? about BHN rating and leading, moly or not

[BigSlick]

Hi guys,

It's time to restock my meager shelves.

Looking to try a few cast bullets from popular mfrs offerings. I see BHN ratings all over the map along with many statements 'our bullets will not lead your barrel'.

OK, great. That's just what I want.

I always thought (maybe in error) that lower BHN numbers were more apt to lead a barrel if driven to levels of 1000-1200 fps depending upon who you believe.

Higher BHN levels were less apt to lead a barrel, but according to some the lower BHN bullets benefit from obturation. I'm not certain I have seen convincing evidence that obturation benefits a particular load, or if it even happens/exists at all at handgun velocities.

I am getting back into casting my own here shortly, but decided to do a few test runs using other peoples cast bullets to get a feel for bullet design and BHN before I shop for molds.

Leadheads from ProShootPro get pretty good reviews as does Northeastern Bullet Company and others.

I have been searching around and found there are a number of offerings that come with the options of being lubed with grease (only) or grease with moly. I have seen lot's of debate over moly, but have never ventured there.

I don't want to sound like another 'who's best' question here, but what do you guys use ?

Ideally, I would like to find a bullet for 45 ACP and 500 S&W to start with since that's mostly (mostly) what I will cast. An option that eliminates or keeps leading to a minumum would be great. I am initially looking to find something for the 45 ACP in either 200 SWC or 230 RN, the 500 ideally will be LFN in the 400-440gr range. Gas checks will work if necessary, but that's another step in rolling your own.

I plan to drive the 45 ACP to 850-950 fps and the 500 S&W upwards of 17- 1800 fps (depending upon the bullet weight).

Can some of you guys point me in the right direction ? I am hoping to find something that fits from a mfr, then do my best to duplicate the bullet with my own setup.

Economy is a factor, but at this point I know whatever I come up with will cost less if I cast them instead of buy them.

Just looking to be brought out of the dark ages here

Thanks

BigSlick

 

[HSMITH]

The 45's will be best at 7-10 BHN, there is no need for any harder of a bullet. Straight wheelweights are just about right if you are casting your own. Accuracy is also better with soft bullets in my guns. I have not been able to find a stock commercial cast bullet anywhere near this soft, most people think harder is better and want a hard bullet. A hard cast bullet will withstand transportation and storage without nearly as much damage so they are pretty when you get them, which is another thing consumers want. You can custom order them soft, but it adds cost and time.

Powder and lube also affects leading quite a bit, for example I buy a machine cast 200gr LSWCBB sized to .452" for my 45 locally that is about 15 BHN. Lube is Thompson Blue Angel. I load it to about 850 fps with Unique and get NO leading at all, not even a little bit. I load it to the same speed with Universal, which for all intents and purposes is the same buring rate as Unique, and get moderate leading within 100 rounds. With Clays I get light leading in 200 rounds, with Bullseye I get a little less.

My own cast bullets also reflect the same trend, but when cast soft the leading is less with the powders that typically show leading. I have also cast some VERY hard, hard enough to be quite difficult to size, and then heat treated them to 25+ BHN. Leading is still present in some loads and moreso than the dead soft bullets.

Lube is another big key. The hard lube on most commercial bullets is ineffective. The reason they use it is so the bullets still look nice when you buy them and they aren't stuck together. You can dig them out of the berm and find most of the lube is still on the bullet meaning it wasn't used in the barrel where it is needed. A soft lube works much better, and more of it is used in the barrel. The downside is soft lube is more sticky, and the bullets can get stuck together in storage if you just dump them in a box.

If you are going to cast your own look at 'felix lube'. It works MUCH better than any commercial lube I have tried other than LBT Blue soft lube. LBT lube is hard to find and expensive, you can make the felix lube yourself at very low costs.

The 500? I don't know, never tried lead bullets at 40K+ PSI. I would start with gaschecks but that is about all the opinion I can offer.

 

[HSMITH]

Forgot about the moly. I don't like it, don't use it, and don't find the benefit.

 

[45crittergitter]

1422 x BHN = minimum obturation pressure (psi),
or pressure/1422 = maximum BHN

 

[AJB2]

Cast bullets in 45acp

As a 2700 shooter I go through alot of bullets.Most comercial cast bullets are harder than what I need.I also like a soft lube.I don't understand your need to push 200swc or 230 rn @ 850-950.Best accuracy comes @ lower velocities.Generally w/ #68 H&G 200 swc from 750-820,230rn about the same.At the velocities you want I'd say harder is better & good lube & maybe gaschecks.Leadhead makes some very good bullets.I've used his GC 6.5 & 210 in rifles to great effect.They are hard & have an excellant lube.500S&W I'd definately stay hard w/ GC LBT or similar.Cast Bullet Organization has a treasure trove of info.Slug your barrels so you'll know what size you need.Hope this helps.

 

[HSMITH]

AJB, lots of us push the bullets that fast to make a certain power factor required for gun games like IPSC or IDPA. Others do it to make equivalent recoil to a preffered carry load.

 

[BigSlick]

Others do it to make equivalent recoil to a preffered carry load

That's exactly what I hope to do.

BigSlick