Max. velocity with LBT soft, pure lead bullets and gas check?

[jpuke]

Veral,

I like to hunt deer with paper-patched bullets (RCBS 45-405-FN mold) cast from pure lead.  I run these at 1830 fps from a 45/70 rifle and I'm wondering - how close I can get to that load with an unpatched bullet with LBT soft lube and a gas check?  I have LBT Soft on hand but I've never tried it with pure lead bullets. 

Thanks for the help!

[Veral]

  You might get there if your bore is smooth, but as a rule I expect 1600 fps or slightly over would be max in most rifles.  Far better to add enough tin to get hardness up to maybe 8.  20-1 is excellent, then velocity in that range will be easy and weight retention in game will be far better, but most important accuracy will be far superior to pure lead.  Pure lead will just about turn into a round ball in venison with that speed, and a light one at that, as a lot of lead will be shed.  20-1 will retain most of its weight and expand beautifuly.

[jpuke]

I plan on using your lapping compound to smooth out the bore on the Marlin 1895 that I have.  The paper patched bullets have performed beautifully in that cartridge for the last three deer that I shot with it.  Perfect 45 cal entry, and about a 1.5" exit with zero meat loss.  The two that I shot with a 30-06 this year both lost more meat than I care to lose so I'm going back to the 45/70. 

Now that I think about it, my PPB's aren't pure lead.  I use 10 lbs pure lead with one lb 50:50 bar solder. 
0.5 lb Tin /11 lb total alloy x 100 = 4.5 %,  which is almost 20:1. 

Thanks again,
Jeremy

[Veral]

That bottom line explains your delightful success story!

  That alloy can be driven much faster than pure lead when gas checked and makes excellent hunting bullets for almost any hunting caliber.  Just drive them as fast as you can and retaine accuracy and you'll harvest your meat cleanly if you don't stretch the range too far.