antiqueguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- windsor ontario
i think its pretty much a cast your own game
Advice on choosing an antique revolver
- Thread starter Barnes_270
- Start date
i think its pretty much a cast your own game
I saw a commercially made bullet in a store one time :>) :>) Actually I think that if you can find a source of commercially sold lead (unjacketed) slugs they should work fine, even though they are not particularly soft. WSS here in Nanaimo carries some calibers in cast bullets. I think the only time a person really needs a soft bullet is if the bore is oversize and you need something to obturate larger. By soft I am referring to 5% alloy mixed with the lead (tin and antimony)
cheers mooncoon
cheers mooncoon
The 44 Russian uses a standard 44 Mag 240 grain cast bullet. The 45 Schofield uses a standard 45 Colt 250 grain cast bullet. I personally think a fellow should use a soft cast version of these to reduce the sizing impact on the forcing cone, which eventually stretches the frame. If you have a perfectly aligned bore and chambers, it might not be much of an issue, though, so you could use commercial cast bullets. It would be worth a phone call to various commercial Canadian casters to see if of them would be willing to do soft cast for you. I see you live in southern Ontario. PM me and I might be able to direct you to a fellow who might do them for you.
antiqueguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- windsor ontario
no i live in southern ontario the OP lives in BC
Many people are selling bullets for those calibers, it's really no problem to find them once you start looking. People cast and sell them too, maybe not that many advertise them.
Barnes_270
Regular
- Location
- Langley, BC
I think sooner or later I will get into casting. I have a Savage 219 in 30-30 that I picked up a while back with an eye to casting for it some day. Casting seems like a natural extension of the reloading mentality - do it yourself, tailor it to your needs, etc. The downside is that lead seems to be harder to come by than it was a decade ago.
Thanks for the help guys. I think the solution is to look for someone to sell me cast bullets until I set up for casting myself.
Thanks for the help guys. I think the solution is to look for someone to sell me cast bullets until I set up for casting myself.
There is no problem at all finding commercial cast bullets for both the 44 Russian and 45 Schofield, but most of them are hard cast. Several years ago I called around to various advertised Canadian commercial casters of bullets and none of them would do soft cast bullets. That may have changed; I don't know. For commercial casting purposes, hard cast alloys are easier to do swiftly and in large numbers. I finally found a fellow who cast privately who would make soft cast bullets, before I started casting for my own use.
NorthCoastBigBore
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Northwest BC (Rural) 103-I-##
I have also asked and same response.
Likewise, a fellow locally here kindly casts soft bullets for me for BP cartridges. There are enough folks around who cast that if you start asking and provide some moulds, I'm sure you'll hit paydirt. Not that I can't or won't cast, just one more blasted thing to add to a list of things I have to do, but already don't have time to do. ....yup I shouldn't be posting here right now...
Likewise, a fellow locally here kindly casts soft bullets for me for BP cartridges. There are enough folks around who cast that if you start asking and provide some moulds, I'm sure you'll hit paydirt. Not that I can't or won't cast, just one more blasted thing to add to a list of things I have to do, but already don't have time to do. ....yup I shouldn't be posting here right now...
Barnes_270
Regular
- Location
- Langley, BC
Well, went ahead and pulled the trigger on a S&W DA no 3 in 44 Russian. Anyone have mold recommendations and/or load data they'd care to share? Or perhaps soft-cast bullets I could purchase from you? It would be great if I could try out a few different bullets before settling on a mold to buy.
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Congratulations on your first Antique Barnes.
S&W #3 .44 Russian .... Oh Yeah !.
My 44 is an RR in .44Special. Uses the same bullet dia. as your Russian (.430-.432")
If you slug your bore and throats, size the bullets to 1 thou. over throat dia., it'll pay off in improved accuracy.
Have become rather fond of this mold: Lyman 429244DV. It's a SWC, GC, four holer, that drops soft lead at .432" and 265 grains. I use them unsized and sans GC, tumble lubed ... no problem. Capable of 2 inches at 25 yards(if only I could hold it so well!).
Have also become fond of Alliant 2400 powder. Its a very progressive slow burner. Bulky, theres no chance of a double charge escaping your notice. Dirty burning at antique pressures?, most assuredly yes ... but there are no surprises as one slowly increases the charge to what your revolver is comfortable with. Just ignore all the fluff in the bore.
2400's gentle pressure curve allow's one to safely utilize the most vel. that is prudent in the old girls. Thats important to those of us who spend time in deep wilderness.
A chronograph is indespensable if one wishes to develop loads much steamier than squib/target levels, IMO.
2400 has proven safe up to original BP speeds, or a wee bit more
, without undue strain to my precious 'ol girls.
S&W #3 .44 Russian .... Oh Yeah !.
My 44 is an RR in .44Special. Uses the same bullet dia. as your Russian (.430-.432")
If you slug your bore and throats, size the bullets to 1 thou. over throat dia., it'll pay off in improved accuracy.
Have become rather fond of this mold: Lyman 429244DV. It's a SWC, GC, four holer, that drops soft lead at .432" and 265 grains. I use them unsized and sans GC, tumble lubed ... no problem. Capable of 2 inches at 25 yards(if only I could hold it so well!).
Have also become fond of Alliant 2400 powder. Its a very progressive slow burner. Bulky, theres no chance of a double charge escaping your notice. Dirty burning at antique pressures?, most assuredly yes ... but there are no surprises as one slowly increases the charge to what your revolver is comfortable with. Just ignore all the fluff in the bore.
2400's gentle pressure curve allow's one to safely utilize the most vel. that is prudent in the old girls. Thats important to those of us who spend time in deep wilderness.
A chronograph is indespensable if one wishes to develop loads much steamier than squib/target levels, IMO.
2400 has proven safe up to original BP speeds, or a wee bit more
, without undue strain to my precious 'ol girls.
Barnes_270
Regular
- Location
- Langley, BC
Well, the S&W arrived in the mail (thanks Dingus!) and I'm having fun getting all the bits & bobs needed for casting. I've got the lee 200 gr RN and 214 grain SWC molds on order. Just sourced a decent supply of soft lead as well (roofing flashing). Fun times!
