Anyone else reload Campro 44cal bullets? very bad results *update post #28*

[bigedp51]

wcat

CAMPRO bullets are plated bullets and a heavy roll crimp or excessive taper crimp will distort the bullet and crack the plating. I bought a Lee carbide factory crimp die that "taper" crimps my plated .44 Magnum rounds for my 5 inch S&W model 29.

CAMPRO 44 240 TC FCP (FCP: Full Copper Plated)

Description

CAMPRO bullets offer one of the highest quality and value on the market. You now have the opportunity to use the same quality during competitions and while you practice.

Fully copper-plated and featuring a swaged lead core, each bullet is carefully reformed at the end of the process. Experience an ultra-precise shot—bullet after bullet.

Copper thickness: .008

The photo below is from AR15.com and posted by their very knowledgeable moderator.

As you can see below plated bullets are very sensitive to over crimping and can be damaged during seating. The thinner the plating the more sensitive to crimping and velocity range.

I use Lyman type "M" expanders with plated bullets, the case mouth is not flared and has a larger "step" that allows the bullet to be started by hand into the case mouth without bullet tilting.

As you can see below the second "step" on the expander is .002 larger than bullet diameter. This allows the bullet to start straight without tilting and improves accuracy.

NOTE, the Lyman type "M" expander patent expired and many die manufactures are coping this design. I have newer Redding and RCBS dies with the type "M" expander.

And again keep it simple, plated bullets with light loads and a taper crimp, and hot loads with jacketed bullets and a roll crimp.

 

[rick357]

20" rossi '92, 240gr xtp over 24gr h110 group about 2" at 100 yards.

240gr campro over pretty much anything like a rifle load group 2' at 100 yards.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ they seem to do fine at short range through a revolver with light loads though.

I found the same with my Marlin (JM) 44. It just didn't like any bullet that was marginally undersized and it really hated the Campro. My S&W .44 ate them up like crazy though. Both guns sold some time ago. Now have a Ruger 77/44 and all I feed it is full house H110 with HRN FTX. Tack shooter at 100 yards but hard on the shoulder and wallet.

 

[Brutus]

This is not the first CGN thread on disappointing hand load results from bulk plated bullets loaded at rifle-ish velocities.

Nor will it be the last.

 

[NaviDave]

It seems to me that a nice gas-checked .432 mold would solve the cost/accuracy problems. These are hard to find in stock (even in the US).

 

[Freedom Ventures]

Bigedp51 is probably on to it.
Pull a round you loaded and check to see you're not breaking the plating with your crimp.

 

[roadcarver]

I use Campro 44mag 240gr with H110 @21.7grains, shoot at 50m and all land at the 8.5"x11" target though my grouping needs improvement. I've recently switched to Skinner sights (from semi Buckhorn) and hopefully in the next range trip, grouping will be better.

 

[emerson]

I crimp them hard. No issues for me.

 

[wcat]

Well,
I went to the range yesterday, here's what I brought with me (all bullets 240gr):

2x Blazer aluminium
2x Federal JSP
4x Campro with 14gr Blue Dot
2x Hornady XTP with 14gr Blue Dot
2x Campro with 23gr W296
2x Campro with 7gr Trail Boss

I shot them in the order listed above,all on the same target at 40yards. Target was a grid sheet with a square red bullseye 2"x2"
My rifle is a W94 Trapper with a Bushnell 1.5-4.5x20mm

Blazer went into bullseye
Federal went 2" higher
Campro/14gr BD, 1st shot went 1" above bullseye, shots 2,3 & 4 where NOT on paper!
Hornady XTP/14gr BD went on bullseye
Campro/23gr W296 went 1" above bullseye
Campro/7gr Trail Boss went on bullseye

So, I don't have an explanation. I measured a bullet from the box, it measured .429", which is ok.

Only prob seems to be with Campro AND Blue Dot powder combination.

I decided that I'll load the Hornady XTP bullets for my rifle. I don't shoot it that much anyway, so better go with premium bullets with it.

The Campro box will stand on the shelf for a while. I just got my card from my restricted guns course, and I'll send the application form
for my RPAL next week. I plan on buying a 44mag revolver in the near future, so these bullets will go into it.
If they still behave badly in my *future* revolver, then I'll sell them.

Thanks to all!

 

[Trinimon]

Your Campros sounds defective. I'll give ya $10 for the remainder of the box, heck, I'll even cover shipping and no disposal fee.

 

[The ROC]

I have to agree... those Campro sound like a bad batch. I'll give you $10.50 for the remaining bullets and I'll even come by and pick them up myself.....

 

[wcat]

I have to agree... those Campro sound like a bad batch. I'll give you $10.50 for the remaining bullets and I'll even come by and pick them up myself.....

Haha yeah, by the weight of that 500 cts
box it could be cheaper to make the trip

 

[emerson]

I have always pushed my Campros hard. 25gr H110 w/240gr in 7.5" 44 mag and 26gr H110 w/250gr in 12" 45LC. Shot very accurately in both. Crimped hard. Maybe they just don't like to putt along.