WW mix with Pb for minies?

**Eterry** · 01-27-2019

I have in mind seeing if i can push a minie to faster speed to do some long range shooting; 300-500 yards. My current load of 60grs fffg behind a pure lead 500 gr minie shoots 3MOA @ 100 yards if I do my part, but falls off at 200.

If I mix 10% wheel weights/90% lead can I push them to higher velocity before the skirt deforms? That's what I think causes my group spread. Maybe increase to 20%, see how far this goes.

Has anyone done this, heard of this?

Thoughts, comments, opinion?

Thanks.

**John Holland** · 01-27-2019

The very best way to learn is to just go out and do it!

But, to return to your question, what barrel are you using? Is it an "off the shelf" barrel, and if so, which one, is it a custom made barrel, does it have progressive depth rifling, what is the twist? All of these things, among others, will play into the accuracy you are seeking. As for adding 10% WW, you will probably make a projectile hard enough to withstand proper obturation into the grooves.

**Eterry** · 01-27-2019

Originally Posted by John Holland

The very best way to learn is to just go out and do it!

But, to return to your question, what barrel are you using? Is it an "off the shelf" barrel, and if so, which one, is it a custom made barrel, does it have progressive depth rifling, what is the twist? All of these things, among others, will play into the accuracy you are seeking. As for adding 10% WW, you will probably make a projectile hard enough to withstand proper obturation into the grooves.

It is an off the shelf 63 Zouave repro. I thought I'd start with the things that don't cost much, go from there.

**Maillemaker** · 01-27-2019

If you are interested in shooting out beyond 100 yards, you might consider experimenting with paper patched "Pritchett" style bullets with an internal plug. Noe Bullet Molds makes a mold for the bullet and the plug plate to make plugs for them.

Steve

**Hal** · 01-28-2019

Hard to say. I'm certainly no expert and what I am about to say has no scientific data to back it up. Having said all that, I used to think Stick-on wheel weights were "soft lead", and they are, compared to clip-on wheel weights, but they are still hard compared to pure lead. I don't recall the BHN, but I made some minnies out of SOWW and pushed them with about 50 grains of 1-1/2F and they tumbled at 50 yds like like you wouldn't believe. You could count the lube grooves in the pigeon board.

**marv762** · 02-12-2019

i shoot a soft lead minnie out to 200 yards. my skirmish load is 50 grains of ff goex. keeps them in a nice group on a 10" target that i can see in my peep sight.

**jonk** · 02-13-2019

I am a firm believer in the idea that a minie skirt should be soft enough to crush with finger pressure, or else it won't obdurate and seal the bore properly and do what it was designed to do. Best way to ensure that is pure lead.

This said: a very small amount of tin (40:1 or what not) probably won't hurt that effect and will help mold fill out. If you choose to get your tin from wheelwheights, beware: there is also antimony in there that can make brittle bullets that crack skirts.

In the Crimea the brits were shooting minie balls out to over 1000 yards. Pure lead. I see no reason to deviate from this practice. Try it if you want, but my experience of using anything with any hardness in it was miserable.

**Bob Lintner** · 02-13-2019

The only minie skirt I ever cared about was on a well built hot babe! You had to know that was coming! When I was shooting a Euroarms Zouave , I used dead soft lead, mostly plumbers lead or roof sheeting. Bullet was a RCBS and it shot well for me. I used Goex 3F. Good shooting.
Bob