Author Topic: Reloading cast bullets?  (Read 626 times)

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Offline erickrschaefer

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Reloading cast bullets?
« on: February 21, 2004, 05:24:35 AM »
A while back I asked about the 200gr xtp for deer and after considering all the advice given, I decided I would go the other extreme and try a heavy cast bullet. I just loaded up some 300gr RNFPGC bullets over 20gr of H110 in a remmington case with a CCI 350. My firing range only allows me a 40yd shot and I was able to shoot 6 into just over 1", if it wasn't for one flier it would have been under 1'. This was from a SBHH with 7.5" barrel. The only cast bullet data I have says that 20gr of H110 is max. There was no excessive  pressure signs and in fact half of the emptys fell out of the cylinder without having to be pushed. I have some jacketed bullet data that shows a higher max charge with 300gr bullets and I would like to know if this data can be used for cast bullets? I don't have to have my loads maxed out but I do like to get as much as I can from them. The recoil was noticebly lighter than the 200gr xtp with 27.5gr of H110. I would also like to know if you guys think that bullet would be good for deer. Thanks for helping out a rookie handgunner.

Erick

Offline wyote

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Reloading cast bullets?
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2004, 06:26:40 AM »
I use jacketed bullet data on all my cast loads. Some will say you'll get more leading but since you've got gc bullet it will be less than plain bases

BTW you will get less pressure with cast bullets that you will with jacketed bullets
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Offline Flinch

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Reloading cast bullets?
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2004, 06:27:35 AM »
I have been shooting the lee 310 gr. gas checked bullet with 21 gr h110, getting 1359 fps. average from my 44mag super blackhawk. So far this is my favorite load. It might be just over max but I havent had any problems with it. Its been my experience that cast bullets do get higher velocities with less pressure.

Offline Castaway

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Reloading cast bullets?
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2004, 09:14:47 AM »
Generally, you're safe using jacketed data with lead bullets. Differences arise when the bearing surface of the bullets are different, but most times, the softness of the lead mitigates a longer bearing surface on a lead bullet.  My caution is to not trust cases that fall out as a pressure indicator.  In straight walled cases, you can sometimes approach pressures that are double what shoud be put in a gun and they still might fall out.  Web expansion measuring is also not good indicator.  A chamber that is cut a little loose may give a measure that indicates a high pressure load, but may be way below SAAMI specs.  Different brass might also give a false reading.  I do look at primers though.  They can tell you if you've exceeded pressures, but may not tell you each and every time.  My guide is the published data from Hodgden and various powder manufactures since I don't have access to pressure testing equipment.  Black Hawks are brutally strong, I push my 45 Colt to 30,000 PSI and feel confident it can take anything that walks, crawls, creeps or flies in the the lower 48.  A 300 grainer doesn't have to go that awful fast to cause an inny and outy on a deer with a quartering shot.  If you get 1,200 f/s with a 300 grainer and it shoots accurately, I don't think you could ask for anything better.  My opinion and my 2 cents worth!