Lee Lead Hardness Tester

[Spindrift]

I use the Lee hardness tester occationally. It seems to work for me. But since the process is quite operator-dependant, I take the results with a grain of salt.
But I believe I can use it to get an impression whether my new batch of alloy is about as hard as the last one.

For terminal ballistic evaluation, I prefer to shoot i an expansion medium, like water.

 

[castmiester]

+1 for the LBT tester!
That Veral Smith has a whole lot of knowledge on casting and alloys! His book is a must read!
IMHO

Based on his vent lines on top of his mould blocks and recesses around the sprue plate holes with a latch, I do believe his book would be a great read !! I made a plate for my Ideal mould out of cold rolled flat bar. The sprue hole is drilled with a 1/2 inch countersink, that should keep it hot with cadence.

 

[castmiester]

To me a 429421 doesn’t need expansion to work well. That said i too would avoid something like Linotype. I don’t like brittle alloy for hunting.
My primary alloy is range scrap that runs in the 2.5-3% Sb and .75 Sn range. Shot a couple black bears and 5 or so deer with it in a variety of rifles with very good results.

Dont get hung up on BHn. It is just ONE measure of a bullet.

American Handgunner article

Veral Smith was the sole proprietor and a bullet-casting genius. While the Keith bullet developed a notoriety for killing large game, Smith carried things a bit further, improving on the “Keith” design. He determined it was the nose flat that was responsible for the wound channel. The bigger the flat, the larger the wound channel.

 

[castmiester]

+1 for the LBT tester!
That Veral Smith has a whole lot of knowledge on casting and alloys! His book is a must read!
IMHO

Thanks for the tease !! Can't find a copy for sale !

 

[Mitty38]

I always file a bit off then do a scratch test with pencils. Always been close enough for me.
Measured the pencil scratch results against our set up, at work, in the lab.
Was always with in 1or 2 Kg/mm2. On 8 different samples.

If its off from the true standard a bit not worried.
My main concern is constancy. The pencil test can be done very consistently. Getting the same results for the same hardness.
If it's off a Kg/mm2 or 2, from my target HB. So be it. As long as the entire batch is the same.


If I was trying to do an exact clone of someone else's alloy.
Or a previously made alloy, then.. Maybe ...it would be more crucial to me. But if I were getting that picky I would just get the stuff Spectrometer analyzed. Then alloy accordingly. Way more factors effecting how that alloy reacts then just hardness.

I believe there is a very informative discussion on pencil testing in a forum, somewhere.

 

[Mitty38]

Rockwell Hardness Scales - Rockwell Hardness Tester

Rockwell Hardness Scales, Rockwell Hardness Tester, Rockwell hardness, Rockwell C hardness, HRC, HRB, HRA, hardness tester

metal-testers.com

Here is what we use at work.

 

[castmiester]

To me a 429421 doesn’t need expansion to work well. That said i too would avoid something like Linotype. I don’t like brittle alloy for hunting.
My primary alloy is range scrap that runs in the 2.5-3% Sb and .75 Sn range. Shot a couple black bears and 5 or so deer with it in a variety of rifles with very good results.

Dont get hung up on BHn. It is just ONE measure of a bullet.

You're saying Lino is right around what I'm casting BHN wise.......

Cast bullet alloys, characteristics of CB alloys, maintenance of CB alloys

according to the chart on Ricks article it's showing linotype being alot harder. Mine being 13BHN and the chart saying 22BHN. I can't see my tester being off that much. I just measured off the Lee chart at below at 8 BHN. Lee told me over the last increment of .079 is pure lead.

So I'm gonna say this tester is good to go.

 

[Bronco72]

Here is a link for Veral Smith's book!

Jacketed Performance with Cast Bullets; Book

Jacketed Performance with Cast Bullets by Veral Smith (3rd Edition) For over three decades "Jacketed Performance with Cast Bullets" has been the world's "go to" authority on cast bullets. Offering years of Veral Smith's extensive cast bullet knowledge, it is jam packed with loads of valuable...

lbtmolds.com

Look like a fire has put an end to his mold making

 

[castmiester]

where did you find this link ?! LOL I looked but it showed not found.

 

[Bronco72]

LBT Molds – Premium Lead Bullet Molds | LBT | Veral Smith

Untouchable Accuracy Product Availability Notice Molds and sizer punches are no longer available. Mold lube, lapping compound and plates, hardness testers, and most calibers of measuring slugs are still available while supplies last. (For measuring slugs please call to check whether the...

lbtmolds.com

Close window about fire and find book in products !

Link work for me but I don't know ????

Hope this works!

 

[castmiester]

No I mean I looked for thier web site and couldn't find it, but thanks.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I like the pencils. They seem plenty accurate and repeatable.

Also cheap!

CW

 

[castmiester]

I used them but never knew how accurate they were.

 

[Hawk]

I use the LBT tester, also.
Seems to work great, but I've nothing to compare it to.

 

[Dusty Bannister]

I have used and like the LBT tester. I have and like the Cabin Tree tester. Very repeatable. I follow the LBT sample prep and have a bullet mold dedicated to use to cast lead samples for testing. I checked accuracy by testing lab pure samples from Bill Ferguson. Slight error at the very soft lead end, which does not bother me at all. A good and well made tool.

 

[Bronco72]

In their web site click on products! At the bottom of the list shown in the window is his book !

Jacketed Performance with Cast Bullets Book​

 

[Bronco72]

Here is a screen shot!

Screenshot

Captured with Lightshot

prntscr.com

 

[castmiester]

gotta call I guess... can't purchase online. I see where to go. But no option to click on to purchase

 

[Rick]

Veral went and got himself old. Plus, a year or so ago his shop burnt down and put an end to mold making. I've heard (second hand) that he plans on continuing to make lube, the book or the harness tester I'm not sure of.

 

[castmiester]

Veral went and got himself old. Plus, a year or so ago his shop burnt down and put an end to mold making. I've heard (second hand) that he plans on continuing to make lube, the book or the harness tester I'm not sure of.

That's a shame, I really dig his moulds. Venting for the Sprue plate, cutout on the pour holes.... really nice. Definitely want his book. Looks like you have to call for the book.