What is the lowest BHN you can run in any firearm, before you start getting leading in the barrel?

Question

I currently am working on a new mixture of 9lbs of pure lead to 1lb of wheel weights, anyone have any idea what this will be for a BHN? I want to load a 240 grain round nose for my 44 magnum for small game loading and want some expansion on the bullet without leading my barrel.

Answer 1

Guy,

If you keep velocities pretty modest, I mean more like .44 SPL or .44 SPL +P levels than .44 RemMag levels, you should be alright.

Others are right, the proper lube goes a long way toward preventing leading. Drop over to the www.leverguns.com forum and ask Paco Kelly about selling you some of his Apache Blue Lube. It is about as good as lubes come. I've even heard some folks have good luck with it in blackpowder loads.

If you have a rough bore, or push soft bullets too fast, you will get leading with even the best lube.

If you are going to cast for a .44 RemMag, and you want to load to the .44 RemMag's full potential, I think you need to go with straight wheelweights and drop the bullets straight from the mold into a five gallon bucket full of cool water. My water quenched straight wheelweight bullets give an 18-22 reading on a SAECO Hardness Tester. If your bullets run much under 15 or so, I think you are going to have leading problems in a .44 RemMag.

I'd save the soft lead to cast bullets for my blackpowder guns, and cast from straight wheelweights for the magnum loads.

Doc

Answer 2

blackpowder loads (in rifles) do use close to pure lead but also use a lubricated patch that prevents contact between ball and barrel. Blackpowder hanguns have direct contact but usually at lower velocity. Wouldn't have a clue what your BHN will be but leading would be dependent on bullet hardness, velocity, and (big variable) condition of barrel. A good lube might help some but in cartridge guns it will probably not make as much difference as the other 3. With straight wheelweights you could push a little over 1,000 fps but will probably get some leading. With your mix in a 44, I think you will get a lot of leading. Think you can get hardness testers from reloading supply companies. Might try a gas-checked bullet. Why be concerned about expansion in small game with a 240 grain .44 slug? A 230 grain .45 slug does a pretty good job on a man-sized target with zero expansion - .45ACP

Answer 3

leading of the barrel will not happen if you use the right bullet lube. you can use pure lead with the right bullet design and lube.

this is seen in black powder firearms that use pure lead.