bullet casting.

[enfield2band]

Enfield2B,

lead tin alloys do not to any degree change over time, at least the rations I use for BPCR's, between 16:1 for PP and 20:1 by weight for canuallared/GG bullets (but just starting to play with PP)

But the OP was talking Linotype,which has antimony and tin, all be it more antimony that tin.

If you look up articles by Dan Theodore you will find some good info. Bottom line if alloying lead, tin and antimony is never have more tin that antimony, (here you go, for some info: http://www.shilohrifle.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24564 )

Re. wheel weights - concur, that is why I said 'old wheel weights', zinc has no real place in cast 'boolits' IMHO

Brgds Terry

Thanks for the link it is interesting.

The method I use to measure lead hardness seems to work close enough for bullet casting.

Randy:- Lead airgun pellets measure out the same as lead waterpipe on the drop test.

[Randy Bohannon]

So almost pure lead then Enfield?

[thibben]

RB

that is an interesting looking bullet!

re the nose deformation by the lubrisizer top punch, if you have a spare top punch put a piece of tank repair putty into it and push it down on the bullet, you end up with a custom top punch. I do this for all my bullet molds, Real shame to cast up a nice prolate bullet to have it look like a bulldog after lubing!

T

[loiner1965]

RB

that is an interesting looking bullet!

re the nose deformation by the lubrisizer top punch, if you have a spare top punch put a piece of tank repair putty into it and push it down on the bullet, you end up with a custom top punch. I do this for all my bullet molds, Real shame to cast up a nice prolate bullet to have it look like a bulldog after lubing!

T

good tip.....i have a lee hardness tester if anyone wishes to borrow

[enfield2band]

So almost pure lead then Enfield?

Its seems to be. Either is suitable for Minnie bullets.

[tim56]

Many Thanks to all for the info. Finally settled on a 25 / 75 mix of linotype / pure lead. A scratch test compared to a commercial bullet
seams to be about the same. They drop out of the mold at .431" ish so have bought a new .429" sizing die which arrived yesterday and
I'm hoping to get some rounds made up for next weekend. Tally Ho.! Tim

[Randy Bohannon]

Hope you don’t mind me posting this on your thread Tim?

today I tried a 10%linotype to 90% lead alloy for both the hollowpoints and the Lee 180 gr RN moulds.

i had initially tried 100% lead ( or near as damn it) and it proved far too soft to go through the lubrisizer without the nose section squishing down, I the case of the hollowpoint to 0.325”!.

A harder alloy is then needed to avoid deformation and so the 10/90 link/lead was tried.

This alloy cast very well and was a little harder than the pure lead meaning the lee 180 bullets came out ok but the hollowpoints still squished out.

I think this is to do with the gas check which being copper needs more force to size than a pure lead boost would.