Need An Accurate Load for the 44-caliber OWC

[okie john]

I'd like to keep velocity under 1,000 fps in a 44 Magnum.

thanks,


Okie John

[jhalcott]

  Okie, I thought the Ogival Wad Cutter was designed with HIGH velocity in mind. I don't know how well it works a subsonic speeds and use OTHER molds for that.

[okie john]

So how fast do I need to move it for it to group well?


Okie John

[jhalcott]

  What kind of groups are you getting at 1000 fps? That is just below the speed of sound. maybe a 1200 fps load will do it.

[okie john]

4-5".


Okie John

[jhalcott]

  4 to 5"!! At 100 yards and with a scope?? Or are you shooting standing off hand? Just what gun are you using?

[okie john]

I wish I was getting 4-5" groups shooting offhand at 100, but unfortunately, it's 4-5" at 25 yards off the bench. The same gun shoots Keith SWC's into 1.5" at 25 yards.


Okie John

[jhalcott]

  there are SO many possible causes it's hard to give  a reasonable answer. What diameter bullet what diameter throat /barrel. What lube Any evidence of leading and if so where. Are these self cast or purchased.and do you know the alloy.  Maybe the guys over on CAST BOOLITS can give you a better idea.

[okie john]

The bore is .430". The throats are .431". I bought the bullets from Montana Bullet Works. They're sized to .431", are cast from Lyman #2 alloy for a BHN of 15, and lubed with LBT Blue lube. There is no leading in the bore.

Have you ever used the 44 OWC?

thanks,


Okie John

[jhalcott]

  No I have NOT used the OWC bullets. My molds are NEI 250 and Lee 245. I use an alloy of ww(BHN~13) or Lyman #2(BHN 15). I lube with Felix world famous lube or 50/50 alox beeswax and use hornady gas checks. The bullets are sized to .430" and fired in a Ruger Super Black hawk with a 6 1/2" barrel. Depending on use I shoot them from about 850 fps to well over 1300 fps.  I have gotten groups as small as <1" at 50 yards And sub 2" at 100(scoped and rested on sand bags.) Occasionally a gun just does NOT like a particular bullet/powder and or primer. Will they size them to .432" for you? If not , try to tumble lube a few with the Lee liquid Alox lube. This will give them a slightly fatter profile and MIGHT help with accuracy AND leading. Another thing to consider is that Lyman is a bit HARD for this application. You could try a softer alloy like a 50/50 ww lead for about a 10BHN. This will allow the bullet to expand and fill the bore sooner. This is what I use for the 850fps loads in MY gun. I hope this helps some

[okie john]

Thanks. I'll let you know how it works out.


Okie John