I'm beginning to collect the equipment I need to start casting my own bullets, and I didn't find my question answered in the FAQ's. I understand the reason for using higher BHN alloys for high pressure/velocity calibers, but is there any reason I can't use the same alloy for lower pressure/velocity calibers? I plan to buy molds to cast bullets for both my 450 Marlin 1895 and for 45 ACP and possibly 460 Rowland. If I buy linotype, is that acceptable for all, or is it better for me to use a softer alloy for the pistol calibers? I just thought it would make things less complicated if I could use a single alloy for all my calibers.

You might get a little leading in the handgun, but will have to try and see before deciding if it is tolerable or not. Might work.

Think you can get by with one pile of ingots, but I'd want them softer than linotype.

The real hard "linotype" and a soft allow (wheel weights). Printers haven't been using linotype for many many years, but the name stays and there are alloys offered for sale that are the same hardness..for that matter, lead wheel weights are going the same way.

From the calibers you list, none of them seem to need pure linotype, but something harder than WW's would be good for the .450M, 460R, and possibly a hot loaded 45-70... maybe as low as 1:3 (one unit of hard lead to 3 units of wheel weights). The 45acp doesn't really care so long as the bullets are a little larger than bore diameter (.453" has worked for me).

Most leading mentioned is from undersized hard bullets. Gas blows by the sides, eroding lead and depositing it on the bore. This is why the leading builds up at the REAR of the barrel.

If leading were a matter of being too soft and being driven too fast, the leading would be worse where the bullet goes the fastest..the muzzle.

Most commercial bullets are hard cast;and most shooters seem to prefer hard cast bullets.
The only advantages of soft bullets are better killing of game,and filling the grooves of oversized bores.
In my view,linotype is best used in rifles,when shooting high velocity with gas checks
The worst leading that I ever had,was shooting linotype bullets in my 9mm Luger pistol.
Frank

Okay, thanks for the info. Sounds like I'd be better off using a softer alloy for the pistols. I kind of suspected that. The reason I mentioned linotype is because it is right in the recommended BHN range for my 450 Marlin. I had previously checked for the availability of wheel weights - seems there are a lot of casters in my area. I will be buying lead alloy online to start. So I'll get a 21-22 BHN alloy for the 450 Marlin, and a softer one for the pistols.

You don't need lead that hard for a 450 Marlin. I use alloy between 15BHN and 18BHN in my 45/70's and 458 Win. The key factor is bullet fit!

You don't need lead that hard for a 450 Marlin. I use alloy between 15BHN and 18BHN in my 45/70's and 458 Win. The key factor is bullet fit!

So use slightly oversize bullets in the 15-18 BHN range? So far I've only used locally made (Alaskan bullet makers) hard casts. I'm not sure what kind of alloy they are using, but I haven't had any problems with leading. I've loaded and fired everything from 405 gr. at 2000+ fps to the 500 gr. at about 1750. I'm ready to start casting my own now.

By the way, I have only used RL7 thus far for the 450 Marlin. I'd like to try some other powders, but I haven't yet found much load info for cast bullets. Any recommendation for cast load data?