Cast Boolit Hardness

[jak77]

I finished off the Dardas cast bullets a few days ago and ordered a 1000 more 200 grain LSWC from Missouri Bullet Company this time. My question is whether the hardness will make a difference in my reloading.

The Dardas bullets had a brinell hardness of 16, and the Missouri bullets have a brinell hardness of 18 (I got the major power factor ones).

Will this difference affect anything? I dont think so but wanted to ask you more knowledgeable ones just in case.

I am currently loading them over 4.2 grains Bullseye.

[Cowboy T]

Depends on the pressure of your load, and thus the type of rounds you're making. Is this .45 ACP, perchance?

[jak77]

Yes this is .45 acp. So should one be using higher pressure loads for higher brinell counts? And more low pressure/target loads for lower brinell counts? Does it matter that much?

[bumpo628]

The extra hardness would be required for higher velocity rounds. For 45, it's overkill. As long as it fits well in your barrel, then it won't make a difference.

I used Missouri Bullet's 230 grn 45 RN 'Softball' w/ 18 brinell for a couple years with no leading in my M&P45. I never slugged the barrel to check either, I just used them. Go ahead and use what you have on order. If you get leading, try their softer Bhn 12 'Bullseye' SWC's for your next order.

[J-cat]

A 2 BHN difference is meaningless.

[Cowboy T]

For .45 ACP, the pressures are in the same range, maybe just a tick more, than .38 Special +P. For such pressures, BHN 10-12 is optimal. Any harder than that is not only unnecessary, but can result in gas cutting (and thus lead fouling). For this purpose, go for the BHN 12 alloy.

To give you an example: I have a couple of loads in about the 30,000 PSI range. They are .357 Magnum and "Ruger-Only" .45 Long Colt. For this hot .45 LC load, I use a 250gr cast boolit of BHN 15-16. Remember, that's about 30,000 PSI, and the alloy actually can take more pressure and still shoot well.

In your case, softer = better. And another trick I use to help w/ lead fouling is to hit 'em with a light coat of liquid Alox. Yes, this includes bullets that come with the wax lube. Most wax lubes that come from bullet houses are way too hard for proper lubrication of the gun, and the liquid Alox fixes that problem.

[smoothy8500]

A 2 BHN difference is meaningless.

J-cat is correct, it's not enough to make a noticable difference.