Harding range salvage lead

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  • Last Post 20 September 2024
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Keith posted this 15 September 2024

What is the most effective and least cost option for increasing the hardness of an alloy? I have finally run out of the Linotype I have used to harden up the range backstop lead I use for casting.  The salvaged lead cast at 9 to 10 BNH which is fine for the 38 and other revolvers I shoot.  But I also cast for my son’s 45 auto which I believe benefits from a harder alloy because of feed ramp.  I try for 12 BNH or above. Steve Hurst in his Fowling Shot article on the 45 auto cast 18 BNH as the most accurate but this is not for a bullseye gun and I think I do need to go that high.  There is enough tin all ready in the scrap to get mold fill out so this is an issue of more antimony. And more tin leads to an increase in the as cast diameter which then requires sizing. 

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Aaron posted this 16 September 2024

https://www.rotometals.com/antimonial-lead-ingots-5-pounds-2-4-antimony-lead/

With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.

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Duane Mellenbruch posted this 16 September 2024

More ANTIMONY increases the as cast diameter.  Excessive tin will encourage age softening if it exceeds the amount of antimony. 

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stevebarrett posted this 16 September 2024

 

Adding antimony is cheaper than adding tin, but it’s a nuisance to get to dissolve. 11-12% is the most I've managed.

 

 

 

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delmarskid posted this 16 September 2024

You may be able to water drop.

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Eutectic posted this 16 September 2024

Roto metals super-hard 30% antimony gets you the most antimony for your $ in an easily mixable alloy.

https://www.rotometals.com/super-hard-alloy-metal-ingot-5-pounds-30-antimony-70-lead/

Water drop does not give consistent hardness , but it may be good enough for our purposes. Try it and see if your range lead hardens.

My method: Water 1 inch deep in a pan. A towel on the bottom covered with plastic window screen.

Steve

 

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Glenn R. Latham posted this 16 September 2024

delmarskid has the cheapest solution.  Water drop the bullets from the mould or heat treat in the oven.  They might end up harder than you need, but they'll probably shoot fine anyway.  It they're really too hard, you can put them in the oven for a certain time at a certain temperature and pull them out and air cool them.  You'll have to play with time and temperature, but start with 275° for 45 minutes and work from there.

Glenn

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wimilkman posted this 20 September 2024

I don’t cast my own because of where I live but for 45 auto I use 10 to 12 BHN cast bullets I find they give me the best accuracy in my 4 - 45 autos . The hardest I like to go is 15 BHN if I am going to really push them but for just bullseye shooting I like 10 to 12 BHN they work the best for me.

Fred H.

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