#2 Alloy in Lyman Manual - need a comparison

[LSU]

Please compare hardness in #2 Alloy versus S&S .45 ACP LRN 230 grain.

Thanks.

[jepp2]

Lyman #2 is very similar to 92 2 6 alloy that SNS uses. BHN is 16.

link

[LSU]

Thanks Jepp but could you break that down into English with a little simpler explanation?

Also is Lyman #2 a brand name?

Again, thanks for the quick response.

[jepp2]

Lyman #2 was an alloy commonly used. It defines a BHN that can be varied based on who the bullet is quenched. The link I listed:

Description

Hardball Bullet Casting Alloy consists of 2% tin, 6% antimony and 92% lead. Each ingot measure approximately 8-1/2" x 1" x 2" and weighs 6 pounds and has 4 Notched blocks that are easy to cut through on the low sections

This modern version of the old Lyman #2 is an excellent all-around alloy for most handgun bullets and many higher velocity rifle cartridges. The Brinell Hardness of Hardball Alloy is about 16.

Is an alloy commonly available today. It consists of 92% lead, 2% tin, and 6% antimony. Air cooled it normally runs around 16 Brinell hardness number. That is the alloy SNS Casting uses for all of their bullets. It is considered "hard cast" and to get the bullet to obtruate properly requires higher pressure than pure lead. I normally try to run them in the 23K to 30K PSI pressure range.

[dahermit]

Also is Lyman #2 a brand name?

Not in the context to which you refer. Lyman #2 was the name for a formula. Lyman was a major, if not the major authority on bullet casting at one time. The major constituents of bullet alloys (Lead, Tin, and Antimony), could be alloyed virtually in any proportions. The alloys of Lyman #1,#2, and #3 was an attempt to set an arbitrary standard for cast bullet alloys. Lyman #2 was the hardest of the three and other posters have given the make up of that alloy. Lyman would include a sheet with their bullet molds that told how a caster could approximate the Number 2 alloy with so many parts of solder, pure lead and wheel weights, etc. The exact size of bullet as dropped from a Lyman mold was based on Lyman #2.