Lee lead hardness tester

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All handloading data posted on Full-Bore UK from 23/2/2021 must reference the published pressure tested data it was sourced from, posts without such verification will be removed.
Any existing data without such a reference should treated as suspect and not used.

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Forum rules
All handloading data posted on Full-Bore UK from 23/2/2021 must reference the published pressure tested data it was sourced from, posts without such verification will be removed.
Any existing data without such a reference should be treated as suspect and not used.

Use reloading information posted here at your own risk. This forum (http://www.full-bore.co.uk) is not responsible for any property damage or personal injury as a consequence of using reloading data posted here, the information is individual members findings and observations only. Always verify the load data and be absolutely sure your firearm can handle the load, especially older ones. If in doubt start low and work your way up.
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Alpha1
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Re: Lee lead hardness tester

#11 Post by Alpha1 »

dodgyrog wrote: Thu May 19, 2022 8:03 pm 60 years shooting is NOT enough for me!
I have had at least 45 years at it and I am still addicted.
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Re: Lee lead hardness tester

#12 Post by Dark Skies »

Alpha1 wrote: Wed May 18, 2022 10:52 pm Is the Lee lead hardness tester any good is it worth buying. What are you guys using to work out your alloys for casting for full bore rifle and underlevers. I don't do black powder.
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Re: Lee lead hardness tester

#13 Post by FredB »

I don't know about the Lee, but I have an old hardness tester which pushes a needle into the alloy and gives a reading on a clock gauge. After thirty years of use, I know that 25;1 gives a reading of 32 and that pure lead gives zero. When recycling scrap lead, the devise allows me to determine whether the lead is really soft or if it should be hardened up a bit to use in cartridge loads. Despite the readings not being related to a proper Brinell number, the device is very useful.
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Re: Lee lead hardness tester

#14 Post by Dellboy »

i have aquired a lot of lead scrap which i believe contained a fair few kilos of range scrap and damaged pulled heads (probably including fmj) i want to use it for 12 bore slug and 44 ball .
should i be conceren about hardness and ideally what mix should it be ..
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Re: Lee lead hardness tester

#15 Post by dromia »

Ideally it should be pure lead with at most 2/100s tin.

If you can't scratch it with a fingernail, rings when you drop it on a concrete floor or when you flatten a lead ball with a hammer and the edge has cracks in it then it is way too hard for shooting use.

Slug especially needs to be soft lest there be any choke on the gun.

Soft lead bullets Good!

Hard lead bullets Bad!

Now repeat 'till it sticks in the head!
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Re: Lee lead hardness tester

#16 Post by ukrifleman »

SDC18768.JPG
I use a Lee hardness tester to check cast batches and it can be a PITA to align the 20X magnifier on the indent.
My no cost solution.
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Re: Lee lead hardness tester

#17 Post by Dellboy »

ukrifleman wrote: Sun Jul 16, 2023 10:10 am SDC18768.JPG
I use a Lee hardness tester to check cast batches and it can be a PITA to align the 20X magnifier on the indent.
My no cost solution.
ukrifleman
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Re: Lee lead hardness tester

#18 Post by phaedra1106 »

dodgyrog wrote: Thu May 19, 2022 8:03 pm 60 years shooting is NOT enough for me!
Only because you still haven't managed to hit anything 😂
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Re: Lee lead hardness tester

#19 Post by dodgyrog »

Oh that's harsh.
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Re: Lee lead hardness tester

#20 Post by Graham M »

phaedra1106 wrote: Thu Jul 20, 2023 12:51 pm Only because you still haven't managed to hit anything 😂
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