LEE 310-430 load data

[like it all]

Just got a LEE 310-430 mold for my 77/44. I would like to work up some 296 loads for it. As close as I can determine 19 to 22 grs is my ballpark, which seems a little high. I haven't seen any numbers as to overall length, and as this would be a very close to top end load, I would rather error on the side of caution. I am still looking for a source of 2400 or 4227, but 296 is all I could get. Unique I have, but I believe it's a bit too fast for this bullet. Still have a little blue dot left as well. Any suggestions fellas! Maybe I need to breakdown and buy a LEE reloading manual.

[Hamish]

One of our members advised me a couple weeks ago that 10.0 of Unique is his favorite with this boolit.

" Maybe I need to breakdown and buy a LEE reloading manual."

Yup, and any other manual you can get your hands on. The internet is good a lot of the time, but for hard evidence of safe loads, having a manual in your hands is the one sure way of avoiding problems.

[TCLouis]

Your range of 296 sounds about right, and sort of jives with the 17.1 - 20.4 for Hornady 300 grain coated projie in Hornady pistol load listing.

When I shot this through the SRH the source I used listed 310 and 17.5 to something along the line of 22.5. Accuracy went further south the more powder I added after 18.5
I found the most accurate load ever fired out of that SRH with 18.5 grains of a powder that is/was H110 equivilent. Velocity was in the 1100 fps range

[jmort]

I have new and old Modern Reloading and they are good and must haves in my opinion, but Lyman's 4th Cast Bullet manual is best for cast. Also, Load Data subscription has good info as well. All the available data, plus everything from Handloader magazine and Pet Loads. Unique and Blue Dot are my two favorites for handgun/rifle/shotgun. Very useful.


Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS)
310 RCBS 44-300-SWC cast Alliant Unique 10.0 1098
Remarks: rounds per pound: 700
310 RCBS 44-300-SWC cast Hodgdon H-110 21.0 1290
Remarks: primer: Federal 155; rounds per pound: 333

Here is some Blue Dot data for 300 grain which you could reduce slightly

300 Cast #429650 gas check Alliant Blue Dot 10.5 761
Remarks: sugg. start load; 1.700" OAL; 22,400 cup
300 Cast #429650 gas check Alliant Blue Dot 11.7 895
Remarks: max load; 1.700" OAL; 33,200 cup

[AlaskanGuy]

I have used unique many times for this bullet... One of my favorites.... I have used as little as 7.5 grains and as much as 10.5... Just works well... Even AlaskanGurl and AlaskanKid shoot my 44 with 7.5 grains of unique and can handle the big bullet just fine.... Try it... You wont be sorry... Easy on the hands and wrist.

[waco]

44Man would tell you to load that boolit over 21.5gr 296 sparked by a NONE magnum Federal primer.

[AlaskanGuy]

You will definatly feel the 296 load...lol ... Try unique.... The 296 is a good full power load though..... So is Ramshot enforcer..... A bit harder on the wrists though...

[waco]

You need the speed to stabilize that boolit light loads will not work with that heavy a boolit.

[AlaskanGuy]

I am not sure about that one Waco, AlaskanGurl was hitting the paper pretty good with 7.5 in mine at about 25-30 yards... I should have taken pics... And they were nice clean holes... No key holing.... I will take my ipad next time so i can get some pics... We use paper plates, and she was shooting off hand, so the groups weren't great, but they were on the 9 inch plate.... I think she kept the target..... I will ask her and post if she still has it...

Found it.... The plate aint purty, but she did ok... The gun is heave for her, but she did ok... Here is the pic.....
Attachment 88933

[waco]

I am not sure about that one Waco, AlaskanGurl was hitting the paper pretty good with 7.5 in mine at about 25-30 yards... I should have taken pics... And they were nice clean holes... No key holing.... I will take my ipad next time so i can get some pics... We use paper plates, and she was shooting off hand, so the groups weren't great, but they were on the 9 inch plate.... I think she kept the target..... I will ask her and post if she still has it...



Found it.... The plate aint purty, but she did ok... The gun is heave for her, but she did ok... Here is the pic.....
Attachment 88933

OK! I stand corrected! Nice shooting!

[161]

I like that mold also. Mine however when I use the .430 sizer to crimp the GC on does not squeeze the check down tight. They stay on but you can still turn them on the base of the boolit. Don't know if that bad or not.

[AlaskanGuy]

161, tell me about your alloy, might need to try a different alloy.... Could you post a close up of your completed boolit with the gas check installed... Close up as you can that is clear..... Just wanna see how your sizer is cutting the bullet.... If it has lube on it, please wipe it off...

AG

[161]

Well I don't want to take over somebody this post. But here you are. Alloy is straight WW air cooled. Boolit drops .4295-.430. Shank is .397. If I read things right

[AlaskanGuy]

Attachment 89025

If the tin doesn't help, you could get some very fine paper and use a dermal to hone the die just a scosh, just a very tiny bit of honing will do the job.... I am sure that if you slug your revolver, you will find that the bullet is a bit loose. See if you cant get the mold to drop around 431, then you are in business... Feel free to PM me if you wanna.

AG

[454PB]

I don't have a .44 magnum rifle, but in my handguns, I use 14 grs. of BlueDot with this boolit. I seat to crimp in the lower groove.

[WILCO]

Any suggestions fellas! Maybe I need to breakdown and buy a LEE reloading manual.

Very dangerous to be working without a manual of any type.

[Iowa Fox]

161
I found that 100% base fill out is really critical on my mold to get the checks to crimp on nice and tight. Also Gator checks crimp on tighter using the 430 sizing die than the Hornady checks. For sure the Lee 430 310 is a good bullet.

[like it all]

I wonder why this particular bullet is such an orphan to the reloading manuals. None of my Lyman manuals list anything larger than a 250. the Hogden on line doesn't list it either. Is this a relatively new design? Is it listed in the LEE manual?

[ultramag]

I wonder why this particular bullet is such an orphan to the reloading manuals. None of my Lyman manuals list anything larger than a 250. the Hogden on line doesn't list it either. Is this a relatively new design? Is it listed in the LEE manual?

This exact bullet is in the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook #4. There's another 300 grainer as well, Saeco IIRC.

[WILCO]

Is it listed in the LEE manual?

Both the 1st and 2nd editions of Modern Reloading have load data for the
.44 Remington Magnum and 300/310 gr. lead bullets.

This exact bullet is in the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook #4. There's another 300 grainer as well, Saeco IIRC.

The Lyman 4th Edition Cast Bullet handbook lists the data under Rifle and Handgun, while stating that cartridge pressure limits are the same. The rifle data addresses accuracy issues.