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Lee Lead Hardness Testing Kit

Product #: 731364 Lee #: 90924 UPC #: 734307909246

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$55.99

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Out of Stock, Backorder OK

Date expected in stock: 06/05/2013

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Product Information

The Lee Lead Hardness Testing Kit will determine the exact Brinnell Hardness Number of an alloy in a simple six step process. The process involves pressing a hardened steel indenter ball into the bullet through the use of a standard single stage press. The indentation is measured with the Lee Pocket Microscope (included). The measurement is located on the supplied chart to determine the Brinnell Hardness Number. Never again waste time and components working with the wrong alloy.

Technical Information:

Includes:

20 power, 4 lens optical microscope

V-Block Cradle

Calibrated hardened steel ball indenter

Brinell Hardness and maximum pressure chart

Function: To determine the hardness of blended alloys
Notes: Kit must be used in conjunction with a reloading press. This die is a standard 7/8"-14 threaded die that will work in almost all reloading presses.

Application Charts & Information

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Customer Reviews

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REVIEW SUMMARY

by PowerReviews

Lee Lead Hardness Testing Kit

4.4

(based on 23 reviews)

Most Helpful Positive Review

This is the greatest ...

This is the greatest gadget for bullet casters since the invention of the electric lead pot. It's a little tricky to use but nothing that can't be mastered. Results appear both repeatable and consistent. Be sure to get the Lee Reloading Manual, second Edition if you get the Tester. This is where Richard Lee explains the relationship between bullet hardness and pressure and how this relationship relates to theoretical accuracy. I've been reloading for over 40 years and casting bullets for over 25. Lee's book and Hardness Tester taught me more in an evening than 25 years of guesswork. A "must have" tool for the serious bullet caster!

Most Helpful Negative Review

The best I can say is ...

The best I can say is it's half the price of the best competing testers. I found mine to be slow to use, fussy about sample placement, and I had a lot of trouble...Read complete review

The best I can say is it's half the price of the best competing testers. I found mine to be slow to use, fussy about sample placement, and I had a lot of trouble getting repeatable force on the indenter and repeatable measurements of the diameter of the indentation using the optical micrometer. Mine is especially poor reading hard alloys of lead exceeding BHN 12. The "port" for the sample will accept most bullets but not other shapes. Friends who also have this tool found similar problems. It doesn't matter if it's low cost if it can't deliver an accurate and repeatable measurement over the range of hardnesses needed. The documentation also, in my opinion, gives poor advice about hardness requirements versus load pressures - too hard to "slug up" for best accuracy.

Reviewed by 23 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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5/17/2012

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

I've been using it for ...

By A

from Sierra Mtns, CA

Comments about Lee Lead Hardness Testing Kit:

I've been using it for about five years now with accurate repeatable results. Follow the directions carefully. I've measured everything from pure lead to heat treated linotype without a problem. I've had excellent results following Lee's recommendations matching the load to the lead strength. I've experienced better accuracy and less leading in the barrel. If you cast bullets (especially for high pressure/high velocity calibers) I highly recommend it.

5/7/2012

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

This is a "must have for ...

By David

from East Grand Forks, MN

Comments about Lee Lead Hardness Testing Kit:

This is a "must have for any one who casts their own bullets. I should have bought one years ago. The tester itself and the chart are easy to use. Make sure you time how long you hold the bullet in the press and your results will be consistent. I am able to get the same reading three times on the same alloy every time. Make sure you read the instructions, follow them, and you won't be disappointed. Its another quality product from Lee!!

12/25/2011

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

The scope is hard to hold ...

By Gary

from Escalon, CA

Comments about Lee Lead Hardness Testing Kit:

The scope is hard to hold still, I made a stand too hold the scope and it works real good. A flat base with a rod and a clamp around the rod and scope. The hardness tester works well.

11/19/2011

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Use common sense, don't ...

By Brian

from Fairfield, CA

Comments about Lee Lead Hardness Testing Kit:

Use common sense, don't place a bar across the top of the tube to stop the pin as it drives up towards the flush level point. You are applying too much force when you trap the pin while applying increased force. The result will be a larger diameter cavity providing a false low BHN reading.

11/8/2011

(1 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

I had bought this tester ...

By James

from Las Vegas, NV

Comments about Lee Lead Hardness Testing Kit:

I had bought this tester to check the BHN of my cast bullets. It appears to work find on low BHN bullets but not so good on High BHN bullets. Ordered lino ingot s and super hard alloy ingots. The lino read only 18 but should have been 22 and the super hard alloy read 18 also and should have read 36 with this tester. Sent the tester back to Lee for it to be rechecked and told them about the readings that I was getting from the lino and the super hard alloy. Lee said that they had rechecked it and could find nothing wrong with it and that maybe that I was letting the pressure rod rise above the top of the tester. That could not be the problem because I use a steel bar across the top of the tester so that the rod can not rise up higher. I am still working on someway that I can get the tester to read cast bullets made of lino and other hard cast bullets correctly.

3/25/2011

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great value I would ...

By DAVE

from SE, PA

Comments about Lee Lead Hardness Testing Kit:

Great value I would recommend the tester to anyone looking to start casting/developing lead ammo economically. A good light source & a steady base to rest the bullet on is a must to get an accurate reading. Thank you LEE Precision & Midway USA!

1/17/2011

(4 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

The best I can say is ...

By Charles

from Spokane, WA

Comments about Lee Lead Hardness Testing Kit:

5/17/2010

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

I've been casting rifle ...

By Charles

from Midland, TX

Comments about Lee Lead Hardness Testing Kit:

I've been casting rifle and pistol bullets since the late 70s. Being the cheap scrounger that I am, I always had to guess at what I was blending in terms of bullet alloy. Results were often unpredictable, resulting in excess leading, poor accuracy, and hours spent scrubbing bores, throats, and forcing cones. I'd looked at several hardness testers over the years but could never seem to make the purchase a priority because of price. This Lee tester is a real bargain, however. I've had it now for about 4 months. I've casts about 5K bullets for various calibers using different blends of alloys, from WW to range scrap, to pure lead. I find that in testing a batch of bullets, it is simple to use. Just file a flat on a bullet; place the bullet in the holder, and make the impression using you reloading press. Place the indented bullet in a small vice (albeit it does help to have a strong lamp illuminating the bullet) and measure the indentation with the pocket microscope. The scale is easy to see. The tester provides consistent, repeatable results. The printed charts save you from having to remember your math skills. This is a real gem. Lee Precision, Inc. has done it again in terms of marketing a product that meets the needs of their customers at very reasonable price.

2/25/2010

(52 of 52 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Amazing. I use the Los ...

By Michael

from Garden Grove, CA

Comments about Lee Lead Hardness Testing Kit:

Amazing. I use the Los Angeles Silhouette Club website's cast bullet notes by Lee Fryxell for much reference as well as Lee Modern Reloading II for alloy creation. The hardness tester has proved itself to be accurate per the findings of many others and known average BHN values of specific alloys. It is easy to use and consistent. I have tracked air cooled and water cooled alloys in various virgin alloys and "pot luck" mixes. The expected hardness levels are exact!! I can watch the air-cooled WW with added antimony age harden over 48 hours and can watch "bumped up" water quenched WW with monotype climb over 96 hours AS EXPECTED. Flat file a bullet side, stick in the press, hold for 35 seconds, measure BHN. It is a scientific tool, not a gimmick!! Lee, you folks are awesome and as affordable as any reloader can ask!

2/25/2010

(94 of 97 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

This is the greatest ...

By Larry

from Mobile, AL

Comments about Lee Lead Hardness Testing Kit:

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The statements and opinions expressed within Customer Reviews reflect each author's personal perspective and do not imply endorsement by MidwayUSA, its Employees or any other organization. Customers should in no way infer that MidwayUSA has validated review information as safe, accurate or appropriate.

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