AFTE Store - HARDNESS AS A CLASS CHARACTERISTIC OF LEAD BULLETS AND BULLET CORES

The customary alloying of lead with various other metals improves its properties for use in bullet manufacturer including its hardness. An inexpensive testing device allows the measurement of BHN hardness of such alloys which can range from 5.0 for pure lead to 22 for linotype occasionally used to make hard cast bullets for centerfire rifles. This substantial variety in lead alloy hardness could serve as a useful and relatively easily measured property in comparing fired and unfired bullets before any elemental analysisis contemplated or undertaken.