Hard or soft lead bullets for blackpowder cartridge gun?
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.
"...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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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. 0
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