with nice sharp edges, but the only thing that will matter is how they preform and we hope to find out Friday.

A Atwood wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 11:11 am After some reading, it sounds like a 16:1 lead/tin hardness is the way to go with 45-70 & black powder.
Question:
I have two types of ingots currently.
1- 96/4 lead/tin.
2- 92/6/2 lead/antimony/tin
If I combine these two at a ratio of 50/50 I end up with a 94/3/3 lead/antimony/tin mix.
A 16:1 lead/tin is 94/6 lead/tin. See where I’m going with this?
Has anyone tried this mix or tested the hardness as compared to the 16:1 lead/tin?

Or should I scrap the idea and simply acquire more tin to add to my 24:1 lead tin that I have.

Thanks,
ARN

When I started loading for these rifles 35 years ago, I was blending my own, but the more shooting I did, I found out it was more work than I had time for if I wanted consistent alloy from batch to batch. Getting 100% pure lead then adding tin in 30lb lots at a time was inconsistent for me. Now I just buy my alloy when I need it. It was more consistent and less time on my part.
Dennis

Arn,
I would definitely try that mix of the two alloys you mentioned. I think it will work well as long as
your bullets are at or a couple thousandths greater than groove diameter so you don't get gas cutting/leading.
Reason is that alloys with antimony is that they do not bump up (as much as) lead/tin alloys.
OTOH, they will not slump, which is GOOD
My favorite alloy is 9+1 COWW/Lino.
beltfed/arnie

Mr. Atwood,

You could combine your #2mix, which works out to 94% lead, 3% antimony, and 3% tin with pure lead in a 50/50 ratio to give you Dan T's tried and true 777 Alloy. The 777 Alloy is 97% lead, 1.5% antimony, and 1.5% tin. BHN is 8.2, which hardens to9.8 in 18 hrs., and stays at 9.8 BHN.
That was Dan T's favorite alloy

Bob

whoop-up country wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 5:50 pm Mr. Atwood,

You could combine your #2mix, which works out to 94% lead, 3% antimony, and 3% tin with pure lead in a 50/50 ratio to give you Dan T's tried and true 777 Alloy. The 777 Alloy is 97% lead, 1.5% antimony, and 1.5% tin. BHN is 8.2, which hardens to9.8 in 18 hrs., and stays at 9.8 BHN.
That was Dan T's favorite alloy

Bob

I just ordered a cabine tree hardness tester to help me out!
Thanks all!
ARN

Or should I scrap the idea and simply acquire more tin to add to my 24:1 lead tin that I have.

Thanks,
ARN
[/quote]

Why don't you just try the 24 to 1 first before adjusting it. I bet it will shoot just fine. Bobw

Bob is spot on. Raymond

A lot will depend on the type and dimension of bullet, granulation powder, wad, rifling twist.how hard you drive it etc
16-1 is just a one size fits all but experimenting with different alloys will tell you what is best for your load.

Like Bob says, may just be the 96-4 for your current load.

The Cabine tree tester has a learning curve to get consistent dial reading results. Instructions say to put a flat on nose of bullet, but a 3/16 flat on one example and 3/8 on next will give different dial travel numbers. I bored out a old mold to cast a flat cylinder .580 dia. slug, now the alloy test sample size is consistent every time with perfectly flat ends and the dial readings reflect that.
kw

What mold are you using? It does make a difference. Bobw