Bullet alloys

[6thMissp]

Good morning all!  What's a good mix of alloys to use for casting. Pure lead , wheel weights,  linotype and solder to be used. Just asking. Joel Foss

[Ranch 13]

Most anything will work. My preference in black powder loads is 16-1 or 20-1 lead tin. Smokeless in higher velocity I like #2 alloy

[El Supremo]

Hello, 6thmissp/Joel:

The NRA published a comprehensive book, CAST BULLETS, in 1979, and CAST BULLETS SUPPLIMENT NO. 1, in 1981 and 1987, both by E. H. Harrison. The info in these is exceptional and is, practically speaking, the "last word". I have seen faulty, incomplete and misleading info on Forums and even in loading manuals. Short of metallurgical engineering, all you need to know about casting lead bullets is in that book and its suppliment.

Since you have a variety of metals, rather than trying to create a specific alloy, perhaps starting with a mix of three pounds pure and one pound of lino will get you close enough.

The widely suggested simple test for ample hardness, that I incorrectly used for years, was to use my thumbnail to see if it would or not not scratch an indent on the test cast bullet ogive or flat on its base. The book recites on page 102, that this method is useless on hardened alloys.  So, I will email you a chart from it on page 30, showing alloy composition versus Brinnell hardness.

The composition of wheelweights has changed to include some other metals such as zinc and cadmium that will contaminate a pot of metal.  They cannot be fluxed out. Old lino is nominally 24BHn (Brinnel hardness) and pure lead is around 5BHn.  Cutting the lino with pure will drop the BHn to around the desired 16BHn, which is the same as NEW lyman #2 alloy. That will be ok, providing the as-cast bullet diameter is above your groove diameter plus .001" so it can be sized TO groove OD plus .001.  If the as-cast bullet is too small, add more lino to reduce shrinkage.

This subject can put us into brainlock, so please call me if you wish.

I modified this Post to include the NRA CAST BULLETS HANDBOOK. Smiles.
El Supremo/Kevin Tinny

[Sedalia Dave]

Check out this thread. Especially the lead alloy calculators

https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=57368.msg688158#msg688158

[Jay Bradley]

Most anything will work. My preference in black powder loads is 16-1 or 20-1 lead tin. Smokeless in higher velocity I like #2 alloy

You are saying that it is safe to use smokeless powder in a new replica spencer?

[Major 2]

The replicas are proofed to SAAMI - Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute for smokeless powder within the recommended pressures.
I personally would not use +P, but Factory loaded 45 Colt would be Okay.


Allow me to qualify my post...
somehow, I got the impression you have 45 Colt chambered Replica Spencer hence the 45 Colt response.
After speaking with Kevin "El Supremo" he reminded me of C I P the European Union equivalent.
Italy, and 12 other European countries proof to C I P, and the accompanying Owner's Manual with Chappa/ Armi Sport state C I P.
I still stand by, load to SAAMI or C I P smokeless pressures and follow the bullet alloy and weights
in the Spencer Replica, smokeless will be acceptable.

[Ranch 13]

You are saying that it is safe to use smokeless powder in a new replica spencer?

As stated above if it's a new one yes as long as the smokeless loads are held to saami specs as contained in most published reloading manuals.
Plus p stuff I would stay away from, but with a bit of research it's not a diffucult task to find loads that will produce velocity above "standard" yet still remain in accepted pressure levels.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Being a cheep SOB, I usually use straight wheel weights for everything. Muzzle loaders, cap'n ball. cartridge pistols and small game loads in rifle. For CAS use it has always worked well enough. I will say that Long Range BP rifle might need more care with selecting a proper alloy.

For hunting rifle, I do not lubri-size. I wrap the bullet in gas fitters teflon tape. (residue from copper jackets do not play nicely with alox lube residue.)

[Ranch 13]

 Wheel weights are so unpredictable as to metal content any more, plus where I'm at getting any sort of good supply of them is not assured. So buying the commercial alloys works better.