Reloading cast lead for lever guns challenges.

Blurry1

FNG
Joined
Dec 31, 2024
Messages
10
I don’t think this has been discussed. I recently bought a 44mag Henry and worked up a nice deer load with h110 and xtp’s. I’ve never messed with cast bullets but decided to work up some plinking loads with some Missouri bullet 200gn coated bullets. I quickly learned that the h110 just pushes them too fast. Lower charges produced sooty cases and increased charges led to rapidly decreasing accuracy. I briefly tried cfe pistol but the low case fill makes me too uncomfortable with the risk of double charges. Take 3: I loaded up some rounds with Shooters World Heavy pistol. Accuracy improved up to 17.5 gn (2in group @ 50yds) and then expanded groups at 18 and 18.5 gn. The question: I have a couple more grains before max. Does anyone find improved accuracy going upward in charge after the groups start to spread with cast or is it a waste of powder as I suspect? Thanks for your thoughts.
 

49ereric

WKR
Joined
Jun 21, 2022
Messages
949
To fast? Barrel Leading issue? How hard are the bullets? 12 or 18 BHN? Tell us which bullet you are using not just the grain.
I don’t reload cast lead for rifles yet but at some point but I have the concerns you seem to mention. You might have to slug the barrel to get the size correct.


I remember something about 44 mag rifle having a larger bore than revolvers so a .430 cast bullet might be to small.
A quick search.
The bore in that case is 12 groove, with a .423(+2/-0) bore diameter and .430(+2) groove diameter. I can say that our bore specs are set with the goal of optimizing jacketed bullet performance.
 
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