Loading cast bullets in .405 Winchester, novice at this

[The Shrink]

Esteemed board

I have a 1895 Win. in 405, new, bore .405, groove .412

I have an RCBS 40-400 mold that I have used in my 40-70 using BP (no gascheck)

I will be casting with wheelweights, moly coating, possibly Lee Alox as well.

To put these together I have data from Hornaday's website for the 400gr WLDLGH RNSN (whatever all that means) that shows starting loads with Varget @48gr and H4895 @ 45.5 gr and H4198 @33.0gr.  

I have some 4895 (IMR, I think) but not the other two.  Given that this bullet has no gas check I plan to use a fiber wad or two, glued to the bottom of the bullet with lube.  

Are these likely to be safe loads, or am I likely to coat the bore with lead?  Should I drop below these loads with any of these powders, or is this likely to be a reciepe for disaster?  Any specific suggestions for loads for this bullet?

Sincere thanks, I haven't put anything together yet, and won't for a while.  Gotta get dies first and empty some brass!

Wayne the Shrink

[talon]

I would stick with .411 or .412 diameter bullets and have nothing to do with wads that could drop down into the casing. Age, or recoil could easily weaken the 'glue'. Also, you shouldn't assume that a load for a .405grain bullet of unknown shape/lead alloy will work for  any other .405grain design.  

[The Shrink]

Talon

I know, that's why I asked about reducing these powder charges more than these minimum loads.  The RCBS 40-400 is a bore riding bullet, the base measures .411.  Since it is made of wheelweights or softer it will bump up to a perfect fit, if there is no interferance by flashburns.  

My 4895 is IMR, and only a little of it, so I will need to buy powder for this project.  I'm hoping someone here with experience shooting cast bullets with smokeless can give me some guidance, and my only experience has been with cast bullets and BP.

Wayne the Shrink

[Cat Whisperer]

How about an update?

I'm working with 400 gr and 300gr plain based bullets.

10-14gr U with the 400's give 3moa at 100yds iron sights.  Might have slight tipping,  just cast 200+ 300 gr.

[.22-5-40]

Hello, The Shrink.  I have used smokeless in a Riflesmith long-range .40-70str. (2 1/2").  H4895 & Varget.  I am away from notes at moment so can't give exact load..but I did call Hodgdon before I started loading for this rifle..back in mid-90's, and like you, I started a few grains lower than their recommended start loads..No real danger in these big cases since the expansion ratio is so large, pressures are low with sane charges.  Anyway, I found the best accuracy was two or three grains under their start load.  I am using the Ideal 412263..which was designed for the .405.  With my alloy, weight is 300grs.
   Your idea of "gluing" wad to bullet base is bad...these will sometimes ride nearly out to target & sometimes not..either way it will cause fliers.  I have found Walters vegetable fibre wads to work best..I use the .03" & are a tight fit in case.   I look to see what side taper on wad edge is..and place this topmost.  I thumb press flush with case mouth & let bullet base seat wad as bullet is seated in case.  I have played around with Kapok fibre as case filler..but after some bad experiance with it, I have given up on fillers.  With vernier tang & inter. appa. front, I am getting 1" groups at 100yds.  I too moly-coat bullets.  I have gone to a softer lube in my single-shots..beeswax base, with anhydrous lanolin, castor oil.  I have never experianced any leading with this lube, and my bullets are quite soft..range lead & soft scrap..or 20-1 alloy when I want to get serious.  Best of luck!

[Ranch13]

That rcbs bullet comes up just a bit small ( or at least the blocks I have do) The bullet will shoot alright but you'll need to seat it deep to cycle thru the magazine, and you  will get some leading.
 I think at the moment the best bullet is probably the 300 gr gc blocks that Buffalo Arms makes and sells.I use the lyman 412263, but they drop just at .412, and work in my new made 95 alright but it does tend to lead some.
 5744 powder will be your friend followed by Hogdons "youth" data for 4895.