some powder questions for lead bullets

[usmc0811]

I just started to cast my own lead bullets and have cast over 700 .40 cal. bullets 175 grain TC. My first question is they are coming out on the heavy side, anywhere between 180-189 grains I'm guessing that's ok right? just adjust my powder according to what the manual says for that grain lead bullet, right? My other question is I want to load some up now but all I have as far as powder is Hodgdon HS-6 that I was using to load my .45ACP bullets. I want to use what I have left of it on these .40 cal. bullets I just made but when I look at my reloading manual #14 they only show load data for other type of bullets not cast lead could I still use the data as long as it is the same grain weight bullets? I think im going to look for Accurate #2,5 or #7 as it will work for 185 grain bullets. Any tips or advice im all ears, Thanks.

[454PB]

Yes. It's not unusual for a mould to cast on the heavy side, the alloy used has a big effect. My Lee mould like yours casts around 180 grains in WW alloy.

Load data for jacketed bullets can be used for cast boolits. HS6 works fine in 40 S&W, but keep seating depth in mind when using data from a specific jacketed bullet for cast boolits. Actually, seating depth has more effect on pressure than whether it's jacketed or cast.

[tazman]

This link will take you to the Hodgdon data site where you can get loads for many different powders and cartridges.
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/
HS6 is a good powder for 40S&W.
It is normal for molds to drop boolits a bit on the heavy side. The weight depends on the particular alloy you are using.
As is normal practice, start with the lower starting weights and work your way up to max charges. Each gun makes it's own rules as far as the maximum charge it will accept.

[geargnasher]

+3 for HS6.

Gear

[usmc0811]

Sounds good guys. I will try the HS-6 that I have left, probably enough to do close to 50 rounds. When that's all used up I will look around to see what other powder is in stock and grab whatever I can find that will work. I will try to find some in the local stores so I don't have to pay a hazmat fee.

[usmc0811]

Did another 535 this morning, they all look good except for the first few attempts, guess I was not hot enough. My total now is over 1,200 and still have lots more lead to do other calibers, I was thinking of doing .45acp next.:)

[MtGun44]

.45 ACP is a lot easier than .40, you may want to start there.

Bill

[usmc0811]

.45 ACP is a lot easier than .40, you may want to start there.

Bill
I already loaded up 1,000 45 acp rounds with my lee press and cast bullets that I bought.
Now I'm just starting to get into casting my own bullets and want to do the .40 since I have lots of brass all cleaned up and ready to go for it.

[fredj338]

when I look at my reloading manual #14 they only show load data for other type of bullets not cast lead could I still use the data as long as it is the same grain weight bullets? I think im going to look for Accurate #2,5 or #7 as it will work for 185 grain bullets. Any tips or advice im all ears, Thanks.
Lead bullets load with lighter charge wts than jacketed. SO using starting jacketed data for sim wt lead bullet is fine. Just don't try using the top end data, it's likely to end badly.

[gwpercle]

If no load data is listed for the actual weight of your cast boolit 180-189 grains, use the data listed for the moulds listed weight 175 grains. It's sometimes hard enough to find data and trying to find it for an odd boolit weight may be nearly impossible. Hence the advice to start low and work up. You will stay out of trouble doing this.
Load Safe.....Gary

[spfd1903]

The fourth edition of the Lyman cast bullet handbook has an HS-6 load of 7.0 to a max. of 8.6 for the Lyman 401638, 175 grain TC. Listed OAL is 1.10.

[usmc0811]

The fourth edition of the Lyman cast bullet handbook has an HS-6 load of 7.0 to a max. of 8.6 for the Lyman 401638, 175 grain TC. Listed OAL is 1.10.
Thank you all very much. This forum is so helpful.

[Jim..47]

I also shoot both 40 S&W and 45ACP, and use Bullseye for both of them.