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Brinell Hardness
victorj19
Member Posts: 3,642 ✭✭✭
What would be a good hardness range for pistol bullets? Rifle bullets? Yesterday I received a Lee hardness tester and want to simplify my lead inventory for easy use.
I have a lot of soft lead, melted wheel weights, range lead, linotype, etc. Will save some of the soft for muzzle loading bullets.
Thanks,
Jim
I have a lot of soft lead, melted wheel weights, range lead, linotype, etc. Will save some of the soft for muzzle loading bullets.
Thanks,
Jim
Comments
Cast Performance claims their lead bullets are 18-21 BH, Hunters Supply are 15, and Meister's are 14-16 (44 cal to use from 44 Mag). My understanding is that I should look for one from 16-18 for optimal performance.
Brinell hardness numbers
Material
Hardness
Softwood (e.g., pine) 1.6 HBS 10/100
Hardwood 2.6-7.0 HBS 1.6 10/100
Lead 5.0 HB (pure lead; alloyed lead typically can range from 5.0 HB to values in excess of 22.0 HB)
Aluminium 15 HB
Copper 35 HB
Mild steel 120 HB
18-8 (304) stainless steel annealed 200 HB[4]
Glass 1550 HB
Hardened tool steel 1500-1900 HB
Rhenium diboride 4600 HB
Note: Standard test conditions unless otherwise stated
Correct size .001-.002 over bore size and proper lube "Good soft LUBR not the Hard candle Wax that most commercial cast bullets come with "ONLY BECAUSE THEY PACK & SHIP WELL AND LOOK GOOD" I have loaded over 200.000 Swaged pure soft lead bullets with Soft lube in 45ACP never a problem great grouping out of ransom rest.
For harder materials Rockwell B and C scales are used. The C scale uses a diamond penetrator. Gun parts are in the Rc 30-50 range. Soft hot rolled steel is about Rb 99.
For harder materials Rockwell B and C scales are used. The C scale uses a diamond penetrator. Gun parts are in the Rc 30-50 range. Soft hot rolled steel is about Rb 99.