Reloading manual for hard cast

[Jellybean]

I wouldn't criticize anyone about the term "hard cast" or "hardcast", they are marketing terms and are often used.

There are subtle differences between "soft" swaged lead bullets and bullets that are cast "hard" or heat treated after casting, mostly in how hard you can push them. More importantly is how they are sized and the way they are lubed. But you can use the Lyman manual pretty much for any of the above as long as you follow the first rule of reloading-start low and work your way up.

If you are trying to find data for your exact bullet that may be a little harder to accomplish. Lyman has dropped many of their old time bullets from their latest manual and included other mold manufacturers versions, which may or may not be of any help to you. Laser Cast had printed a manual years ago which might have more data for specific commercial bullets than the Lyman, but I've never read one and can't say for sure. I also don't know how their "other" information, if there is any, would compare. I have seen them for sale at Amazon from time to time, you might get lucky.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Just be aware that the loads in the Speer and Hornady (and several others) are for soft alloy swaged lead bullets and these bullets cannot be pushed very hard without leading eventually.

 

[arjay]

I haven't used any swaged bullets in a number of years,but I seem to remember that they start to lead between 700-800 fps.

 

[Harrison]

I haven't used any swaged bullets in a number of years,but I seem to remember that they start to lead between 700-800 fps.

Not true: if they have a decent lube and are sized to the barrel properly. Early factory ammo for Sharps buffalo rifles were swaged and shot at velocities in the 1100-1300 fps range without severe leading. 22rimfire bullets are soft swaged bullets and they routinely run between 1000fps and over 1100 fps without leading.

 

[noylj]

1) Most commercial swaged bullets use 92/6/2 alloy and aren't that soft.
2) Most water-quenching hardness is lost at the bearing surface if the bullet is sized.
3) Compared to copper jacketing, there is NO difference in loading pure lead or type metal--all are almost equally soft compared to copper.
4) If one can't work up a load, don't reload.
5) I shoot many swaged bullets up to 1500 fps without leading. I really like the Hornady .38 Cowboy 140gn L-RNFP in my .38 Supers
6) Trying beats listening to "experts" 99 out of 100 times
7) If you don't know the barrel's groove diameter and how it relates to lead bullet size, don't use lead bullets.

 

[Pigirondan]

I use a manual from Oregon Trail laser-cast bullets.

 

[M&PUSER]

Does anyone know of a reloading manual that caters more to hard cast? I have an old Lyman that has some hard cast recipes but not many. I have 5 others but they have very little info. on hard cast or lead. Specifically for the 32 cal. guns and also 38 special. Thanks.

Oregon Trail Laser Cast Bullets has an excellent one. Free with some purchasing quantities.

 

[Pigirondan]

Oregon Trail Laser Cast Bullets has an excellent one. Free with some purchasing quantities.

What caught my eye in the Oregon Trail loading manual was one of their recommendations for .38 Special 158 grain SWC...5 grains of Unique!!!

 

[arjay]

What caught my eye in the Oregon Trail loading manual was one of their recommendations for .38 Special 158 grain SWC...5 grains of Unique!!!

Thats my standard 38 load for a k frame,a bit annoying in a j though.

 

[arjay]

Not true: if they have a decent lube and are sized to the barrel properly. Early factory ammo for Sharps buffalo rifles were swaged and shot at velocities in the 1100-1300 fps range without severe leading. 22rimfire bullets are soft swaged bullets and they routinely run between 1000fps and over 1100 fps without leading.

That was my experience with the stuff produced by Speer and hornady before we could get decently cast bullets.

 

[mtgianni]

1) Most commercial swaged bullets use 92/6/2 alloy and aren't that soft.
2) Most water-quenching hardness is lost at the bearing surface if the bullet is sized.
3) Compared to copper jacketing, there is NO difference in loading pure lead or type metal--all are almost equally soft compared to copper.
4) If one can't work up a load, don't reload.
5) I shoot many swaged bullets up to 1500 fps without leading. I really like the Hornady .38 Cowboy 140gn L-RNFP in my .38 Supers
6) Trying beats listening to "experts" 99 out of 100 times
7) If you don't know the barrel's groove diameter and how it relates to lead bullet size, don't use lead bullets.

1] All commercial swedged I know of is pure lead, most commercial cast is taracore alloy, 2/6/92.
2] water dropped or oven quenched both penetrate deeper than the skin surface as I have measured by two hardness testers Cabintree and LBT.
There is a huge difference between working up loads for pure and type metals
7] if you don't read anything else memorize #7.

 

[noylj]

So, Science has changed since I tested water-quenched bullets in the late '70s before I stopped sizing any cast bullet, ever. Back than, the bearing surface lost the hardness gained from water quenching.
EVERY company I have contacted about their swaged bullets have said they use 92/6/2, so I figured they knew what they were talking about. Glad you know and they were lying to me.