I bought four hundred 358429 type bullets from a usually good caster with quick delivery also. But instead of 14-15 BNH as advertised, I was able to easily scratch them with my finger nail and a few had fill out problems.

The caster said for me to return them for refund, credit replacement- easier said than done since we have a stay at home order and I’m not young and at risk around public.

I had intended to push these bullets with 6.0 grs Unique in 357 Magnum cases. Velocity should be approaching 1,000 FPS. Based on your experience, would a bullet you’re able to scratch lead excessively at that velocity (1,000 FPS)? They are .358 and my Ruger Blackhawk works very well using this diameter. I’ve pushed wheel weights in .358 diameter at 1,200 FPS with no significant leading.

If you think they won’t lead too much, then I just may keep them for these mid range level loads.

I doubt the leading will be excessive at 1,000 fps, assuming your OCD is not overwhelming.

That’s what Hoppes and a brass bore brush are for!

I highly doubt you're going to see leading at 1,000 FPS even with softer lead. Those aren't exactly screaming out of there.

Update - the caster advised that he sent me a refund and told me to take my time returning the bullets in light of the stay at home stuff ...excellent and reputable seller, God bless them! I respect that he had an off day on the bullets since their quality is typically excellent. I will order from them again based on their excellent customer service and reputation.

I'd try a variety of charge weights, going both below and above the arbitrary 6 grs. (assuming 6 grs. is not maximum) at .2 grain per lot of six-ten rounds. Shoot at 25 yards from a good benchrest checking for accuracy and possible leading after each group. You should find one or two charge weights that do better than the others, where the alloy hardness and charge weight are compatible. Shoot those again once or twice for confirmation.

I really don't know how reliable the fingernail scratch method works in determining hardness. It may work well, but I've used a tester for many years. Good luck-

Make a deal with the shipper to keep the bullets & slow them down? Shipping is a lot. That would make both ends feel better.

Leading is about bullet fit not so much alloy hardness. At 1000fps pressures in 357mag cases, your bullets may actually be too hard if the fit is wrong. Check the cyl throats, they should just allow the bullet to be pushed thru with moderate thumb pressure. If you can not, the throats are too small & will size the bullet down to what ever that dimension is. Then you get gas leak around the bullet as it enters the bbl & that is where a softer bullet helps. it may bump up to fill the bore.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

If you want a less scientific test a #2 pencil is about 15 BHN. File the graphite tip squared off and push it along the surface of the bullet at an angle. The softer material should scrape off.

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-Matt

Hardness is much over rated .
If they fit your revolvers throats , are .358" in size , have some half way decent lube on them , you should be just fine with 6.0 grs. Unique .
Press one or two from the chamber into the throat ...if they slip through with just a little clearance ...you should be good .

I cast with straight COWW for decades because I had a free unlimited supply...my supplier retired from the tire business and I had to stretch my COWW's with pure lead....50/50 mix makes a much better handgun bullet...I wish I had started doing this years ago .
Gary

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More important than BHN for cast bullets is bullet to gun fit. I have driven BHN 11-12 alloy bullets to magnum velocities (125 gr LRNFP to approx, 1,300 fps, and some 160 LSWC to 1,150+ fps) with minimal (very minimal) leading. Good fit, good lube trumps BHN...

For my revolvers I slug the barrels and measure the cylinder throats to make sure the groove diameter of the barrel is smaller than the throats and to find a good sizing diameter (I size all my cast revolver bullets to the same diameter as the throats).

I was assuming he had good fit; a .358" bullet is the best diameter for use in at least 50% of .38 Special and .357 Magnum revolvers. I have a few that do better with a slightly smaller diameter bullet. Hardness still plays a role, however, something easily measured on a 25 yard target.

Granted, a soft bullet that fits and has a BHN of around 10-12 BHN usually works well at any practical velocity. But, often a harder bullet that doesn't lead will also shoot accurately. I still like to experiment with all this and I'm sure some of you do as well. Few hard and fast rules here.

Would you share the seller with us so we can send him some business? Sounds like a good guy to deal with.

Improper filling out is to me a lot more problematic accuracywise.
As mentionned by many posters above,if the bullet fits it wouldn't have leaded;I shoot 38-55 and 45-70plain base bullets that are easily scratched at between 1250 and 1400fps without leading.
But I think that the settlement you dealt with your supplier is a good one and shows that he is worth buying from again.