What is Lyman #2 like as an alloy?

Canuck Bob

Active Member
What do past and present users of Lyman #2 think about the alloy. I'm hoping to discuss its attributes as a cast bullet alloy only. I realize that to many or most casters it is a terrible waste of tin. I do not argue that but maybe we could suspend that discussion for this thread. My plan is to alloy up some Lyman #2 or nearly so, range from 94-3-3 to 90-5-5, with some arsenic for heat treating. Base mission is 30-32 caliber medium pressure rimmed cartridges on the range, 1800 fps to start with GG GC bullets. There is no hunting planned but I'm an old hunter and ammo should be deer unfriendly ammo.

How does it fill?
How cranky is the alloy to use?
Any problems PCing them?
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
I use a version of it from time to time to enhance accuracy.
it fills out like a champ, and does it over a wide range of alloy/mold temps.
you just want to run it on the low side to avoid oxidizing the tin, I like to keep some kitty litter on top of mine to also help fight that tendency.

never tried PC'ing it but it has a super smooth finish to the outside of the bullet.
 

Ian

Notorious member
It also casts very "fat". For most things it is complete overkill, but if you have it, it's a great alloy to use for most everything.
 

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
I never needed it until this weekend: to Get my Old Lyman 287221 to cast to it's full size! It actually did better at .288" so I'm happy but I feel it make the bullets a bit more expensive :rolleyes:
 

Canuck Bob

Active Member
Thanks guys, with help on the other alloy thread I now realize I overestimated my ability to alloy #2. However I am still very interested in my original questions and #2 in general.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Historically, Lyman recommended their #2 because it was very user friendly and hard to screw up unless you over heated the pot. You may have a harder time trying to HT it, its liquidous temperature is pretty low, but why would you want to? Not a clue on PCing anything. It is as good of hunting bullet alloy from 1600 - 1800 f/s there is, cast them, load them, shoot animals with them. Good expansion, not too brittle for having that much antimony in it.
 

Canuck Bob

Active Member
I've been doing some forum research. There are lots of folks who use store bought certified #2 alloy only for a lot of their casting. It looks like a large run of Nearly Lyman #2 is possible, 95-2.5-2.5. Any reason this alloy might suck?

From research one of the metallurgic features of a balanced alloy is the equal tin and antimony. I can't remember most of it but came away convinced that a premium lead bullet alloy should be balanced, or eutectic (?).
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Getting a consensus on what is a good alloy is tough. Many of us have multiple alloys we use, some generals purpose and some specialty.
While I don't use Lyman 2 I can assure you that if cost wasnt an issue I would strongly consider it.
Like Ric said, casts like a dream, holds together on impact for hunting. What isn't to like?
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Brad is correct, it is expensive compare to other alloys you can make. Since I can't walk more than 1/4 mile anymore, and need three porters to carry out anything I shoot, I don't use it much. I still do night guard duty at lambing pens and shoot vermin, but not more than a few coyotes, pumas, badgers and maybe a bear very rarely. So far the wolves are not around the lighted pens. So, how many do I cast? Maybe a pound or two for a whole year's sight in and use.
 

popper

Well-Known Member
Good 'always works' alloy that takes PC fine. Typically you don't need any tin, it helps fill out some and can give good target properties. I started with it, then went to just Sb, added some copper. 30 cal @ 1800 2.5 Sb should work fine.
 

Canuck Bob

Active Member
popper this adding copper line seems to be fairly new. What advantage comes from it and how does a guy go about it? I think I read somewhere about resisting rotational stresses but didn't pay much attention.
 

RBHarter

West Central AR
Copper added makes the alloy tougher .
Lay science , it makes the tin stickier , softens the antimony tails , and does it without disruption of the hardness .
Basically you can have an 18 bhn bullet that works like a 22 BHN in the barrel and a 14 bhn on target with .35% or so added to 50/50 WW/20-1 .
 

popper

Well-Known Member
Written up on the 'other' cast site. Gives me a little over MOA @ 200, jacketed fps with cast (308W). MOA @ 100 from 300 BO PB, jacketed fps.
 

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
Powder coat is THE cure for Lymanitis.

Can the PC coating be put on thicker or is it put on and baked in stages. Seems mine increases the bullet diameter close to but not exactly .002"
Can a second coat be applied after baking on the first?
 

Ian

Notorious member
You can actually bake the first coat just until it begins to flow, cool the bullets, put on a second coat, and bake to full-cure. I've done two, cured coats back to back a few times, it starts to get a little lumpy/uneven in spots but the bullets shoot fine.
 

johnnyjr

Well-Known Member
I want to hear more about the good benefits of Lyman no 2. I've got a few lbs of different alloy laying around. Not sure what it really is but plan to use it for 38/357 as that's not so picky on what goes out the barrel.
My main interest is for my 243 bullets. I want a more diffident knowledge of what it is without dicking around with a little of this and a little of this...I'm an old man and ain't got time to dick around.. thanks John
 

JonB

Halcyon member

johnnyjr

Well-Known Member
Very informative. Some I admit to not understanding. But that's my aging brain..so from what I was able to sort out is the Lyman no 2 is not necessarily needed. It's better to use the Elmer Keith mix,even in rifle loads as long as they aren't excessive..
 

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
Most factory made molds are cut (diameter wise) for either Lyman #2 or Linotype. That's why they tend to cast undersized bullets, when using WW alloy or softer.

I quit buy RCBS molds, for that reason. I want/need oversize bullets. When the custom makers came into play, undersize molds are a thing of the past, for me. Bigger is better, I can size down, if need be. Hard bullets are fine for paper punching. Not so much for hunting.

First rule of casting: The harder the alloy the larger it drops bullets.