HARD CAST BULLETS

If a reloader buys cast lead bullets in the UK, they will invariably be Hard Cast lead alloy bullets. The availability of swaged, softer bullets has declined since the pistol ban in 1997.

Hard Cast bullets are sold here for all British styles pistol-calibre shooting.

We don't have to protect ourselves against grizzly bears on camping trips here, so these bullets are almost exclusively used for 10-50 metre sub-sonic target shooting in pistol-calibre carbines or long barrel revolvers (LBR).

In my opinion, this alloy is not suited to British Gallery Rifle & LBR shooting. Not only is the lead alloy unsuitable, but the lubricant isn't right either!

Here's why:
My extensive reading on bullet casting suggests that low to medium velocity bullets (in the 800-1,100fps range as used by GR shooters) need to be softer than shop-bought so they obturate properly.
Similarly, the hard waxy lube used in hard cast bullets is too hard and doesn't melt at these common pressures and velocities.

In short, Hard Cast bullets are made hard and have hard lube - for the convenience of packaging and shipping rather than to meet shooters needs.

I cast my own bullets in the 11-13 Brinell Hardness Number range and make my own lube using beeswax, paraffin wax and petroleum jelly.

More on my alloy and lube later.

Here's a link to an excellent item on alloy hardness from the Los Angles Silhouette Club http://www.lasc.us/FryxellCommentsCBAlloys.htm

With over 30 years experience in reloading and bullet casting, I want to share my thoughts, views and techniques.