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stovepipe Super Member
Joined: Sep 25, 2008 Posts: 4877 Location: Pine, Az.
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Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 8:24 am Post subject: Re: Cast Bullets |
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Arrrgh...snake bit .
Loaded up some.38sp +P, 158gr HC SWC, non-GC, over 4.5gr of W-231.
Book says 17.5k psi. Figured these bullets were good to 20k psi w/ a BNH of 18 and I'd have some wiggle room.
Shot a few, kinda smokey, smelled lube, checked things out, didn't see any issues in the lighting at the range. Shot a few more off and on during my session and noticed the print wasn't sharp. Snappy little load from the 2" .357 but nothing out of control.
Got home, checked it out, looked like someone dripped molten solder all over the frame/front strap from all the splatter. Throats and force cone were leaded up as well. (38sp in a .357 chamber)
Great. I loaded up a bunch of these figuring they were in the ball park and would be a nice plinking load. So much for my math.
I was overly confident I got it right the first time with this recipe. Now I get to go back to the drawing board and load up some under and over and try and get it to seal up. And, look for new brushes cuz I killed all mine, probably a bullet puller too cuz it'll be worn out when this is over...and no one sells Chore-boy around here anymore either. Nice way to spend a Saturday night. Thank God for Butch's Bore Shine. Hope I don't kill the lands on these bullets too much by pulling them.
I aint too bright sometimes.
But I salvaged the weekend by getting my first 20 yesterday at the trap range with the lil "cheap shot" pump. I choked and dropped a bunch in a row...
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Pumpkinslinger Super Member
Joined: Sep 22, 2007 Posts: 5001 Location: NC foothills
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Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 8:55 am Post subject: Re: Cast Bullets |
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Sounds like the bullets are too hard. Maybe undersized?
Someone may have posted this before but ...
www.lasc.us/FryxellCom...Alloys.htm
_________________ Mike
"I ain't no better than anybody else, and there ain't nobody better than me!" Ma Kettle |
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stovepipe Super Member
Joined: Sep 25, 2008 Posts: 4877 Location: Pine, Az.
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Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:08 am Post subject: Re: Cast Bullets |
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I was thinkin' too much pressure or the wrong kind of pressure curve due to the wacky molten splatter on the frame/cyl throat fronts. I have some experimenting to do, obviously. Diam is pretty conistent at around .358"
Yeh, I've read the LASC ariticle a few years back. Good info. So is the second line in your sig. Back to the drawing board.
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sniper Super Member
Joined: Aug 18, 2005 Posts: 735 Location: Utah
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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 3:56 pm Post subject: Re: Cast Bullets |
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stovepipe wrote: |
I was thinkin' too much pressure or the wrong kind of pressure curve due to the wacky molten splatter on the frame/cyl throat fronts. I have some experimenting to do, obviously. Diam is pretty conistent at around .358" |
Is your leading at the forcing cone/barrel throat area, or generally throughout the barrel? If at the forcing cone area, it is likely to be a hardness/low pressure problem.
Your bullets may be too hard, so they don't obturate and fill the forcing cone/bore. The hot, high-pressure gas can then blow around the bullet, melting it, and the gas blows aroung the bullet, melting it, doing what you experienced. A higher pressure load may solve your problem. But then, maybe not. It could also be a lube problem, or a combination of factors, which which can definitely be an aggravation.
Good luck in your search.
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wiersy111 Super Member
Joined: May 13, 2009 Posts: 2376 Location: Central Minnesota
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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 7:42 pm Post subject: Re: Cast Bullets |
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So what did you figure out with your loads?
_________________ A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America " for an amount of "up to and including my life."
US ARMY RETIRED
The original point and click interface was a Smith & Wesson.
Being "Over the Hill" is much better then being under it! |
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stovepipe Super Member
Joined: Sep 25, 2008 Posts: 4877 Location: Pine, Az.
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Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 6:59 am Post subject: Re: Cast Bullets |
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I've been laid up sick of late. Stupid cold.
It leaded up the throats, cone and splattered the frame with molten lead that looked like solder dropped onto a hard surface.
I agree with both schools of thought in regards to too hot or too cold. My experience with lead is if yer within 10% of the BNH# in PSI you are usually pretty good to go with little or no issues with a powder the bullet/bore likes if ya don't overheat things.
Unique is good stuff, Trail Boss too but I have two lbs of W231 im trying to use up. I thought I'd be really close but...man was I way off.
I have some half grain high/low recipe fiddlin' to do with this one so... stay tuned. I'll have some results next week. Hopefully I'll have a camera by then too. Oh, reminds me...gotta get some new brushes too...
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chambered221 Super Member
Joined: Aug 17, 2007 Posts: 3455 Location: Lost for good !!!
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Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 7:09 am Post subject: Re: Cast Bullets |
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Was talking to a guy at the range about lead bullets and he said he conditions his bore with something to keep it from leading.
I thought maybe he was using T/C's bore butter but he said he buys it from a automotive store !!! (he couldn't remember the name of it )
Any thoughts on this ???
_________________ Ask as many people needed, sooner or later your question will be answered the way you want it answered !!!
A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.
~George Washington |
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stovepipe Super Member
Joined: Sep 25, 2008 Posts: 4877 Location: Pine, Az.
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Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 7:11 am Post subject: Re: Cast Bullets |
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Once ya find the magic combo (powder, charge, bullet/lube, gun) yer leading will be minimal, if at all.
Not too sure about them "bore conditioners".
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Pumpkinslinger Super Member
Joined: Sep 22, 2007 Posts: 5001 Location: NC foothills
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Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:12 am Post subject: Re: Cast Bullets |
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Something I've considered but haven't tried yet is using one of those vegetable wads under the bullet to see if it prevented the gas blow-by some.
Here is one source:
www.buffaloarms.com/br...2,248.html
_________________ Mike
"I ain't no better than anybody else, and there ain't nobody better than me!" Ma Kettle |
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stovepipe Super Member
Joined: Sep 25, 2008 Posts: 4877 Location: Pine, Az.
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Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:16 am Post subject: Re: Cast Bullets |
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Crap. I gotta look that link up at home... my work 'puter won't access it.
Hmmm....veggie gas checks? Brilliant!
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chambered221 Super Member
Joined: Aug 17, 2007 Posts: 3455 Location: Lost for good !!!
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Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:24 am Post subject: Re: Cast Bullets |
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After ya shoot them stovey.............just rinse them with some Ranch dressing to get the lead out/off !!!
Morning to ya Bushy !!! As well to everyone else !!!
_________________ Ask as many people needed, sooner or later your question will be answered the way you want it answered !!!
A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.
~George Washington
Last edited by chambered221 on Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:26 am; edited 1 time in total |
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stovepipe Super Member
Joined: Sep 25, 2008 Posts: 4877 Location: Pine, Az.
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Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:25 am Post subject: Re: Cast Bullets |
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mmmmm....Raaaanch.....*ahglglhahaglg*
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SilvertipGrizz Rookie Member
Joined: Oct 28, 2009 Posts: 19 Location: Tennessee - East
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 2:51 am Post subject: Re: Cast Bullets |
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Howdy, I'm new to the forum.
Two of the best references I've found on shooting cast bullets are:
1. Lee Precision's "MODERN RELOADING Second Edition"
Lee Precision, Inc.
This gives good info on matching the bullets BHN to the load's pressure.
2. BEARTOOTH BULLET TECHNICAL GUIDE
Beartooth Bullets
This gives good info on matching the bullet to the bore, and much more.
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Vince Site Admin
Joined: May 25, 2005 Posts: 15704 Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA
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Pumpkinslinger Super Member
Joined: Sep 22, 2007 Posts: 5001 Location: NC foothills
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:06 am Post subject: Re: Cast Bullets |
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Welcome Silvertip!
_________________ Mike
"I ain't no better than anybody else, and there ain't nobody better than me!" Ma Kettle |
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