Continuing development with the .44-77.

[Kurt]

Jim,

This will be the last post I will make with my bullet study.

Below is the Lee lead hardness test chart and 4 bullets that are 45 Prolate bullets like Brent Danielson uses. I have a mould like his.
The first on the left was cast using 1/16 lead/tin alloy. Two and Three is my 1/18 and the forth is 1/17 L/T/A alloy.
The Lee chart with the 1/18 L/T/A makes an impression of 0.08
This he smidge of antimony does not have much effect on the hardness between 1/16 T/L but it holds the setback.
What I look for when I search for the best obturation with the least nose setback for my use (and this is caliber specific, The .40 reacts different than the .44 or .45's) with the powder charges I use. The 1/17 on the far right I use for the .44-90 bn.
When the ogives hold their shape like those 4 in the photo they will fly as well as the loads you use.

End of Alloy testing......they cause too much disagreement......Those 11 3# coffee cans full of bullets filled several 6QT dutch ovens getting reclaimed

Kurt