44-Special Alloy

[.458]

I'd like to know what the hardness of the boolit is that you shoot in your 44 and 38 Specials. What shoots well in my Casull doesn't shoot well in my specials. Probably too hard to obturate at the lower pressure. I'm looking for a starting point before I begin testing.

I've already slugged the bores and cylinders and I have the proper sizing dies and molds both plain-base and GC styles. I have a Lee hardness tester that seems to be very consistent once I learned to deal with the microscope. I also have a hundred pounds of pure lead and 50 pounds of Hardball and Superhard from Rotometals so I'm ready to start casting. Suggestions from the experienced casters would be appreciated. Thanks

[dualsport]

Wheel weights. Quenched from the mold for upper end higher pressure loads, as-is for mid-range, and mixed 50/50 with lead for low pressure target loads. That would roughly be a bhn range of 8/9, 11/12, and maybe 20/22. I've found that with a good fit alloy hardness is not that critical in my guns.

[.458]

Lead wheel weights don't exist in the liberal state of Washington anymore. That's why I had to buy expensive foundry lead. Grab all you can because other states will soon follow.

[.22-10-45]

Hello, .458 I have found range lead, mixed with soft scrap & just enough tin (50-50 solder) added for good flow to be all I need in my revolver loads from .32 WCF up thru .45 long colt.
These are used in S.A.A. & S&W 19 & 27, and are light but accurate target loads.

[Dale53]

My "standard" bullet alloy is WW's+2% tin. That works well in my .32's, .38/.357, .44 Special/magnum, and 45 Colt/.45 ACP.

Excellent accuracy, no leading, and casts well.

My lube is currently Lars White Label Carnauba Red.

Dale53

[captaint]

I've been using 50/50 in my 44 SPL. I don't run it hard, and my BHN is probably around 9 or so. Been working great - clean barrel. enjoy Mike

[MtGun44]

8 to 14 BHN works fine in .44 Mag, Spl, .357 Mag and Spl.

Bill

[paul h]

I shoot straight ww's that are air cooled. If I had a supply of pure lead I'd run it 50/50 w/ the wheel weights.

It's possible as you're experienced loading the 454 that perhaps you are using too heavy of a crimp. I'd look at that as well as confirming the bullets are 0.001" over groove dia before playing with alloys. No reason not to go with a softer alloy, but there might also be something else at play.

[Stick_man]

I am loading 50/50 WW/Pure for all my handgun needs, .38spl through .44mag, target through hunting. Could probably go softer for the target loads, but why mess with a good thing?

[williamwaco]

8 to 14 BHN works fine in .44 Mag, Spl, .357 Mag and Spl.

Bill

Me too.

Reclaimed bullet cores = aprox 8
Clip on wheel weights = approx 12



.

[.458]

Thanks guys. I've got about 10 pounds of alloy mixed up that a Lee hardness tester creates a .076" diameter dimple in. Just waiting on a new RCBS mold to show up. I've been a shooter for 49 years and a handloader for 36 of those. I've cast muzzleloader rounds for 20 years or so but boolits are a new game for me. With all of the variables involved I expect to stay entertained well into my adulthood.

[StrawHat]

Anyone remember what recipe Elmer Keith used for the 44 Specail? 16/1, 20/1??? I remember it was a harder binary alloy but do not recall the exact recipe.

[jabo52521]

It was 16/1. Give it a try.

[runfiverun]

he did recommend 20-1 for hunting in the later 50's.
i mix all the stick ons with my clip ons in the proportion i was getting them in.
about 3 clip on to 1 stick on.
and throw a bit of tin in the pot when i remember to.

[mdi]

If you can't get any wheel weights (which are getting impossible to find thanks to do-gooder tree huggers!), and have to buy alloy, try 50-50 Lyman #2 and pure or range lead. Pure and #2 will be about 10-12 BHN and Range lead will prolly be a little harder, depending on how hard/soft the bunch you get measures...