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Hard or soft lead bullets for blackpowder cartridge gun?

jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
edited December 2001 in Ask the Experts
I now have two BP cartridge guns in my collection, an 8mm Kropatschek and an 11mm Mauser. i am going to start casting bullets and loading with Blackpowder, or perhaps occasionally smokeless as both can take it in proper amounts. I already cast bullets for modern guns and know to use hard alloys; I also cast for muzzleloaders where I use pure lead. What's best for cartridge guns?
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.
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Comments

  • paul1231paul1231 Member Posts: 49 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    You can't go wrong using soft lead in the larger caliber low velocity rifles. As velocity increases, the need for hard lead/gas checks/metal clad bullets become necessary. Too, soft lead will treat those pre-1894 soft steel barrels more kindly than harder alloys. I'd start with pure lead (BN5) and try a few groups, slowly increasing the alloy hardness to wheelweight quality (BN8), in each of your rifles to find the best recipe. Remember, your land/grove configuration also plays a role.
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