Proper lead hardness for older original1892’s

[treebeard]

I have several original Winchester 1892's and would like advice on the proper lead harness to use in shooting them without undue wear. Most of the commercial Bullet sellers advertise "hard Cast" bullets which seem to be about Brinell 18. My oldest 1892 dates from 1893 but most others are later early 1900's to early 1920''s.  What should be appropriate for these? Thanks for any help.

[Dave T]

I wouldn't shoot anything harder than 1-16 alloy. Back when I owned both a 44 WCF 1873 and 1892 (both originals) I shot 1-20 bullets and had no problems at all.

YMMV,
Dave

[treebeard]

I wouldn't shoot anything harder than 1-16 alloy. Back when I owned both a 44 WCF 1873 and 1892 (both originals) I shot 1-20 bullets and had no problems at all.

YMMV,
Dave
[/quot

Thanks Dave--I looked up Lyman #2 and the nominal Brinell was 15. I wold like to find a bullet seller that casts that or even a little better. If anyone knows of a caster that uses lead in that range i would appreciate a recommendation.

[treebeard]

Just found that Missouri Bullet Company cowboy bullets are cast at a Brinell 12--That should be easy on that old "92.

[Tater Pickens]

Does anyone know the hardness of the bullets made by Springfield Slim? I use his bullets in my 1st generation 45 colt SAA and my original 92 Winchester carbine.

[greyhawk]

Just found that Missouri Bullet Company cowboy bullets are cast at a Brinell 12--That should be easy on that old "92.

If you hunt with the 92 - softer is better - Lyman no  2 certainly tooo hard for my liking

[Virginia Gentleman]

Hard cast lead is not going to be hard enough to "wear down" your barrel.  The bigger issue would be accuracy based on the way the lands and grooves are cut in the rifling.  Heat is what wears a barrel down so, smokeless loads with slower burning powders keep more heat in the barrel and over time will cause erosion from the throat of the chamber forward.  With black powder the problem has to do with cleaning mostly whether it is done correctly, too often or not enough.  The advice for a softer bullet is sound since that will give you the best performance given the original type of ammunition it was set up to shoot.

[cpt dan blodgett]

I have a circa 1995 Rossi that was over bored.  .434-.435 groove diameter.  Key holed at 25 yards with hard cast bullets.  Started shooting Desparado Bullets from Cowboybullets.com which are a soft cast flat based bullets.  The rifle now shoots round holes at 100 yards and about 2 inch groups which is not bad for 20 inch barreled gun and pre cataract surgery eyes on an old fart.  I would try them in your old rifles.