Here's a Question

I've read that hard cast bullets are recommended for heavy/magnum (fast fps) loads i.e. Brinell 18;
and that softer lead bullets are for slower/lighter loads i.e. Brinell 12.
The reasoning is because the softer bullets will obdurate (fill/seal the chambers/barrel) at the slower speeds; while the harder bullets will obdurate at magnum-type velocities.

My question is: What is the down-side of using the softer bullets at magnum speeds? Is it merely "more leading" to clean out...????

THANKS,
J.

If your lubrication fails, you can leave a ring of lead in the bore causing a partial obstruction. You can also add to the ring of lead very rapidly.
A partial bore obstruction can cause a catastrophic firearm failure.

I use bullets that are around 15 BHN and haven't had leading issues. Proper fit is key along with a good lube.

I think the concept of "hard" has changed over the years. I believe 12 BHN would have beed considered hard back in the day.

If your bullets are too obdurate they will not obturate.

beentheredone said:

If your bullets are too obdurate they will not obturate.

Click to expand...

Good one!

beentheredone said:

If your bullets are too obdurate they will not obturate.

Click to expand...

Exactly !

To the point, there is no disadvantage to using BHN 12 bullets at magnum velocities (1300-1400 fps). I have been doing it for decades, with no leading. This was with plain-baded Keith bullets in the 44 magnum. As has been mentioned, choice of sizing diameter and bullet lube is important. I have the advantage in that I cast my own bullets and can be selective in all the variables including the hardness. Recently, I have loaded and fired gas-checked bullets I cast of wheel weights (BHN 12) at 1800- 1900 fps from a rifle with no leading and excellent precision.

Try the BHN 12 bullets first. If all the variables are adequately managed, you should get excellent accuracy and little or no leading. Increase the hardness of the bullets if nothing else works.

Bullet size vs. chamber/bore dimensions, smoothness of the bore, base style, and lube type all play a role. If the bullet is properly sized for the gun and the bore is good (no roughness or constrictions), the bullet has a flat base, and lube is soft enough to help keep fouling soft, "hard-cast" bullets are absolutely not necessary to prevent leading at magnum velocities. I've actually seen more bores leaded because of too-hard bevel-base bullets with crayon lube than softer flat-base slugs with alox or BP style lubes.

THANKS ALL

appreciate your thoughts/info....

J.

Some of the newer lubricants are so much better than conventional wax based lubricants that it is hard to believe. I am referring to powder coated and hi tech coated.
Powder coated can be done in a roaster-toaster oven. Hi tech requires a lot more temperature control for best results.
I have had hi tech fail at 2800 fps as chronographed due to I overheated the hi tech coating and discolored it.
A friend stripped off the hitech coating and powder coated them and was able to exceed 2800 fps. My powder coated also exceeded 2800 fps with good accuracy.

Note and Caution!
Conventional wax based lubes have a very long track record and we know how they will act. The newer coatings don't have such a long track record yet. Quality control failures could expose you to that ring of lead I mentioned earlier leading to a partial bore blockage catastrophic failure.

I am still at the trial and error testing stage with newer coatings. I have decades of experience with the older coatings. I have heard from people who rely on commercial cast bullets with the newer coatings being quite pleased with how much better they perform and then getting defective batches where the coating just easily flakes off.

I like BHN 12 bullets and believe the harder ones are too hard. I always thought they cast commercial bullets harder to keep them from suffering deformation during shipping. I had to replace a shipment of bullets that were lost in transit and hurriedly ordered swaged bullets by mistake. They left so much lead in the grooves it looked like mud.

I'm going to try some BN-12 LSWC's (158 gr) from Missouri Bullets; ordered two sample packs (total of 200) for $32 delivered (not coated; just blue lube). Will see as soon as I get to the range....

I tried the BN-12's as mentioned above... Ran them at about 1100-1150 +/- and had np problems or significant leading (after only rounds). The test was really to see if the softer bullets would help accuracy in a gun that is sorta 'poor' in that dept. I had the cyl. checked and reamed for consistency, but it must be something else...not the bullet's hardness or softness. That's my story..!!!

J.