BULLET HARDNESS for BLACK POWDER CARTRIDGE RIFLES
The Black Powder Cartridge News|Winter 2020
HISTORICAL INFORMATION ABOUT BLACK POWDER CARTRIDGE RIFLES
Rick Moritz
BULLET HARDNESS for BLACK POWDER CARTRIDGE RIFLES

After purchasing my first Creedmoor rifle, I did not feel like I was obtaining the type of performance I desired. I was using the rifle for Black Powder Cartridge Target Rifle matches at distances ranging from 200 to 1,000 yards. So, I started a quest to determine if my loading procedures were correct, including velocity, primers, lube and bullet hardness.

Over a period of years, I looked at available historical information in an effort to glean what our predecessors had used to compete in matches over 100 years ago. Specifically, I focused on bullet hardness, sometimes known as “temper.” As is commonly known, lead bullets can be made harder by the addition of tin, antimony and/or arsenic. Antimony is more efficient in increasing hardness, but tin is more commonly used in Black Powder Cartridge Rifle (BPCR) shooting. There are some historical references to the use of mercury as a lead hardening agent, however, I would not suggest using it since it is considered a hazardous item. After digging, reading and doing a bit of research into bullet hardness this is what I have found.

My Creedmoor rifle is a Shiloh Sharps with a 30-inch, extra-heavy barrel (No. 6 Winchester barrel equivalent, 1.30 inches tapering to 1.25 inches) chambered in .45-90. The weight of the rifle on the official Raton scale is 14.5 pounds. This is slightly less than the allowable 15 pounds. For the longer distances (900 and 1,000 yards), I add a leather cheekpiece to aid in aligning my eye with the tang sight. With the cheekpiece addition, I am still able to make weight.

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