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Old 07-16-2010, 02:09 PM
canoeguy canoeguy is offline
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Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used? Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used? Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used? Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used? Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used?  
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Default Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used?

Anyone ever test the Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? I have been shooting .22's into a backstop made of a box of old books, and since I have started bullet casting, it came to mind that I may be able to recover the projectiles and melt them down into some other form. I am thinking they may be too soft for pistol bullets (.38 Special at 800 FPS or so), but if they are pure lead they could be used for black powder balls or fishing weights.

Any ideas about how hard .22 projectiles are?

I am also planning on making a bullet trap for my pistol and rifle bullets, with the idea of recovering and casting new bullets. Hmmm.....
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Old 07-16-2010, 02:18 PM
Steve C Steve C is offline
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Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used?  
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No reason not to use them or any lead bullet for that matter. Adjust your hardness by mixing in other lead or alloy.
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Old 07-16-2010, 03:49 PM
Jellybean Jellybean is offline
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I'm not sure what their brinell hardness is but I believe they are relatively soft. They should make good hollow base bullets and buckshot and if sized properly should work O.K. as is. Or as Steve stated you could add a little alloy to make them harder.
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Old 07-16-2010, 04:34 PM
David Sinko David Sinko is offline
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Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used? Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used?  
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I mix everything under the sun from .22 rimfire bullets to airgun pellets and it all goes into the pot together. I use the mixed bag for general purpose handgun bullets. If I'm casting rifle bullets or "serious" handgun bullets I use only wheel weights. And they all get quenched in water.

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Old 07-16-2010, 07:46 PM
canoeguy canoeguy is offline
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Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used? Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used? Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used? Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used? Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used?  
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Thanks for your responses, I think I'll make up a small batch of mixed wheel weights and .22 bullets, cast some .38 158 grain LRN and see what happens.

Where do you guys get your tin to mix with lead? So far, I have only tried straight wheel weight lead which seems to work good for 800 FPS pistol bullets and 1700 FPS rifle bullets with a gas check. I'd like to experiment with some harder bullets.....
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Old 07-19-2010, 08:09 AM
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sourdough44 sourdough44 is offline
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Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used? Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used? Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used? Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used? Brinnell hardness of .22 bullets? Can they be re-used?  
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I also put all lead into the pot for casting, old muzzle-loader balls,sinkers that I may never use etc.. I have some diver weights that are slated to go some day. I have thrown in a few 22 bullets in the past, they don't add up to much though. If I had a supply, in they would go.
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Old 07-20-2010, 12:10 AM
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fredj338 fredj338 is offline
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Most 22lr are about BHN8, a bit harder than pure lead. Fine as is for low vel/pressure 38sp or 45acp. Mix it 50/50 w/ clip on ww for a decent alloy to about 1200fps.
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