I've used 50/50 Pb/WW for my pistols for years, but now I'm running out of WW. I've got a good supply of Linotype. What would be the right proportion of Pb/lino to match the hardness of my old PB/WW?
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I've used 50/50 Pb/WW for my pistols for years, but now I'm running out of WW. I've got a good supply of Linotype. What would be the right proportion of Pb/lino to match the hardness of my old PB/WW?
Using the lead alloy calculator, looks like a 10:1 ratio lead:lino should get you about the same overall. This should give a little more tin %, a little less antimony %, and about the same hardness.
From http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Chap...Metallurgy.htm
Hardness of Tertiary Lead/Antimony/Tin Alloys
Alloy Composition Hardness
Lead 5
Wheelweights 95% Pb 3% Sb 0.3% Sn 12
Lyman #2 90% Pb 5% Sb 5% Sn 15
Linotype 84% Pb 12% Sb 4% Sn 22
Lead based Babbitt 85/10/5 19
Lead based Babbitt 80/15/5 20
I run like 6-1 lead/lino? 10-1 seems a bit soft.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alstep
I use birdshot the larger magnum size like 5 or 4's have about the same components. It also has a touch of arsenic so it will harden. Best to add a little tin to get it to flow. Too much tin lightens the bullets where this is about the same.
DEP
For low speed handgun stuff, I only add enough WW to get a nice fill in the mold.
My WW content is closer to 20% rather than 1/2 & 1/2.
Since pure Lead swaged boolits will work- I don't add any more goodies than I have to for getting a good fill out.
I save my 'goodies' for rifle boolits that actually need to be harder.
I replaced wheel weights long ago with the pure lead plus hard, chilled birdshot mix. My alloy is about 30% shot and 70% pure with a little pure tin added as DEP said.