Author Topic: No Expansion (Read 737 times)

jh45gun · « **on:** November 01, 2004, 04:59:10 PM »

This is related to my 308 cast post. My buddy called me today where I skined and quartered my buck he said he found one of my bullets on the garage floor under the hide. Said I could reload it again ( Joking) Said it did not expand at all. I suppose this explains some what why the buck got back up. I will have to go with a flatter tip bullet as suggested and a softer alloy. Since I bought these I do not know what they alloyed at but I could scratch them but then the gun shop I go to said you can scratch lino if you try hard enough. Jim Note any one have any favorite alloys for hunting bullets? Is straight wheel weights to hard? I do have some soft lead and 50/50 solder on hand and the wheel weights. Jim

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** November 01, 2004, 06:02:13 PM »

Been using straight linotype for years and also some straight wheel weights. In spite of what many say both are just fine as is from my years of experience with them. Only thing you did wrong was you didn't push it fast enough if it was under the hide. The only bullet I've ever recovered from a deer shot with a .44 Mag was a pre XTP Hornady 180 JHP. They were super accurate and I was using 12.5 grains of Unique under them. Not even near a max load but it was oh so accurate in that long barrel Model 29 I'm holding in my avatar photo. I won every iron sight match they shot with that combination one year in B'ham, AL at the Magic City club. So I decided to use it on deer. It killed the deer stone cold dead and it didn't go more than 25 yards. But the bullet was under the hide on far side. I like exit holes so I've never used a 180 in the .44 since. All of my 240s have gone thru and exited and that's the way I like it.

Flash · « **Reply #2 on:** November 02, 2004, 12:18:27 AM »

Yes, I agree with GB in that you didn't have enough velocity to expand it. as you mentioned in your other post, you used a Encore handgun. Well, the load was most likely chronographed in a rifle barrel from the data you listed(19gr. 2400 = 1850 fps) and you were using a much shorter barrel for much less velocity.

jh45gun · « **Reply #3 on:** November 02, 2004, 01:15:21 AM »

Flash I never thought of that! Good idea I guess I will have to take that into consideration and try to figure out a load for it. Jim

Flash · « **Reply #4 on:** November 02, 2004, 10:37:42 AM »

My guess would be around 1,600 fps out of a handgun barrel. You might have to choose another powder that's faster than 2400 to reach some good velocities.

Bug · « **Reply #5 on:** November 03, 2004, 12:35:00 AM »

Jim,
I have found straight wheelweight alloy to be about optimum for ductility and penetration. Bullets can be driven to 2000+fps. given correct sizing and lube. They will penetrate just fine, and they are soft enough that they don't shatter on heavy bone. They will shed a bit of weight (usually about 30%), and they will also mushroom/rivet a bit. The few I have recovered show about +25% increase in diameter. In few words, I like 'em! HTH.

Duffy · « **Reply #6 on:** November 06, 2004, 08:03:08 PM »

You have to forget about expantion with cast bullets. Slightly yes, but not like a jacketed one. To obtain that type of expantion it would be too soft to shoot well. Straight lino simply shatters and so will hardedned WW but to a much lesser degree. As Bug mentioned you want it hard enough to get the vel but ductile so that it doesn't explode on bone. A nice flat nose really helps and doesn't hurt vel or accuracy either.

Graybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** November 07, 2004, 06:48:18 AM »

Quote

Straight lino simply shatters

This is an oft repeated myth. The origin of it is I suppose lost in time but it is just that a MYTH.

I've been using bullets cast of linotype for at least 35 years and have shot them into all sorts of things. The ONLY thing that shatters them is a stell plate. Guess what? It does it to all sorts of bullets lead or jacketed. None of them can hit a solid stell plate and come out much better.

I've hit bone, rock, extremely hard wood, dirt, sand, mud and most everything in between. Never had one to shatter on any of it yet. This myth really needs to be put to bed.

Flash · « **Reply #8 on:** November 07, 2004, 07:02:25 AM »

Yes, that is correct GB. I have never had one shatter on me either. The bullets cast from linotype, babbitt or wheel weights will be hard, without a doubt, but never harder than bone or flesh. I have used straight babbitt with gas checks on 30 caliber rifle bullets and had them drill through wet phone books but never break apart.

The Shrink · « **Reply #9 on:** November 07, 2004, 07:07:25 AM »

You can cast an expanding bullet. All you need is a pot of pure lead and a very small dipper made from a pistol cartridge along side your normal setup. Just put a small dipper of pure lead in the nose of your mold and then pour the rest in the normal way. You now have a soft nose cast bullet.

Duffy · « **Reply #10 on:** November 07, 2004, 11:06:31 AM »

I have some 44's of pure lino that the noses are broken into pieces after going through the target and stopping in a gravel pile. I suppose you couldn't consider it "shattering" but it's Broken!

Were all kinda nit-picky this week huh?