Hardness Of Military Wheel Weights

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  • Last Post 30 June 2019
mashburn posted this 28 June 2019

A couple of months ago I posted a discussion about the hardness of the Military surplus wheel weights that I had purchased. I made the statement that they seemed to be much harder than the old wheel weights. When I melted the WW's they seemed to contain a lot of Tin. I posted a discussion about testing the BHN with drawing pencils and the experiment seemed to be right on.The BHN of the Military wheel weights was 21. With this way of testing the hardness I tested old ww's and the BHN was13. I'm going to buy some more of these Military surplus wheel weights. I think this alloy is what I've been looking for for the .17 caliber experiment.

Mashburn

David a. Cogburn

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John Alexander posted this 28 June 2019

Don't buy the old conventional wisdom that smaller calibers naturally require harder alloys.  As far as I can tell it is pure BS.

Right now I am shooting 25:1 in my 22s. Of course giving it a try and finding out is best.

Linotype wheel weights? Great find for a caster. They probably cost the military $100 each.

Good luck with the 17 caliber project.

John

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Brodie posted this 29 June 2019

Perhaps you should take some of these magic wheel weights to a junk yard or to someone who has a test gun ( can't think of the name of it right now), and find out what is really in them.  The reason so many have trouble with reclaimed shot is because it has so little tin in it and so much antimony, this may have a bearing on the hardness of your military wheel weights.

B.E.Brickey

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mashburn posted this 30 June 2019

Hello Brodie,

When I melted the weights, it appeared to be lots of tin that floated to the top. When I fluxed and stirred it appeared to alloy real nice. I will be casting some bullets in the next few days and then I'll go from there.

Mashburn

David a. Cogburn

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mashburn posted this 30 June 2019

Hello John,

Thanks for your reply. I'm more interested in producing higher velocity cast bullets for hunting than I am for paper punching. I want to make a squirrel rifle out of this little jewel if possible. Of course I still want pin point accuracy. My plans at the present are to do some powder coated.17 bullets. I quit Prairie Dog shooting several years ago and my little rifle has been setting idle .My health has held me back for about 2 months and maybe now I can get back to business somewhat.

Mashburn

David a. Cogburn

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