Brinell hardness slug numbers among current Manufacturers

[sonnysan]

Does anyone have Brinell scale hardness numbers for NSA, ZAN, H&N, Apollo, JSB, Javelin, etc. (5 - 22HB)? Casting my own slugs and want to compare local lead to the big boys. If no one has them I'll find out eventually since I have all of the above slugs! All the people I've talked think softer is better without anything to back it up. Fingernail test is not good enough:

Brinell hardness test - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Y6YH3W/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=A2FHYLJ7U0IFZY&psc=1

 

[harrympope]

when I had my 50 texan I shot nearly pure lead (30-1) up to linotype with no accuracy difference noted. I just had to size properly as lino casts larger that lead tin alloys.
as far as some telling me the 23 bhn bullet would wear out my barrel I call foooey.
my powder burner 30-06 has over 25,000 rounds of linotype down the tube and still looks beautiful.
I am a bullet caster first and an airgun gun as a secondary money saving hobby.but I dint seem to save any money!

 

[Ydunn.223]

Does anyone have Brinell scale hardness numbers for NSA, ZAN, H&N, Apollo, JSB, Javelin, etc. (5 - 22HB)? Casting my own slugs and want to compare local lead to the big boys. If no one has them I'll find out eventually since I have all of the above slugs! All the people I've talked think softer is better without anything to back it up. Fingernail test is not good enough:

Brinell hardness test - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Y6YH3W/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=A2FHYLJ7U0IFZY&psc=1

I would look at a better BHN tester one like the Cabin Tree tester
yes it is more pricy and not cheap but it gives accurate readings.

 

[EdinGa]

I've tested JSB Knockouts in .177 and .22 with Staedtler pencils and they are pure lead. They expand well at even at lower velocities. I do all of my air rifle casting with pure lead. .25 is the biggest I shoot though.

 

[harrympope]

I would look at a better BHN tester one like the Cabin Tree tester
yes it is more pricy and not cheap but it gives accurate readings.

yes the lee is awkward to use but quite accurate.The Cabine Tree was developed by my friend Jim and is easierer to use and accurate.
The LBT tester is no longer available but also a very good tool.

 

[DesertSilver]

when I had my 50 texan I shot nearly pure lead (30-1) up to linotype with no accuracy difference noted. I just had to size properly as lino casts larger that lead tin alloys.
as far as some telling me the 23 bhn bullet would wear out my barrel I call foooey.
my powder burner 30-06 has over 25,000 rounds of linotype down the tube and still looks beautiful.
I am a bullet caster first and an airgun gun as a secondary money saving hobby.but I dint seem to save any money!

Your 30-06 has much harder metal it's made from. It has to handle way way more pressure and heat than a airgun would ever see.

 

[harrympope]

lead doesn't wear barrels,its the heat.Pretty sure my 1903 Springfield and its 1918 barrel steel is no better than airforce texan barrels.