cast-n-blast
03-29-2009, 01:34 PM
After years of admiring the guns of Freedom Arms, I finally obtained a used model 83 in .454 Casull , with 7.5 " barrel. Of course, cast bullets were the main fodder for my new to me acquisition.
We all know Freedom Arms are known for their extremely tight tolerences. Would I be able to load cast loads that fit in my gun ? Of course. I've been reloading and casting my own for 20+ years. Guess what ? I loaded some freshly cast RCBS 300gr SWC w/ GC, and the RCBS 270 gr SAA. The darn things would not chamber all the way:twisted:.What to do :roll:?.
I remember reading in John Taffin's "Big Bore sixguns" that RCBS sizing dies are tapered, being larger at the top, tapering down to desired size, the deeper you push the slug. I sized my slugs .452".
I remember having a LEE .452" push thru sizing die in the reload room. Took advantage, and quickly ran the slugs thru the die in short order. Reloaded the re-sized slugs, and the re-loaded rounds dropped to the bottom of the cylinder with a resounding thunk. Music to my ears:drinks:.
So there you have it, when loading cast in your Freedom Arms and you're having trouble chambering your rounds, re-size your lubed bullets in the Lee push thru sizer die. It only takes a few minutes, and makes your effort well worth it.
We all know Freedom Arms are known for their extremely tight tolerences. Would I be able to load cast loads that fit in my gun ? Of course. I've been reloading and casting my own for 20+ years. Guess what ? I loaded some freshly cast RCBS 300gr SWC w/ GC, and the RCBS 270 gr SAA. The darn things would not chamber all the way:twisted:.What to do :roll:?.
I remember reading in John Taffin's "Big Bore sixguns" that RCBS sizing dies are tapered, being larger at the top, tapering down to desired size, the deeper you push the slug. I sized my slugs .452".
I remember having a LEE .452" push thru sizing die in the reload room. Took advantage, and quickly ran the slugs thru the die in short order. Reloaded the re-sized slugs, and the re-loaded rounds dropped to the bottom of the cylinder with a resounding thunk. Music to my ears:drinks:.
So there you have it, when loading cast in your Freedom Arms and you're having trouble chambering your rounds, re-size your lubed bullets in the Lee push thru sizer die. It only takes a few minutes, and makes your effort well worth it.