Hardening cast bullets

[GunnyMack]

So I have been developing 20ga slug loads , one of which is a full bore lead slug.
I'm shooting these from a 20ga Savage 220, full rifled barrel.
These are leading the bore!
I'm thinking of trying to harden them but I forget the process.
Can I heat and quench? Or am I stuck due to the mix from the manufacturer?
I'm also going to try ALOX on the slugs.

[JimT]

How hard are they?
Too hard can lead, just as too soft can.
Where is the leading occurring?
If it's toward the muzzle they may be running out of lube.

[Rockrat]

If unlubed, you could either heat to about 400 degrees for 30 min and cold water quench or you might try powder coating. If already lubed, then the alox might be the ticket

[GunnyMack]

Leading was full length of the barrel, worse part about mid way.

I didn't think about powder coating! Might be the easiest thing to do.
They have no lube at all.

20230923_183652.jpg

lots of lube holding on the 'rifling '.

I dont know how hard they are, I don't have a tester but they will scratch/dent with a fingernail.

[6pt-sika]

FWIW my slugs are cast from an alloy of 50% clip on wheelweights and 50% pure lead . I do not shoot these in rifled barrels but smoothbore only . Also all of what I load are typically in a shot cup , wrapped with mylar or wrapped with of all things masking tape . And for what I do with them it works adequately. As to heat treat or water drop I’ve water dropped a few times and saw no difference in accuracy . Can’t say I’ve shot a deer with a water dropped slug either as I certainly don’t remmember using one other than in testing .

[TedH]

Powder coating would be the easiest solution.

[JFE]

Have you tried slugging the barrel ?

Maybe the slugs you’re using are undersized.

[GunnyMack]

Have you tried slugging the barrel ?

Maybe the slugs you’re using are undersized.

No, I don't have any round balls large enough to slug a 20 gauge!

[Rockrat]

Acutally, the Lee liquid alox would be the easiest to try, followed by powder coating, Both pretty easy though. Powder coating less messy and quicker.

[GunnyMack]

I used stick lube from my lubrasizer, the 3 I shot was about 1³/⁴ group at 50 but I still had leading of the bore. Next step is powder coating.

[JFE]

[quote=JFE post_id=979245 time=<a href="tel:1696200295">1696200295</a> user_id=782]
Have you tried slugging the barrel ?

Maybe the slugs you’re using are undersized.

No, I don't have any round balls large enough to slug a 20 gauge!
[/quote]

Perhaps try a barrel sinker?

[GunnyMack]

That's a thought I didn't have!