TC bullets and why i don't like them

[Idaho Ron]

The last time I went to the range I tried some TC maxi balls, and some TC maxi hunters. Both kinds were 50 cal. The hunters were 350 gr and the Maxi balls were 370. I could not get them to group inside a 8x11 sheet of paper the groups were large. I shot a group with my Hornady 410 gr Great plains bullets and the group was a pinch over 1" dead center of the target. I took some of them today and rinsed them off. What I found was the TC's were not round. I would measure then turn then measure and turn.  Some of the measurments were off as far as  .024  That is a lot for a bullet. Also the Maxi hunters had mould marks like the mould was not hot enough when cast.  On top of that the bullets were way off on weight on weight. Some as much as 10 grain spread between bullets.

The Hornadys were very close on round. I know they are swaged not poured.  But the largest difference in the ones I measured was only .0004 the largest spread in weight was 1 grain on the Hornadys.
 I only measured and weighed only three of each so my test was small.  I have wondered why the TC's don't shoot good in my gun. I now know why and I also know I won't be buying any more.   Ron

[Saloon slug]

WOW those are some big discrepancies. Thought TC would have been better then that.
BTW what gun are ya using and what is the rate of twist?

[Idaho Ron]

The gun I am using is a TC renegade with a Green Mountain Stainless Steel LRH barrel. It is 1-28 twist.
Ron

[Saloon slug]

How do ya like the bbl? I have been thinking of getting a 36cal to go with my Renegade for the kids to shoot squirels and rabits? Sorry to hgh jack your thread.

[Idaho Ron]

I love both of my GM barrels. I know that some guys don't like the new barrel because of the threads of the nipple.
Here is a group I shot with that gun. I would say on average it groups 1.25"
Ron

[Saloon slug]

Very nice.

[coyotejoe]

I think you nailed it with your comment about casting flaws, they are poorly cast. If you get a mold and cast your own, sort them and return any flaws to the pot for remelting you will find the 370 grain maxi to be a very accurate bullet but those pre-cast and packaged maxi balls are literally not worth the powder to blow them out the bore.

[Idaho Ron]

Thanks,  I got my Lyman great plains moulds, and my Lee REAL moulds yesterday. Any advice for a newbe at moulding?  Ron

[huntersmurf]

Clean all grease and oil off them, and before you start casting smoke the inside with a match or butane lighter, the carbon deposit will let the bullets fall out so much easier. Cast hot, pure lead needs high temps to fill out the mold, if you are getting wrinkles just keep casting until the bullets look good, it may take 20 or more before they look good. Let the spure solidify all the way before knocking it off too, just watch the puddle of metal on top and you will see it draw metal into the mold as it cools. Have fun and don't breath the fumes, oh, wear long pants and shoes too, the spalter kinda burns da bare skin.

[Idaho Ron]

Thanks, I will show what I make this weekend if I get a chance.  Ron

[Lawful Larry]

I have found that most black powder guns can be very finicky when shooting different bullets.  I have shot the maxi balls and hunters in different guns.  They shot very good in my NEF .50 cal. ( 1 in 28) and also my Cabela's Hawkens Carbine (1 in 24).  However, when I tried them in my ex-Encore, they shot horribly.  I couldn't get them to group to save my life.  I never tried to measure them for correctness in design though. 

I still want to shoot the Great Plains bullet in the carbine.  I expect it to perform very well.  I would also like to shoot the R.E.A.L bullet.  I would like to mold my own bullets, but it is hard to find guys who have these other different bullets in the .54 caliber.  I only wish the carbine could shoot PRB bullets, but with the 1 in 24 twist that makes it impossible I guess.

I must say that the Encore (junk) would only shoot the T/C SST bullets and pretty much nothing else.  That is why I got rid of it.  For now I am in love with my new carbine.