Brinell Hardness

victorj19

August 23, 2013 06:48

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

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  Boats

  August 24, 2013 11:23

  I don't know all of the hardness scale but it might be worth your while to get onto the Missouri Bullet Co website and they show it on every bullet they sell.

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  dcs shooters

  August 24, 2013 12:12

  This will help,
  
  
  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

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  perry shooter

  August 24, 2013 14:01

  for pistol bullets under 1000 FPS hardness is really not that important
  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.

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  243winxb

  August 24, 2013 15:30

  Depends on the working pressure of the cartridge. The bullets base, plain or gas checked. Lyman tested all rifle & pistol loads with Lyman #2 alloy in my very old guide.

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  bpost

  August 25, 2013 10:07

  I drive Wheel Weight rifle bullets to 2,000FPS w/o issues. Perry Shooter has it right. sizing and a good lube is critical to success with cast bullets.

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  v35

  August 28, 2013 19:44

  Brinell is only valid for softer materials as it uses a hardened steel ball penetrator.
  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.

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  v35

  August 28, 2013 19:45

  Brinell is only valid for softer materials as it uses a hardened steel ball penetrator.
  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.

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  victorj19

  August 29, 2013 14:25

  Thanks all. I took the time yesterday to re-melt all my wheel weight and range lead ingots and mix in linotype for a hardness of 16 to 17. Now have about 75 pounds ready to as needed.

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