Hard cast lead bullets in 44 magnum carbine

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snowhunter

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Will there be any significant lead fouling in a "micro grove" barrel if I use hard cast lead bullets, handloaded to maximum levels, in the Marlin 44 magnum carbine ?

And in case there is lead in the bore, what is the best way of removing the lead from indside the barrel ?
 
You shouldn't have any problems, use a bullet that is the right size for the bore(try.430") and start well below max., work your loads up watching for press. signs and accuracy to drop off. My Marlin likes all cast bullets but it is cut rifled.
 
Thanks for the advice in regards to using gas checks. I just bought 1000, and are wondering how to install these gas checks into the bullets :)

Do I buy special dies ?
 
First, is the mold cut for Gas checks? If not, you're out of luck. You need a bullet sizer with the right size bullet sizing die to install gas checks. Not sure about Lee equip. for this, I use Lyman and RCBS lube/sizers and lube, size, and install gas checks all in one operation.
 
Thanks for the advice. I look forward to learn the new hobby of installing gas checks on lead bullets, and I also wants learn to cast bullets from used wheel weights, and thus make bullets for pennies :)
 
Well, I decided to try out some, .430 diameter, 240 grain, hard cast lead bullets loaded to the max with 24.7 grain of WInchester 296, in my, "Micro Groved" Marlin .44 mangnum carbine, without gas checks.

Shooting at a target at 50 yards, I found the accuracy was very poor. Recovered bullets was little bit pitted from hot powder gasses, but not worse than when shooting 30-06 "Partition Bullets", that also have lead exposed at the rear of the bullet. Therefore no need to use gas checks.

Conclusion from this test is, that is far more accurate to use jacketed bullets, at maximum velocities, in a .44 magnum, "Micro Groved" barrel, than using hard cast bullets ?
 
Snowhunter.....before you arrive at that conclusion, there is one piece of this puzzle missing and i eluded to it earlier......If your bullets have provision for a gas check, you should use a gas check,especially with heavy loads as the gas will try to run up along side of the bullet due to the void on base of the bullet. If the bullet is not "cut" for a gas check, I would try a few designs before you conclude that cast bullets are not as accurate in your gun. Some outfits sell cast bullets that are machine cast and the designs are not very accurate as they are designed to drop out of the molds and not tie up the machine. These designs usually have minimal amount of lube grooves, no sharp edges especially at the base of bullet. Try a bullet that is designed to be accurate in the .44 such as Lymans #429421(although it may not feed good) or some of the LBT designs which are usually heavier.
 
It took me two years, to finally to find a couple of accurate handloads combinations for my 300 Winchester. Well, the use of accurate hard cast bullets and handloads in the Marlin, .44 carbine appears to be another interesting challenge. Thanks for the advice of what to look for in a cast bullets. Always wanted to learn about and the use the gas checks. Another prime candidate for the hard cast bullets with a gas check could be the .303 British ?
 
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