Lead Hardness PRB

[Thunderchild]

Lead Hardness PRB

I was curious about the hardness of lead for used for making round balls. With mini balls you really need to have soft lead for them to function correctly. Round ball is a different animal. I would think that for hunting a soft lead round ball would be the preference for max killing power. However would there be any problems of using hard lead for shooting targets. I have cast lead for a couple of years now. I know that hard lead is not as easy to cast as soft lead. I currently use hard lead for Fishing Jigs and sinkers that I make. The hard lead is cheep and available where soft lead is a bit more pricy. Sooooooo, is there any negative aspects of using hard lead for round balls.

TC

 

[rebel727]

I'd think they'd do ok in a smooth bore with thinner patches because they don't shrink as much as pure lead. I don' think they'd do well in a rifled barrel. I tried some Lee REAL bullets made from hard lead and they were extremely difficult to load but they shot ok once loaded.

 

[boar]

As they don't shrink down as much as pure lead, be a bit larger. The other thing is they won't seat in rifling as good. If using heavy load, might strip the rifling. I use some but not with heavy powder charges. Dilly

 

[Runner]

They shoot just as well as regular pure lead balls. They actually work a little better on game because they exit almost 100 percent. They might not work for someone shooting off the bench looking for the ultimate in accuracy, but a squirrel or a deer will never know the difference. My B-I-L shot them for years.
One of the old books mentioned a guy that used brass round ball and loaded them with a mallet. All the harder stuff is a pain to load.

 

[nw_hunter]

Some say yes, and some say NO
Hmm! Well, There you have it. Take your pick :wink:

 

[Rat Trapper]

The Bevel brothers did a test regarding that question in Muzzle Blasts magazine. using their chunk gun and wheel weights for a lead they were able to shoot better groups than what they got with pure lead. They did have to use a thinner patch because the wheel weights casted a larger dia ball. Once they found the patch, it was good to go.

 

[Thunderchild]

I would like to thank everyone for there impute. I plan to shoot .562 round balls from my .577 Zouave. I figure I will have to use a .018 or .020 patch and I will also use a felt wad over the powder. The Zouave has three band 1/48 progressive rifling which is not the best for round ball but, you shoot what you have, right. I am getting better short range accuracy from my other musket with round ball than I have ever gotten from mini balls. I can hope for the same from the Zouave. Time will tell. I ordered the Lee two cavitie .562 mold and hope to have it soon.



I currently use a Lyman 20 pound dip pot for casting lead. I also have a 10 pound SEACO drop pot but I do not use it much. I like the Lee molds but they have the tendency to over heat. I want to eventually get some R.E.A.L molds, a light mini ball mold and maybe a maxi ball mold. I have a improved Mini ball mold from Lee that is a fast mold for making bullets. I also have a mini ball mold from RCBS that is a semi wad cutter design that I have found to be accurate.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Softer is better but hard is better than not shooting. I keep wheel weights for the rainy day when lead might be hard to find. The old rule-of-thumb is that if you can scratch it with your thumbnail it is soft enough.

And it's surprising what your thumbnail can do if you're desperate enough.

 

[mazo kid]

I like to find my ball just inside the hide on the opposite side as entry on my deer; that way I know ALL the energy was dissipated in the animal. Also, if soft lead is scarce, you can mix soft lead and wheelweight to make it a bit easier to load. Emery

 

As a general rule: Dead soft lead for roundballs. I have read that some big game hunters in Africa used harder lead for roundballs if hunting elephants and rhinos. There is a shortage of elephants and rhinos in my neck a the woods, however. I have shot harder lead balls in my Hawkens in the past and I didn't like 'em. Dead soft lead balls for my rifles.

 

[flaming canvas]

I like to find my ball just inside the hide on the opposite side as entry on my deer; that way I know ALL the energy was dissipated in the animal.

I would rather have an exit wound. More blood means easier tracking. Sometimes the hide is pulled out of position at the point of impact and then slides back over the entry wound.

 

[kayja]

I like soft lead and usually trade hard lead(wheel weights ect.) for pure lead with some guys who make their own sinkers.