Hey Jason, I am new to throwing "straight lead" too.
What I have gathered so far is to avoid the leading you can go as fast as you like if you use a paper patch. I believe it is a band of paper around the slug. I have been waiting for some kind of a response in my 38-55 thread in regards to this but haven't heard back from anyone yet. :roll:
Don't know what kind of paper, how wide a band or how many wraps is needed either.
Another newer trick may be to use a crimp on gas check. I think they are available for most all calibers. I think you can put them on yourself if you cast your own or if you have a bunch already too.
SOMEBODY HELP US NEWBIES PLEASE!!!!!!
I think it would be neat to user the traditional paper patch but if it is a big pain,
I will be asking the Bullet Barn to gas check my little care package before they ship it out.
When I find some more info I will let you know if someone else hasn't piped up before.[quote noel]
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Noel ....the 38-55 can be tricky to load for if you don't know the groove size the throat size and how large a cast bullet your chamber will allow you to chamber....you mite luck out and get the right sized bullet from the get-go but....if I were you I would have a gunsmith do a chamber/throat/groove cast and tell you what you need for bullet size....overwise you maybe just pissing in the dark til you stumble on a load and proper bullet size...I'm talking about loads that are over 1600 fps with 250gr. bullets...
For shooting and casting bullets there are site's that cater better to your questions than this one...try the following and do a "dogpile" search also for more..
www.castboolits.gunloads.com
www.leverguns.com
www.greybeardoutdoors.com forum on paperpatched bullets
www.beartoothbullets.com 38-55 & 45-70 loads,etc..
you have a lot to learn and you'll soon find out that you"ll never learn it all when it comes to casting bullets and shooting them....
..cheers mic
