Lee C452-300-RF in 50/50+2%?

[DougGuy]

I have some of these boolits in air cooled Lyman #2, but I am wondering if I might get better groups with 50/50+2% tin. I shoot the C430-310-RF in a 7 1/2" SBH and it flat out loves this softer alloy!

So far with the 4 5/8" .45 Colt, groups are acceptable for hunting at short distances but it seems like it could be considerably better, being that the gun is dimensionally corrected in the cylinder throats, and Taylor throated in the barrel. It just hasn't "clicked" yet and I am thinking the softer alloy may just be the ticket. I don't cast but if someone casts this boolit in 50/50+2% and can spare some samples, I'd love to have some to try.

[Wayne Smith]

Its certainly worth a try. I don't have that mold though. Straight 50/50 or +2%Sb would do.

[dubber123]

What is the difference in velocity between the 2 guns? I have a 310 SWC from a group buy. It has a definite velocity threshold. You go below it, and it shoots progressively worse. There was 50+ people in on the buy, and the only ones reporting any accuracy were pushing it hard. I just tried it at 1,350 from a 7-1/2" BH last week, and it shot in 2" at 50 yds., and I'm kinda rusty. The 300 RF I had cast at 320 grs. and you might be shooting it just a little slow from the 4-5/8" barrel. Good luck.

[DougGuy]

I wish I had a chrony to answer that question truthfully. The 310 in the .44 is maybe 1170f/s the 320 in the .45 is probably 1060f/s. If I bump up the powder charge in the .45 it starts shooting below the sights. It may be that there's nothing at all technically "wrong" with the loads, they just aren't moving fast enough to stabilize.

I'd still try the 50/50+2% if I can get some.

[dubber123]

I have some loads worked up with that boolit in a 4" barrel. Whats your load? I might have one close to guesstimate your velocity.

[DougGuy]

20.0gr and also 20.5gr LilGun

22.0gr H110

17.0gr H2400

Seated long in new Starline brass, WLP primers.

[dubber123]

I have 16.0 grains of 2400 in Federal brass, seated short, very heavy crimp as averaging 893 with a 30 fps. variation. I have 20.0 grains of H-110, mag primers, seated short in Federal brass, heavy crimp averaging 1,062 fps., 26 fps. variation.

Probably not much help, as I'm seated deeper. I also found at least with Unique, the thicker Federal brass required a full 1.5 grain reduction in charge weight to equal R-P brass in velocity. I'm not sure how Federal compares to Starline.