Another .45 ACP BHN question.

[Schwing]

I cast both 200 and 230 grain bullets for use in my .45s. To date, I have been using alloy that is between about 12-14BHN. I recently acquired about 125 pounds of lead that is around 8 BHN. I know I can alloy it and make it harder but am questioning whether this is necessary for .45 ACP. I am unconcerned about leading as I will be powder coating them. My primary concern is being able to achieve accuracy. I have slugged my barrels and will be sizing .001 over.

I have read a lot of threads where folks claim to use lead this soft all of the time for .45 ACP. According to my math (8*1422*.9), I can get away with pressures up to 10238PSI. Using Bullseye, Titegroup or Unique, most of my loads would start anywhere from 10,100psi up and go as high as 17,300psi.


If any casters out there have experience with .45 ACP around this BHN, I would be grateful for any opinions as to whether this is a good/bad idea.

Thanks!

 

[Okcafe86]

I use clip on wheel weights for 9mm and .45 with good results. Personally I'd want to cut that lead with wheel weights or Linotype. Roto metal sells Linotype.

 

[243winxb]

Pure lead 45 acp

Pure lead = feeding problems for me. Bullet hits ramp, deforms bullet, Lyman 200 gr lswc bb. Bullet on left.

[/URL][/IMG] Results of 1 gun & one bullet for me. Your results may be better with the coating?

 

[Walkalong]

I agree. Dead soft can cause feed problems. Alloy in something harder to get the BHN closer to 10 or 12. Antimony can add the needed strength as well as get the BHN up. Tin helps strength/BHN a little, but it is best for helping the alloy fill the mold better.

Linotype, 95/5 solder, or wheel weights can be used. You can also buy a harder BHN mix and use it.

 

[Schwing]

Not what I wanted to hear but what I expected

Thanks for the replies guys. I have some tin and antimony from rotometals so I will harden them up a tad. Thanks.

 

[oldcelt]

Lyman recommends 1 tin 10 lead for autoloaders.

 

[Jim Watson]

Old formulation, wasteful of tin.

The usual alloy for commercial "hard cast" bullets is 92-6-2 Pb Sb Sn
Which is about half linotype half lead and harder than you really need.

 

[hdbiker]

I been casting 230 grain lee TL bullets from pure range lead with just a hint of tin (8-10 inches of 95/5 solder ) per 10 lbs of lead,and shooting them in my Springer Loaded Target for years at around 800 FPS with very little or no leading .I use a bit of tin not for hardness but for better mold fill out.Over 8000 rounds so far. hdbiker

 

[chris in va]

I melted down some dive weights and put a small bit of pewter in the pot for my 45. No leading.

Different story with 9mm.