Alloy sure makes a difference for the Sharps!

[Maillemaker]

So I bought some tin and made up some 1:20 tin:lead alloy bullets to try in my Pedersoli Sharps. To date, my load workups with it using the Pedersoli 317-541 bullet using pure lead have not been show-stoppingly great.

I don't know if it is the lighter weight (515 grains instead of 530 grains) or the harder alloy or both, but the tin bullets shoot much better.

https://i.imgur.com/UviRwDbl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/e1RXkx6l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/lTnAoMEl.jpg

[Maillemaker]

https://i.imgur.com/M69s8Xll.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/LGE62lAl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/jcyHf8hl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/AHmqL7hl.jpg

[Maillemaker]

https://i.imgur.com/zRD0eXNl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vLz0uG0l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/c9OyOJXl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/XXWIZ1rl.jpg

[Maillemaker]

https://i.imgur.com/mDDnEvfl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/LDFylnUl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/VTEnotnl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/9Z6DOFZl.jpg

[Maillemaker]

https://i.imgur.com/TQ2LrvWl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/eytbOnul.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/0RxZ1y3l.jpg


It looks like I got good group spikes at 30 grains, 40 grains, 44 grains, and 54 grains. I am going to make up more rounds with these charges and confirm the best performer.

https://i.imgur.com/zuDTREb.png

Steve

[Kevin Tinny]

Thanks for a great and very informative posting.
Kevin Tinny

[Bruce Cobb 1723V]

Did you clean between shots? or groups? I've always heard that there is always 2 loads that get the same great groups. One light one and one heavy. This kind of supports that. Thanks

[Maillemaker]

I brushed the bore and cleaned with a patch after every 5 shot group.

Steve

[Maillemaker]

Well, I got back to the range today, and it looks like 40 grains is the winner.




30
40
45
54


Group 1
0.972
0.868
0.626
0.907


Group 2
1.346
0.415
0.764
0.946


Group 3
1.512
0.663
0.601
0.773


Average
1.277
0.649
0.664
0.875




Steve

[Lou Lou Lou]

Looks like more spam

[RaiderANV]

Spammer sent to the bad place. =}

[ballac]

do you know what the hardness of the 1:20 mix is?

[Kevin Tinny]

do you know what the hardness of the 1:20 mix is?

Hello:
If your lead and tin are pure, a 1:20, tin:lead brinnell hardness
(BHN) will be between 9.75 and 10.4.
Regards,
Kevin Tinny

[Maillemaker]

That's good to know, Kevin! I'm getting a lead hardness tester for Christmas, and I want to try and come up with an equivalent wheel weight alloy mix.

Steve

[Kevin Tinny]

Thanks:

The NRA's: CAST BULLETS and "SUPPLEMENT" by Col. E. H. Harrison, is a treasure trove of information that includes AMERICAN RIFLEMAN articles and DOPE BAG questions. Information in it is authoritative and often debunks the semi-scientific stuff seen widely on the INTERNET.

As a grey beard once counseled: "Get the facts before the facts get you."

Regards,
Kevin Tinny