I've been reloading for years, but I've never tried using cast bullets. I plan on buying (not casting myself) some .44 bullets that are advertised as being 25 on the Brinell Scale. How would bullets of this hardness compate to others? Is this type of bullet good for Ruger type .44 magnum loads? I'm just trying to research some info, so if these are stupid questions, please forgive! The bullets will be used in a Ruger Redhawk and also a Rossi M 92 lever action.
Hard Cast Bullets - Newbie Question
- Thread starter Scott_N
- Start date
antiqueguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- windsor ontario
they are really hard it can be a good thing but sometimes its not always a good thing you need a bullet that fits you're gun plus a thou or two
too hard and not fitting well can cause leading as well as them being too soft and driven too fast can cause leading id say 25 is a bit much for .44 mag
too hard and not fitting well can cause leading as well as them being too soft and driven too fast can cause leading id say 25 is a bit much for .44 mag
just having some fun
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Some Not all Commercial Cast bullets are undersize for some guns
if they are undersize the posibility if them leading the barrel go up
if they are undersize pushing them hard might reduce or eliminate the leading (bullet will actual increase in size as it is fired)
for 44 special/44 mag the bullet diameter, depending on the barrel can be 0.429, 0.430, 0.431, 0.432 and I have heard of barrels in the Rossi needing bullets as large as 0.432
in the Ruger it is easy to check cylinder fit
if a bullet falls through the front of the cylinder it is too small
For cast lead bullet info go to
h t tp://castboolits.gunloads.com/
My buddy shot a 44 mag blackhawk for years and every time he had to clean lead out of the barrel
under size bullets would free fall through the removed cylinder
the right size bullets and 99% of the leading was gone
if they are undersize the posibility if them leading the barrel go up
if they are undersize pushing them hard might reduce or eliminate the leading (bullet will actual increase in size as it is fired)
for 44 special/44 mag the bullet diameter, depending on the barrel can be 0.429, 0.430, 0.431, 0.432 and I have heard of barrels in the Rossi needing bullets as large as 0.432
in the Ruger it is easy to check cylinder fit
if a bullet falls through the front of the cylinder it is too small
For cast lead bullet info go to
h t tp://castboolits.gunloads.com/
My buddy shot a 44 mag blackhawk for years and every time he had to clean lead out of the barrel
under size bullets would free fall through the removed cylinder
the right size bullets and 99% of the leading was gone
I shoot DRG hard cast bullets through my Super Blackhawk with no issues, just some minor leading after 300 rounds or so, no big deal. I don't know what the hardness level of the DRG bullets are, but I don't think it's very high, they are actually quite soft for being advertised as "Hard Cast".
You will find more issues with bullet diameter than hardness. Slug your barrel first. I had to do it with my model 94 Winchester. It is chambered for 38-55, so I bought a box of 40 caliber lead balls. I used a wooden dowel and rubber mallet to push the ball down the barrel. There was a nice flat area with the rifling groves etched on the ball. Measure the ball from grove to grove to get your barrel diameter. Whatever bullet diameter you get, make sure it is either equal to or 0.001" greater in diameter to the bore diameter.
Whether a soft or hard bullet, the one thing that will cause more issues than anything is the bullet diameter.
I've noticed tat even for cast bullets for 38-55, I've found one company that makes bullets in 0.378" and another in 0.379". I took the 0.379" but if I was casting my own, I would be casting and sizing to 0.380".
Whether a soft or hard bullet, the one thing that will cause more issues than anything is the bullet diameter.
I've noticed tat even for cast bullets for 38-55, I've found one company that makes bullets in 0.378" and another in 0.379". I took the 0.379" but if I was casting my own, I would be casting and sizing to 0.380".
cheler: I know what you are hoping for when you say .380 as some old 94's measure that and even .002 larger. If you are thinking of ordering a .380 mould first slug the neck/throat of your 38-55. Then measure case neck thickness X 2 plus the maximum bullet diameter that will still allow the case mouth to expand enough to release the bullet. Some of them are tight enough you can't put a proper bore sized bullet in a case and still get the cartridge to seat in the chamber. When these rifles were made I think the factory was still thinking black powder and bullet bump up as it entered the bore to fit the grooves.
pretty much agree with whats been said, diameter is the main thing and good lube. i shoot lead in all of my guns as well as plated/jacketed and use a pretty soft alloy.
i do like the DRG bullets, i got some in a bundle of 357 mag stuff and ended up using them in my stock glock with good results and no leading. 148gr i believe.
i do like the DRG bullets, i got some in a bundle of 357 mag stuff and ended up using them in my stock glock with good results and no leading. 148gr i believe.
Some where in my travel's (either internet or magazine) I read a chart which related Brinell hardness of bullets to pressure developed by the load. ie low pressure loads work best with soft alloys- high pressure loads require harder alloys. This of course is in addition to correct bullet diameter. Haven't got a clue where I read that now but best guess would be in a magazine as it was awhile ago.
just having some fun
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Old Ranger is prob thinking of the below
(Quote in part)
Cast Bullets For Beginner And Expert
SECOND EDITION, 2007 - Joe Brennan
Chapter 3.3 Cast Bullet Hardness Requirements
Bullet Hardness, Chamber Pressure And Accuracy
Enter "Obturation", the swelling or bumping-up of a bullet by the burning powder gasses on and shortly after ignition. The theorists now combine chamber pressure, obturation and the BHN psi number with one or more explanations of what is happening to the bullet on firing, and we're presented with these prescriptions.
#1 Chamber pressure must equal or exceed (BHN X 1422) for obturation to occur, else leading and poor accuracy result.
#2 Best accuracy occurs when chamber pressure = (BHN X 1422 X 90%), else leading and/or lesser accuracy result.
From
http://www.lasc.us/brennan_3-3_castbullethardnessrequirements.htm
-------------------------
But Like I said there are exceptions to the rule
(Quote in part)
Cast Bullets For Beginner And Expert
SECOND EDITION, 2007 - Joe Brennan
Chapter 3.3 Cast Bullet Hardness Requirements
Bullet Hardness, Chamber Pressure And Accuracy
Enter "Obturation", the swelling or bumping-up of a bullet by the burning powder gasses on and shortly after ignition. The theorists now combine chamber pressure, obturation and the BHN psi number with one or more explanations of what is happening to the bullet on firing, and we're presented with these prescriptions.
#1 Chamber pressure must equal or exceed (BHN X 1422) for obturation to occur, else leading and poor accuracy result.
#2 Best accuracy occurs when chamber pressure = (BHN X 1422 X 90%), else leading and/or lesser accuracy result.
From
http://www.lasc.us/brennan_3-3_castbullethardnessrequirements.htm
-------------------------
But Like I said there are exceptions to the rule
