Little confused over lead bullets in 357 Full Mag loads and BHN Hardness

[Walkalong]

If they don't lead, don't worry about it. Non problem.

 

[243winxb]

Bullet makers try to use as little tin & antimony as possible, to keep costs down. Antimony is the better of the 2 metals for harding an alloy. But the tin is a must have, so there is no leading.

From Lyman >While antimony is used to harden the bullet, the mixture of tin is critical, for while antimony mixes with lead in its molten state, it will not remain mixed when it solidifies. If tin were not added, we would have pure antimony crystals surrounded by pure lead. A bullet of this type , while it feels hard , would certainly lead the bore and eliminate all potential for accuracy.. In a lead-tin-antimony mixture, the antimony crystals will be present just the same, but they will be imbedded in a lead-tin mixutre. As the bullet cools the tin will form around the antimony-lead keeping your bullets from leading the bore.

Normal cast bullet diameters are .001" over the barrels groove diameter. This oversize bullet takes the rifling in a swaging process, just like a jacketed bullet. Cast bullets should never be undersized compared to the barrel groove diameters. Harder is better with the proper amount of tin. Normal diameters are .358" & .430" for cast & work well in 99% of firearms. IMO

 

[MissouriBullet]

Bullet makers try to use as little tin & antimony as possible, to keep costs down. Antimony is the better of the 2 metals for harding an alloy. But the tin is a must have, so there is no leading. Normal cast bullet diameters are .001" over the barrels groove diameter. This oversize bullet takes the rifling in a swaging process, just like a jacketed bullet. Cast bullets should never be undersized compared to the barrel groove diameters. Harder is better with the proper amount of tin. Normal diameters are .358" & .430" for cast & work well in 99% of firearms. IMO

They do? I don't know any who do. I know that we don't. Maybe you know some, but please don't tar "bullet makers" with that brush, as it is defamatory and wrong.

We use 2/6 and 1.33/4, foundry, certified analysis. I wouldn't think of trying to cheap out on Sb or Sn. How would degrading the alloy help my business?

Brad

 

[ReloaderFred]

Lord oh Mercy! Where does this stuff get started? Any bullet maker that tries to cheapen his alloy is soon out of business.

Instead of doing all kinds of calculations, and getting ulcers over them, do like we've done since gunpowder was invented and experiment on your own and see what works for you. Each firearm is like a person. Some will like one bullet and some won't, even if they're the same brand and model.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[243winxb]

We use 2/6 and 1.33/4, foundry,

The 1.33/4 makes the cheaper bullet. In the same style like 45acp. Here are 45acp bullets, both swc, same price, different alloy. One should be less costly then the other, less antimony and tin. http://www.missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=56&category=5&secondary=13&keywords= http://www.missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=57&category=5&secondary=13&keywords=

 

[MissouriBullet]

Pardon me, but how the heck do you know what I pay for my alloys?

I have to pay more for the 1.33/4 because it's non-standard. Nobody else orders it from my main foundry. It costs me a hundred bucks more a ton. We absorb the difference. We can do that, you know, this being our business, and all.

But one should be less costly than the other? According to -- whom? You?

Bottom line - if I want your help on pricing our products, I'll ask.

I'm done with this and suggest you go "high road", also.

Brad