Lead hardness/softness test?

[Kurt]

Can anyone recommend a way to test lead for the appropriate softness for cast round balls for a cap and ball revolver? They have to be soft. I have a lot of lead but my fingernails don't cut it anymore. Or it is too hard? Thanks.

[Habu]

When I'm out scrounging for lead I take a 6B drafting pencil.  In theory it will scratch pure lead, but not harder lead.  Actually, it will also scratch many antimonial alloys that were rolled--certain shower pans for example--so I text again after I convert the lead to ingots.  If a 6B won't scratch the lead, I don't even consider it for c&b revolvers, or optimum use in my flintlock rifles. 

If you want some ideas on hardness testing, look at this article:  https://www.texas-mac.com/Evaluations_and_Recommendations_for_Lead-Alloy_Hardness_Testers.html  You can get drafting pencils at an art store, on Amazon, etc. 

[Jerry]

Lee sells a lead hardness tester. Easy to use. Accurate. Affordable.

[Kurt]

Thank you both for your suggestions. I think I'll try the pencil test first as I only need it to ascertain whether the lead is soft enough for revolver cylinders.

[rich pierce]

I test unknown lead by the thunk test. Drop it on concrete. If it thunks it’s probably good. If it rings I use it for something else.

[ClaMar]

What Rich said.

[Collector]

Lead Testing Method:               
Purchased @Michaels               
Mars LUMOGRAPH Graphite Pencils X STAEDTLER @$19.99               
   Lead Hardness Testing Method:            
               
5B   BHN 4-5   pure lead         
6B   BHN 7-8   40:1 lead-tin_plumbers lead         
4B   BHN 9   24:1 lead-tin         
3B   BHN 10   20:1 lead-tin_Wheel Weight (WW)         
2B   BHN 11-12   range scrap (WW)         
B   BHN 13   WW + 2% tin quenched         
HB   BHN 14-15   LYMAN #2 ALLOY_Linotype-lead         
F   BHN 16-18   commercial cast bullets         
H   BHN 20-22   1:1_Linotype-WW-Linotype         
2H   BHN 26-28   quenched WW, monotype         

[Daryl]

Fellow down South in BC, had a brinel tester and quenched Cdn. WW out of the mould into water, after 12 hours, came out at 28 to 32
which I assume, depends on the exact temperature when they quench.
The same alloy, heated to 10F under slump come out at 32/33 Brinel. Smith noted in his book, that quenched WW could come out as high
as 34 brinel, same as dead soft copper. I am assuming perhaps only 5 degrees under their slump temperature.