Looking for a "Cast Bullet" load for Contender in

[Dan Chamberlain]

Hi:

I have a nice mold that throws a hard cast 305 grain flat point in .458/.459 and I'm looking for some moderate 1300 to 1500 fps loads for the G2 Contender.  I currently load 300 grain jacketed hollowpoints and all my loading manuals cite loads for only the 405 grain cast lead bullets.  None of the data I can find is for a lighter 300 grain cast bullet.  Any suggestions?  I've looked at the web sites for all the cast bullet makers I can find and no luck.

Dan

[ButlerFord45]

Dan, if it were me, I'd give the powder manufacturer of my preference a query for suggested loads via email.
Generally, they seem to be pretty responsive, especially about unpublished combinations.

[Graycg]

Both the Lyman and the RCBS cast bullet manuals have data for lighter cast bullets.  If you need help, I can try to scan and send you some, but not sure how good my scanner will read this stuff- just a warning.

regards,
 graycg

[Dan Chamberlain]

Hey Gray, thanks a ton, but you know if you would consider just giving me some listed powders and starting grains and do not exceed grains (you can even fudge if you'd like) that would help.  Right now I use IMR 4198.  The lee manual lists H4198 which I take to be Hogdon's powder.  Since Hogdon also owns IMR, are their 4198 powders comparable?

Dan

[jhalcott]

hey Dan ,I answered your post on the other forum about the lite weight 45-70's. Nowyou ask about 4198 powders being comparable!
  WELLL,yes and no!?
Hornady's 4th edition,page648 shows IMR4198 MAX at 45.9 gr and 1800 fps using a 300gr hp.  SAME bullet but with H4198 MAXED at 46 gr and 1700fps!
  they also show a 350grRN with slightly less difference(.9gr/50fps)but not in the same direction. Maybe it was their lot of powder,maybe not!
  Always work up from a starting load for your OWN safety!

[Dan Chamberlain]

Yup, you got that.  I have been loading .45-70 for a number of years in four different rifles, using the old standby IMR3031 and cast lead bullets in the 395 range and an occasional black powder round when I feel like being humbled.  I only recently started reloading for the contender and so far only the jacketed 300 grainer.  My current load with that bullet is 36 grains of IMR4198 and my chrono indicates that load gives me a pretty consistent 1450 fps with a 14" hunter barrel.  I would like to duplicate that with a hard cast bullet - and even reduce that a bit for casual range work.  I purchased some Lee dies a while ago and their pages of instructions had a load for 300 grain cast but it used H4198.  I had read once that the two powders (IMR4198 and H4198) while not being identical, had nearly identical burn rates and that load data for one could be substituted for the other.  I like to keep my loading bench simple.  I only have 4 different calibers I load for and don't want to have a dozen different powder canisters sitting around.  Sooo, I thought I'd ask the guys who have a lot more savvy than me.  Thanks for your response.  I saw it on the other thread.  

Dan C

[Graycg]

From my Lyman manual of old:

for 292 or 330 grain cast bullets:

Unique:  start at 14 grains up to around 18

2400  Start at 24 and work to around 30

4227  Start at 27 and work to around 30

4198 Start at 32 and work to 36

3031 start at 44 and work to around 50

4895 start at 52 work to 54- for strong actions only like Marlin

4759  Start at 30 work to 32

regards,
 graycg

[Dan Chamberlain]

Thanks a bunch to all.  

I have lots of information to work with now.  

I have Hornady manuals, IMR loading information, Speer, Winchester, Hodgon and a few others, but I guess I'm going to have to invest in Lyman, RCBS, TC and every other manual out there!  

But you guys helped a lot.  Thanks

Dan C