Mitty38
Well-Known Member
Currently I am loading other peoples cast bullets, plus a few .38 wad-cutters, and some near pure lead 50 cal muzzle loader slugs, that I managed to pour without muddeling up too much.
I am trying to find a convenient hopefully inexpensive way to test lead hardness at home. I have taken some scrap into work and melted down into pucks, then tested on their,specifically set up for pucks, and ingot, hardness tester. This tells me the hardness wile the puck is green. I cannot keep taking things in to work to do on my lunch, I am wearing out my welcome concerning this.
Thing is, I am looking for a way to test the bullets ( I can always pour a test bullet or slug when I make my ingot).
Right now, my only self casting interests are low velocity .38 special wad cutters, .380 and 30-06 short range target rounds.
I am sure that will change one day, as I never even thought that I would be remotely interested in casting my own.
The Lee tester, I do not think will work for me. As I cannot see myself, with my eyes,coordination and impatience for tiny things, using their system, at least not for very long.
I can use a dial indicator conversion charts- formulas and gauge type measuring instruments, quite efficiently. I really do not have the cash, or room for a bench mounted testing system.
I have heard of the lead pencil method, but not sure how accurate that would be. Is this just a fly by night idea? Is it a viable way of testing, that will, help me limp thru? Will it get me close enough? At least, till I get further into casting, and the sub moa thing?
Any Ideas on how I can get started with this? And what is out there? As I want to have quite a bit of ingot, poured seasoned, and marked for hardness before I start with serious casting.
I am trying to find a convenient hopefully inexpensive way to test lead hardness at home. I have taken some scrap into work and melted down into pucks, then tested on their,specifically set up for pucks, and ingot, hardness tester. This tells me the hardness wile the puck is green. I cannot keep taking things in to work to do on my lunch, I am wearing out my welcome concerning this.
Thing is, I am looking for a way to test the bullets ( I can always pour a test bullet or slug when I make my ingot).
Right now, my only self casting interests are low velocity .38 special wad cutters, .380 and 30-06 short range target rounds.
I am sure that will change one day, as I never even thought that I would be remotely interested in casting my own.
The Lee tester, I do not think will work for me. As I cannot see myself, with my eyes,coordination and impatience for tiny things, using their system, at least not for very long.
I can use a dial indicator conversion charts- formulas and gauge type measuring instruments, quite efficiently. I really do not have the cash, or room for a bench mounted testing system.
I have heard of the lead pencil method, but not sure how accurate that would be. Is this just a fly by night idea? Is it a viable way of testing, that will, help me limp thru? Will it get me close enough? At least, till I get further into casting, and the sub moa thing?
Any Ideas on how I can get started with this? And what is out there? As I want to have quite a bit of ingot, poured seasoned, and marked for hardness before I start with serious casting.
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