Brinell hardness for 500 magnum boolits

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I’m new to casting and trying to put together some recipes of which alloy hardness is best for the 500 magnum. My first thought is a brinell hardness of 18 based on what I’ve researched so far. Lots of conflicting information on the net, so I’m trying to narrow it down some more and hoping you fine folks can offer some insight. I’m not looking to go beyond 1500 ish fps. Not extreme, but something around 1300-1500 fps in the 375-450 grain area.
For those that love to shoot this handgun, what bullet types are you using and what hardness are you using for each one? I understand different velocities may have different hardness choices and I like to hear your thoughts about it.
My plan is to have different alloy types for each of the 3 calibers I’m going to cast for. 40 s and w, 45 acp and the 500.
The 40 is my girl’s and was going to go with Lyman #2 per my Lyman manual. Same for the 45 acp, but I’ve also read where many folks like a brinell of 12 for their 45 acp, so I may try that also.
I’m not looking for high velocities, just fun target loads for both handguns.
The 500 I would like the versatility I believe the caliber offers, so I was curious if some casters use different alloy types of the same boolit, but with different velocities. I was thinking specifically of the reduced trail boss loads and a softer lighter boolit. Thank you for time and your help.

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[Full.Lead.TacoKeymaster]

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I give a nice heavy crimp on all the loads–helps prevent bullet walkout as well as get better burn on ball powders.  I’ve never had any bullets walk–but also makes it a pain when I have to pull bullets with a bad load.  My poor kinetic hammer felt like it was going to break, so I ended up buying the collet bullet puller to pull some high pressure spire point rounds.

[k7sparkyParticipant]

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2 more good reads from LASC
Cast BULLET ALLOYS AND OBTURATION

IS YOUR BULLET WEAK ENOUGH

[brigettecuneoParticipant]

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The 500 S&W is a great cartridge and fun revolver.  My shooting buddy enjoyed shooting mine so much that he had to buy one too.  My other buddy said it is on his short list also.  With two of them, you can set up an odd number of water filled milk jugs and do 500 mag duels.  You just set them out in a line in front of two of you and each of you starts out shooting on the outside (on opposite ends) and you both race to see who can get to the middle jug first.  Loads of fun.  Works with pumpkins too.  Here is a video of my friend and I dueling (with NOE bullet mold bullets, of course).
https://youtu.be/Uwv8eFewJgA

That Sir was a great video. I’m still smiling,lol. Looks like a lot of fun. Something about  that big bore that really makes a day at the range a different experience.

[lar45]

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I’ve got the 4″ S&W and 7.5″ BFR.
Most of my casting is done with straight wheel weights. 
For high velocity loads, I use harder bullets and drop them onto a sponge in a bucket of water,
for low velocity plinking stuff, I use softer bullets and just air cool them on a soft towel. 
I really like Carnauba Red for the 500S&W, I’ve never had a leading problem with it.

[AlvinYorkParticipant]

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I read this topic back in May when it started. Just sat down and re-read the whole thing. 60K psi  . . . I guess I don’t hear that a lot with the guns I have but that sounds like bazooka level! I’m gonna use those hollow base we’re getting (502-500-SWC (HB) and the others in the set) in my BP with Triple seven. Don’t think I’ll get anywhere near 60k. Then again I’m not trying to blast open any tanks either.

[Author]

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