Hunting bullet alloy and hardness.

[Gun5tuff]

Thank you BCSTEVE, I have never seen a more complete answer to a question as this reference to the thereloadersnetwork. I will have to review it again and take some notes.
Peter

 

[maltextract]

I’ve taken deer with powder coated .30-30 lee C309-170F bullets. I used my rifle lead mix of 10# of lead 5# of wheel weights, 1/2# of 1/1 and 1/2# of Lino. This makes a decent bullet that expandsish it basically flattens and spreads out a bit but not crazy expansion. Crazy penetration yes. Shot placement as always is key.

 

[jethunter]

Yes, basically. I use a bin instead of a bucket so I can dunk in the tray flat and not bang the bullets together too much while they’re still “wet” from powder coating. I based my method from some charts and videos I’ve seen with quenching before or after. See this video, that’s how I decided on what method to use.

https://thereloadersnetwork.com/2018/11/05/does-cast-bullet-hardness-change-after-powder-coating/

Water quenching hardens a thin surface layer on the bullet surface, it doesn't have any effect on overall bullet performance on game. A harder surface layer on a lead bullet could prevent lead fouling in some circumstances - but if the bullet powder coated I don't see any useful reason to water quench it too.

 

[just having some fun]

if you want softer bullets when you cast them .. air cool bullets on a cloth for a lower bhn

 

[bcsteve]

Water quenching hardens a thin surface layer on the bullet surface, it doesn't have any effect on overall bullet performance on game. A harder surface layer on a lead bullet could prevent lead fouling in some circumstances - but if the bullet powder coated I don't see any useful reason to water quench it too.

You obviously know more about cast bullets than I do. Like I said, this is solely based on internet and YouTube research. Water quenching seems to be an accepted method to harden cast bullets.

 

[jethunter]

You obviously know more about cast bullets than I do. Like I said, this is solely based on internet and YouTube research. Water quenching seems to be an accepted method to harden cast bullets.

Water quenching does harden the surface of cast bullets but the increased hardness doesn't go very deep.

 

[bcsteve]

Water quenching does harden the surface of cast bullets but the increased hardness doesn't go very deep.

Good to know.