how much WW296 for lazer cast 300?

[healey55]

I bought some lazer cast 300 grain bullets for 44 mag and couldn't really find any info on how much 296 to use with this bullet. I settled on 18.0 grains to be safe.. is safe the right word with 296? most powders ask you to reduce max loads but WW296 says to run em full bore.

I bought a magma mold that is the same as the lazer cast 300 but without the bevel base. It comes out about 290 with wheel weights.

I am running the same 18 grains of 296 or.. 18.3 now and out of a revolver they chrono at 1150 fps and they are about 1400 out of a 20" levergun, marlin or henry.

Pretty sure I can go up in powder but the load shoots really well.

[O.S.O.K.]

21 grains is a good load with a 300 grain boolit. Gives 1300 fps out of a revolver and 1500ish out of a levergun.

[Freischütz]

Over the years I've seen the 21 gr load recommended. I've had excellent accuracy with it in my SBH. Velocity was about 1325 fps.

[JesterGrin_1]

Just to let you know those lazer cast will lead the barrel bad. They are too small. For the Marlin you need at least a .432 size. But slug yours and see what you find.

[Bret4207]

My thoughts echo Jesters, you'll be a very lucky guy if those Lazercast are large enough. But, you never know, if you boot them hard enough they may obturate enough to work. A poor way of doing things IMO, but it can work.

[GabbyM]

Well guys he wrote that he'd purchased a Magma mould like the Lazer-cast bullet but without the bevel base. So I assume he has the 285 grain truncated cone. Healy55 you're giving Lazer-cast way to much credit where it isn't due. lol

Their is data in the load books for several 300 grain jacketed bullets. It appears to vary quite a bit from book to book. From 19 to 22 grains. Oddly the Lyman book list both AA #9 and IMR 4227 with higher velocity than WW296 with 300 grain J bullet. They are using a 4” barrel gun for some strange reason though which may favor a faster powder. Over on the rifle section WW296 out runs IMR-4227 by 120 fps. They list max of 22.0 grains for 1652 fps with a 265 grain J bullet. In the handgun section they list the Lyman 300 grain #429650 GC boolit to start with 18.2 grains and max at 19.0 grains. That is a big nose Kieth SWC and I'd bet the Magma TC bullet would have more bullet inside the case. They also list 18.5 as max with H-110 which is the same as WW-296. You're 18.0 gain load would appear to be within operating range. You might try some at 18.5 and over to see how they do if you've the inclination to test loads. Lyman list 17.7 grains of 2400 as their accuracy load. That would be a more pleasant load to shoot and in the revolver you'd not give up much velocity.

What ever diameter you're running I'd say if it isn't broke don't fix it. If you want to try large bullets you could probably hand lube a couple dozen up then load as cast diameter which is probably in the .432" to .433" range.

[healey55]

gabby... thanks.. right to the point.

Yes, as you say.. I am running the magma flat base at 285 grain that comes out at 290 for WW.

I use LBT soft blue lube and size at .431 I get no leading at all in my cut to 4" Redhawk or my Henry big boy 44 mag.

I seen the same data that you did for H-110 that listed a max of 18.5 and that gave me pause. I knew a guy who used to run 300 jacketed bullets at 18.0 of ww 296 and the overall length was the same.

I am at 18.3 and the load shoots well. I also use a load of 11.5 of AA#5 that is pleasant and doesn't give up much velocity to the WW 296 load

I like AA #5 for medium to fast loads in my 44 mag as it is much cleaner than unique for me with lest blast and flash for more punch.