muzzle brake and cast bullests with 45-70 encore

[44joe]

Hello all, I was wondering if muzzle brakes affect cast bullet accuracy.  I have a 15" 45-70 encore with an SSK muzzle brake on it.  I haven't shot any cast bullets in it yet.  I have been shooting the Winchester 300 gr hollow point factory stuff, for brass.  I finally have some brass to play with and was thinking about some cast bullets.  But I have heard that the muzzle brake will hurt the base of the bullet and affect accuracy.  Is this true, I hope not, I would like to load some cast.  BTW, I'm getting about 1.5" accuarcy @ 100 yrs, with the winchester.  How about gas checks ?  Any advice would be appreciated.

Joe.

[Grumulkin]

Well, since this has been here awhile and no one more qualified has offered an opinion, I'll give mine.  Be it known, however, that I don't usually use cast bullets.

I personally wouldn't hesitate to use cast bullets on a muzzle braked gun.  I can't see how the brake could hurt the base of the bullet.  As far as accuracy is concerned, try it and see.

As for the gas check question, the only potential problem I could see would be if the gas check came loose between the end of the barrel and the end of the muzzle brake.  There is not a lot of clearance between the bullet and the muzzle brake.  If the gas check came loose, it could remain in the muzzle brake and cause a ruptured barrel when the next shot was fired.  I think it unlikely that this would happen, but if I were to use gas checked bullets, I would at least check the brake after each shot the first few times I tried this.

[Keith L]

I don't have any experience with this either, but I do recall a post at some time discussing lead buildup in the brake vents. 

[MePlat]

Don't you think it would be better asked of JD Jones since it is an SSK brake?  That is where I would turn if it were me.
I find it odd that one would as that question on an internet forum when one could have just as easily e-mail SSK and got an answer from the horses mouth since there are many variations of brakes,  porting,  etc out there.
Who knows their brake better than the person who's shop do them?

[sdb777]

I own a T/C Contender in 45-70G with a brake.
Normal loads consist of 500gr WNFP Beartooth Bullets.  These bullets are cast hard enough not to expand at the base when going through the brake(Hayden Oliver design).  Soft bullets can(and likely will) expand and have pieces of lead fly from the ports(not a great way to make friends next to you at the firing line).
The brake was designed with .015" of clearance, and is very efficient when firing these heavy loads.  And the price was right!!!



Are you having problems?
Scott B

[jhalcott]

  When I shoot MY 45-70 ported barrel with cast, I get a gray coating on the sides of the ports that APPEARS to be lead. It cleans up very easily though. I use Hornady or Gator checks. The kind that crimp on. Lyman checks do NOT crimp on. I made a "tent" from a target and shot thru it to see if there were any lead flakes leaving the ports. There were none,BUT, I have round ports in my barrel and NO expansion chamber/s. Your results may be different. When I asked JDJ about using cast in the 358JDJ he replied that" many try it, but few succeed!"  Feel free to prove him wrong,or at least try to!  I don't believe that a muzzle brake installed properly will cause accuracy problems. It almost always IMPROVES accuracy because the recoil is felt less.

[blhof]

I have an SSK brake on a 30/30 barrel that I shoot gas checked hard casts from with excellent results.  I do tend to get a grey build up on the ports, but it does clean up easily and accuracy is as good as jacketed for a heck of a lot less.

[44joe]

Thanks for all the replies, that's why I would post such a question on an internet forum.  There is a very diverse group of shooters here and I think the more opinions the better.  It is a valid question, why not call the guy who made it.  I have found that "most" shops will take the time to answer a question, but they may be busy building someones custom gun.  I would hate to take someone away from such an important job !  I know when I'm in my garage rebuilding a engine or such, I hate being bugged by the phone.  But unlike a gunsmith in his shop, for the most part everone on the forum is ready to type away and give there opinion good or bad.  Heck if they are infront of the computer, how far away is the keyboard.

I didn't buy the barrel new, I bought it with the brake already on it.  I think I will give the beartooth bullets a try.  From what it sounds like, I might get a little lead on the ports but if they clean up easily, but more importantly if they shoot good,  why not.  500 gr WNFP, that must be a load.  I only hunt deer, they can get pretty big around here, but not 500 gr big.  I have had good luck with beartooth bullets in the 44 SRH.

Joe