Hardened Lead?
Hi guys,
I received my Texan this morning and with it some ammo (220gr bullets), the bullets shoot very well. I bought some 140gr roundball from a supplier that sells ammo for Black powder rifles. I know that this ammo is normally mixed to harden it.
I squeezed a roundball and a bullet in the pliers. The roundball feels as soft as the pure lead bullet.
Is there another method of checking if the r/ball is mixed with tin etc? I don’t want to end up like Mr Crystals with a hardened bullet stuck in the barrel.
Any help appreciated.
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I recently casted 405 grain .457 bullets from LEE and they shoot the best in the Texan at 3000psi. I shot 700-800 yards with great accuracy and power today. It sure makes a fun boom compared to many of my other bigbores.
Best bullet I’ve casted as far as long range accuracy and speed is this one:
http://accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=46-280A-D.png
Costs a pretty penny for the mold but its well worth it.
If you are new to casting bullets just be careful when cleansing the other metals from the lead. I got all excited getting free wheel weights and began casting thousands of 480 grain .457 bullets. I had a great learning experience fixing my gun after trying to remove a jammed bullet. When you shoot big heavy bullets makes sure the fill pressure is 3000-2500psi. I connect a remote line to my scuba tanks now to get hundreds of steady shots with my Texan. I love shooting 300-400 yards with these big bullets vs 220 grain .457 rounds. My favorite home cast mold Is a lyman 294 grain .457 rifle bullet. The bigger 480 grain bullets make such a loud bang and require more air. It’s a treat when you learn which bullets work best in this rifle. I often think of getting a 9mm or .308 barrel but right now .457 just makes a fun pcp experience.
Thanx guys, Whitewolf that helps a ton.
Much appreciated.
Sorry just took notice of this thread.
If you can take your finger nail and scratch a line length wise down your casted bullet with depth and ease. You are 4-8 Brinel. Hardcore casters would be having a Brinel tester. Pure lead is 4-6 Brinel. The harder to make a moderate strength scratch, the harder the lead. Speer and Honady balls are 6-8 Brinel. So a slight % of Tin or Antimony in its mix. Hope that helps. Regards.
not sure how you can tell without asking them or having some machine that could tell you the chemical properties? not much help but, I’m not a expert. I sure its for firearms its going to be harder than something for an air rifle
60 views and 10 days later and no replies. Thanx for the help guys. This used to be one of the most helpfull forums on the net, for some reason things have changed.
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And to this day he believes he’s learned something. Yet still hasn’t understood that you can not seperate other metals from that has been blended into lead. Follow the links below and educate yourself.
http://www.airgunforum.ca/forums/topic69703.html
http://s42.photobucket.com/user/WhitewolfK5/slideshow/Air%20Force%20Texan%2045cal
://talonairgun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=33335