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Thread: need load help, 44mag, lee 240g swc, gc, pc, 20in rifle

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy Shadow9mm's Avatar
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    need load help, 44mag, lee 240g swc, gc, pc, 20in rifle

    hey, getting into casting and loading for cast boolits. I am using a lee mold for a 240g SWC GC. Bullets are powder coated and gas checked. I am using repurposed bullets that around 13bhn air cooled, unknown water dropped. I cast 2 small batches 1 air cooled, 1 water dropped.

    I am used to using h110 with jacketed bullets. these bullets seat deeper than my jacketed bullets and I am not finding much data for h110 with lead bullets

    looking for a full power hunting load.

    the semi suitable powders I have on hand are
    h110
    power pistol
    HP-38
    CFE Pistol
    AA #7

    I did a little digging and found these loads from Hodgdon
    CFE Pistol start 9.9 at 1117, max 11.9 at 1299
    HP-38 start 5.5 at 800, max 11.0 at 1344
    #7 start 14.7 at 1180, max 6.3 at 1341

    do these loads seem ok?
    would I be ok to use jacketed data slightly reduced with H110 as they seat deeper, in the 22-24g range?

    should i expect any leading issues? with the air cooled or water dropped bullets since they are PC?

    some guidance would be much appreciated.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master 243winxb's Avatar
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    23 grs is my max with plain base cast.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 20200311_094030.jpg  

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master

    gwpercle's Avatar
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    Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th edition
    44 Magnum / H110 powder / magnum primer /
    240 gr. Cast SWC / Lyman #429667

    Start load : 22.5 grs. @ 1204 fps

    Maximum load : 23.5 grs. @ 1266 fps

    This is cast boolit data ...best to use cast data for cast boolits .
    Start low and work up ...there isn't much between start and max !
    23.0 grs. is right in between start and max ...see post #2 .
    Gary
    Certified Cajun
    Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
    " Let's Go Brandon !"

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy Dom's Avatar
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    You didn't mention the rifle. Makes a difference. For instance. Marlin micro grove with 1/38 twist. Fine for bullets up to 260gr. Winchester 1/20 twist will stabilized bullets over 300gr. In a rifle I prefer bullets of at least 260gr. Like 280 & 310gr better. I shoot 2400 exclusively so can't comment on any of your powders.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
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    I don't want to add to your troubles, but you may find the SWC a real problem to get to feed through a lever gun. I'd look at a 240 - 250 gr. RNFP, with no sharp shoulder at the driving band. I doubt that you or the target will notice a difference in terminal effect between those and a LSWC delivered at the same speed.
    SOMETHING ELSE: When I replace my cast lead projectiles with polymer-coated ones of the same configuration, I tend to clock higher velocities for the same charge weights. I'm guessing it's the higher lubricity of the polymer coating.
    Last edited by Kosh75287; 03-14-2022 at 08:17 PM.
    For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Ecclesiastes 1:18
    He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool become servant to the wise of heart. Proverbs 11:29
    ...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40


    Carpe SCOTCH!

  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy Shadow9mm's Avatar
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    rifle is a henry big boy 20in steel side gate, 1:20 twist.

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy Shadow9mm's Avatar
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    They seem to feed fine as long as I move the lever smoothly. I much prefer a WFN but I am just getting into 44mag/spl, and the lee die was the quickest and easiest to get while I wait for a NOE mold to come in stock, and they are cheaper than the XTP's I have been using.

  8. #8
    Boolit Grand Master Bazoo's Avatar
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    I have an RCBS 44-240-SWC. It measures .340 from base to middle of the crimp groove. If that’s close then you have a good start for data.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check