Hard Cast With Ruger 44 Carbine

[Accutip]

Wondering if anyone has any experience using Hard Cast ( 18 Brinell ) with the Ruger 44 Semi Carbine?
I often hear not to use lead as it will foul up gas port, but would Hard Cast do the same?
Asking because I have a pile of 240gr SWC from Missouri Bullet Company that I would like to load up.

 

[Snider shooter]

I shoot cast in mine and haven’t had any problems. My hardness is at 18-19.

 

[Odinson]

Wondering if anyone has any experience using Hard Cast ( 18 Brinell ) with the Ruger 44 Semi Carbine?
I often hear not to use lead as it will foul up gas port, but would Hard Cast do the same?
Asking because I have a pile of 240gr SWC from Missouri Bullet Company that I would like to load up.

I tried lead bullets, they were Remington and I didn't get through the whole 20 rounds before I had to disassemble and clean the gas port.
Now, no lead for me.

 

[Accutip]

Good to know, Do you have the Deerstalker or Deerfield?

 

[mac100]

I haven’t tried it yet but would also like to try. I have powder coated mine and think it might be ok. Anyone else tried powder coated ones as well?

 

[just having some fun]

I have read that for the ruger semi you need to either use Jacketed or a gas check on your cast bullets, or you will lead up the gas system

 

[alpining]

I'd always heard "must use jacketed", but as snider said in the first reply, he got it to work. So apparently it's possible.

It would be a combination of factors - Mostly BH and bore vs. bullet size, but also balancing your powder burn and even lube I think.

First off you can/should slug your bore to see if those bullets are a good fit. But the only way to really know for sure is to try some sample loads.

 

[Odinson]

Good to know, Do you have the Deerstalker or Deerfield?

I'm not sure, the serial number starts with 102-o7###. I has the tubular magazine.

 

[Accutip]

The Tube Mag would be the Deer Stalker if I'm not mistaken, or just Mod 44. The Rotary mag is the newer Deerfield..