GC cast bullet mold question

M1Garandfather

M1Garandfather

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I have a question for you cast bullet shooters....

How successful would it be , (practical , accuracy wise) to shoot cast bullet that have a gas chek base - without the gas check?...

I'm considering getting the Lee .501 dia 440 gr GC mold for the 500 S&W , but since gas checks run about $80 / 1000 , I wondering how shooting them in the H&R Handi-rifle without the GC's would work out , any thoughts or experience anyone could pass on?


Thanks

Bob
 
Thats a bit much for GC's, get the mix right , and size properly , their top shelf. Slug bore, seat GC's correctly , go a bit oversize, I size 378 for .375 rounds, and 311 for 308 etc. and my mix runs from bhn 14-19 depending on speed .
 
The bullets should work OK without a gas check on them. If anything, they may not stand quite as much velocity as a flat base, but I don't think you will be driving a 440 grain bullet much beyond the speed where they would need a gas check!
You will have to experiment, then tell us about it.
 
If you keep the pressure down, you'll be fine. Work up from starting loads, and once you start to get leading, back off.
 
I would day about the same as H4831. Done it before with a few different bullets and it worked OK.

Another option if you have access to a lathe would be to machine out the last ring and convert the bullet to a regular flat base design. Could even give it another thou or 2 for good measure if its a little undersize.
 
Since it's a 500S&W, it should be ok without the check. Your accuracy may be off slightly but you have to be a great shot to notice any measurable difference.

If you are loading that caliber for a rifle, just keep your velocities down and it should be ok. Try a few and see how they fly and how they go down the barrel. If they lead, it may be because of no GC but probably more like a velocity, hardness, sizing or lube issue.

I believe Mr. Freechex makes a 500 gas check maker. They work great. If you are worried about ALuminum Oxide, then use a brass or copper sheet to make them out of. Not the greatest checks (but still very good quality) and some accuracy is lost (marginal) but the cost allows you to shoot and practice more.
 
I can't speak for your gun, but when I shot 170 gr flat nose "supposed to be" gas checked bullets without the gas checks in my 30-30, there was a faint gray vapour trail in the air after every shot. After a little research, I found out that it's actually the lead from the base of the bullet melting a bit when it's fired. I called em "poor boy tracers" :D

I don't know what velocity that you're shooting, or how much power/powder is going under the bullets. My best guess would be that Bruce is right. You'll probably be ok. If you have problems, try backing down on the charge and try again. My 44 mag is the biggest cast slug I've fired, but that has a flat base......watch for leading in the barrel. If you get a massively fast build up, you're probably getting some melting going on in there from blow-by.
 
If you are using the .500 to anywhere near the factory std. pressure levels, you are much better off using the gas check, that is the whole reason for their being. For mid-range target loads with lower pressures(much lower) you may be okay, but you would be better off with a proper plain base bullet. Even with the cost of the gas check, compare bullet prices with jacketed bullets, Hornadys are about $1.10 each, and with a good design, cast hard, with gas check, properly sized and lubed, your cast bullet will do all the jacketed one will do and more.
 
I have a .358 158 gr SWC GC mold. I shoot them plain when using .38Spl but I use a gas check when loading in the .357mag cases. No obvious difference in accuracy that I can tell.
 
Thanks fella's for the thoughts & advice.... I would not be looking for top velocities that the 500 can give I'm pretty sure!.. A friend of mine who also has a 500 Handi-rifle says when he loads the 350 gr Hornady jacketed bullet up to approx 1650 fps even , it gets pretty sporty!.. About 10 shots at one setting is to his liking he says , then it's break time!... The Handi-rifle in this cal sure could use some more weight to tame it down some..I would like to see H&R make a heavier profile bbl and perhaps even a longer bbl to help in the recoil dept....

By the way , I do have a hunting report from my friend... He told me a fellow used the factory 350 gr Hornady cartridge in his 500 Handi-rifle for moose hunting last fall.. He called in a good sized bull to about 40 yds.. One shot through the chest broadside , and the bull shook for a few seconds , then went down where he stood , end of story!.. Goes to show you what a large diameter bullet at medium velocity can do , even to the big stuff...Hmmm , maybe we really haven't come to far from the thinking behind the big calibre old Sharps rifles and similar "Buffalo guns"!

When I have some casting & reloading details , I'll post them..

Thanks

Bob
 
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