MiHec #503 4 Cavity

[Iron Mike Golf]

Here's my first loading from this mold.

Alloy: 92-6-2
Drop dia: 0.433-0.434
Sized to: 0.431
Lube: Carnauba Red

edited to add: I did not weigh boolits. I just used a Mk I Eyeball for QC. Some had what I judged to be "cosmetic blemishes".

Firearm: Ruger Redhawk Hunter, 7.5 inch barrel, scoped.

I shot 5 round groups, 2 groups per charge. I shot off bags and target range was 50 feet.

This first set loads was 18.4 to 20.0 gr of Alliant 2400.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_169734d78417f5d28c.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=151)

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_169734d78417f65b55.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=152)

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_169734d78417f6cc9b.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=153)

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_169734d78419007753.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=154)

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_169734d7841900d511.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=155)

The bottom right round in the lst 20.0 gr group was a called flyer. The group size in parentheses is the size not counting that round. St Elmer's Fire is working pretty good for me!

Next up is full house W296. I ran out of range time tonight. Maybe tomorrow. I am loving this mold. These are the best shooting lead boolits I have experienced shooting in this gun.

[Dale53]

Iron Mike;
You take a good gun, an excellent shooter, one of the finest moulds in existence and add excellent bullet casting skills THAT is what you can expect!

Congratulations for having ALL of your "ducks in a row"!!

Dale53

[Iron Mike Golf]

Thanks, Dale! What powders are you looking at using for this boolit?

What I want now is spring to get here and hit the 100 yard line.

[ia1727]

Mike--

Very Impressive--congratulations--we're supposed to get 4" of snow here tonight--no range time for me for awhile.

Steve:coffee:

[Dale53]

Iron Mike;
My practice load in the .44 Magnum is 23.0 grs of H110/296. My hunting load is 24.0 grs of H110/296, all using this 250 gr Keith bullet (Mihec clone of the H&G #503). I have taken several deer with these loads. They are VERY reliable deer slayers. I have on two occasions shot clear through a large whitetail deer from end to end. I have NEVER recovered one of these bullets from a deer.

In the .44 Special, my most used load is the Skeeter load (7.5 grs of Unique behind the same bullet). Universal will work just as well as Unique and is cleaner burning.

For indoor gallery use, then 5.0 grs of Bullseye or equivalent will shoot extremely well. In fact, this load does well on the NRA Bullseye course at 25 and 50 yards (in the .44 Special).

Dale53

[Iron Mike Golf]

My next box is 21.0 to 23.0 of W296. I am using data from Speer #14 for the RCBS 44-250-K. Any other sources to consider?

I figured 5.0 gr or so of Bullseye would be a good plinking load and would be something like .45 ACP

[LAH]

Thanks Mike. I plan to shoot a bunch of these in my friend Ruger Bisley Hunter. My only 44 Mag. is a M29, 4" which is in the safe. I'll test this bullet with the Ruger. I like 20 grs. of 2400 & 23 grs. of H110/296.

[Iron Mike Golf]

LAH,

I am heading over to the range this afternoon, once I get the IMR 4227 loads finished. So I hope to have the W296 and IMR 4227 result posted by dinner.

Jeff

(Iron Mike Golf was my final Army callsign)

[Iron Mike Golf]

Dale,

I was tempted to use data for the 429421 from Lyman #49. But, there's a 10 gr weight difference and I don't have a chrony, yet. Is that close enough in weight to use the same data? I've only been reloading a year. Based on Lyman and your comments, it sounds like I still have some headroom in my loads.

Jeff

[Matt_G]

In the .44 Special, my most used load is the Skeeter load (7.5 grs of Unique behind the same bullet). Universal will work just as well as Unique and is cleaner burning.


How much Universal Dale?
I have a some leftover from some 12 gauge loads I was trying a few years back and this would be a good way to get rid of that last half pound or so.
Can you believe that the online Alliant Guide lists 6.9 grs. as the MAX load for Unique with a 250 gr. cast Keith style boolit? :roll:
Damn lawyers running amuck...

[Dale53]

Matt G;
I have a bit of sympathy with the loading manual publishers. They are "derned if they do, and derned if they don't'.

I find the 7.0-7.5 grs of Universal Clays will give you want you want (a load quite similar to the Skeeter load of 7.5 grs of Unique).

Everyone was quite comfortable with the "Ruger Only" loads for several years and then Ruger went and named their new, lighter, smaller, less strong, fixed sighted .45 Colt the "New" Vaquero. That kind of threw a monkey wrench into the works. Now, Lyman shows NO Ruger Only loads in their 4th Edition Cast Bullet Handbook. They are simply afraid of leading someone astray and then getting sued.

I truly wish that the reloading manuals had pressure tested data for the stronger .44 Specials like the post war S&W 24 and 624, as well as the post war Colt SAA and now the Ruger .44 Lipsey Special but they don't.

However, Brian Pearce has been filling that need through Handloader Magazine for several years. I believe that his data is completely reliable and he has the .44 Special revolvers broken down into three strength groups complete with loading data. See Handloading Magazine Aug-Sept 2005 issue # 236. Wolfe Publishing has these back issues available (for a fee) at their web site.

Dale53

[Dale53]

Iron Mike;
You won't have any problems using Lyman's data for the 429421 bullet. The lighter weight listed by Lyman is due to them being cast of Linotype. Linotype has more antimony and less lead and weighs less.

Dale53

[Iron Mike Golf]

I shot W296 and then IMR 4227 today, but will likely re-shoot. My scope is set for parallax at 50 yds. I am shooting at 50 ft and did not check for parallax until I was halfway through the IMR 4227 box. I was able to dramatically tighten things up by making sure my eye was properly centered.

I did have another issue with the 4227 loads. The load data in Speer #14 called for CCI 300 primers. When loading for the 6th group, I noticed the rounds did not drop into the chamber. I found unburned powder in the chamber and throat. I suspect that may account for the vertical stringing. Hogdon online data calls for Rem 2 1/2 primers. I will re-shoot these using WLP primers (don't have any Remmies).

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_169734d79850e0e611.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=161)

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_169734d79850e15f27.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=162)

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_169734d79850e20b04.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=163)

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_169734d79851fb49c5.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=164)

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_169734d79851fbb33b.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=165)

I'll get the IMR 4227 groups up shortly.

[Iron Mike Golf]

I made the photo a little easier on the eyes, I hope. Here's the IMR 4227 groups. For the last two, I just measured the lateral spread. I am hoping that going to a hotter primer will get more consistent ignition and get rid of the stringing.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_169734d7990af59336.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=166)

[LAH]

Yer shootin the eyes out of 'em Mike.

[Mal Paso]

I sent about 160 MP 432-256 boolits downrange yesterday. 4.25A 2.25T 93.5 Lead sized .431 over 19g 2400. I didn't do any accuracy tests but 3 5/8" at 25 yards offhand is good for me. Hope the rest of you get your molds quick.

[4719dave]

okay JUST ASKING !!!!!!! lyman #2 lead be okay to cast these .I have a bunch made up ready to use ?

[Dale53]

Lyman #2 will work just fine.

Dale53

[Iron Mike Golf]

Here's 2400 and H110 at higher charge weights. The alloy is softer, so I got leading that affected group size starting at around 40 rounds fired. I cleaned the bore before firing the last charge weight with each powder. I shot a fouling cylinder after cleaning. I also gave BAC a try with these.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_169734d817fa6b61ca.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=232)

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_169734d817fa6e6efd.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=233)

That 21.2 gr 2400 looks like a sweet spot for me. The top target has a called flyer at 3 o'clock and the hole in the center of the spot is 3 rounds. On the lower target, the two off the spot were the last 2 fired and may have been caused by the beginning of leading.

I got some monotype today and am alloying that with some range lead. Should end up with 93-3-4 and I plan on water dropping them.

[Mal Paso]

The alignment pins on my mold were tight from the beginning and I did not see the fine print on the bottle to lube them too.
At about 1500 boolits the mold started taking a few more taps on the handle to open the mold. A few hundred more and I was casting boolits with flanges. I had managed to walk the 2 Male alignment pins out of their bores and they were holding the mold apart. I used an old 1/4" brass air chuck on the pin shoulders and tapped them down till I was just getting solid lineup of the mold halves. I lube the pins now.
I cast another 1000 just to test.:smile: You still have to look hard to see the part line. This is the best mold I have ever used.
Only one negative. The forward land is a few thousandths too long to chamber in my 1997 Colt Anaconda. The reamer is on it's way. That gun is just Tight. 629 and Redhawk no problems.

[Onty]

...The forward land is a few thousandths too long to chamber in my 1997 Colt Anaconda. The reamer is on it's way. That gun is just Tight. 629 and Redhawk no problems.

I was always arguing with some shooters that ideal situation is when loaded round is centred in the chamber by boolit, not by case sitting on the bottom of the portion that is always larger, from thousands to over .010 as in some 45 revolvers.

[Mal Paso]

I was always arguing with some shooters that ideal situation is when loaded round is centred in the chamber by boolit, not by case sitting on the bottom of the portion that is always larger, from thousands to over .010 as in some 45 revolvers.

That was my thought so a .431 throat reamer is on it's way rather than touching the main chamber. The throats are currently smaller than the barrel bore. Many S&W 629s are the same way. Saami specs. are .4325 which makes me wonder if there is any reason for the small throats.

[jblee10]

After cleaning the mold and preheating on the top edge of my Lyman 61 pot I started casting bullets today. On the fifth cast I started getting nice full shiny bullets. I weighed and measure bullet from each of the four cavities. With my alloy the lightest weighed 263.2 grains and the heaviest weighed 264.6 grains. The diameters run from .423 to about .4245 and none of the bullets were more than .001 out of round. I consider that really good. And they just drop from the mold too. Think I might have found a new favorite mold. THANKS MIHEC!!!

[Heavy lead]

My new mould is casting beautiful and shooting better. I have the 6 cavity aluminum Miha put out some time ago, so have been shooting this one for a while.
I shot 50 rounds out of the new mould today even though they only we're casted a week ago, working with two different Super Blackhawks both with 5.5" barrels today at 25 yards I grabbed the one with the dragoon frame and set up a 50 yard target, I only had four rounds left and really concentrated over sandbags, what resulted was a 1 1/8" group cutting two figure 8 holes.
About as good as I get with open sights.
Load was 10 grains of Unique and a Federal 150 primer, couldn't be happier, if I get a chance, I'll post a picture.

[LAH]

Heavy Lead that's a good load & that's fine shoot'en

[Mal Paso]

I just reamed the throats on the Anaconda. With the MP 432256 sized .431+ and loaded the forward band enters the throat with just enough tension that it won't fall out without a tap, evenly on all 6 chambers. This is very cool as I have never had this level of boolit alignment in a revolver. Can't wait to see how it shoots.:Fire:

Thanks Brownells for exceptional service on the Manson Reamer, MP Molds and Dale53.:drinks:

[Mal Paso]

This Thread has gone all quiet, like a family dinner and the food is really good.

With this boolit in the 4" Anaconda I have a whole new level of accuracy, at least as good as the 6".

Yesterday I had a 6 shot 2 inch group offhand at 25y with the 6" 629 until I tried to make it a 12 shot group. [smilie=w:

[Dale53]

Mal Paso;
It is VERY important to "know when to quit"...:mrgreen:

Standing at 25 yards with a Mihec H&G #68 SWC bullet in my 625 JM Special (4"):

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/img095.jpg

At any rate, you have shown that a good revolver (now made much better by reaming the cylinder throats to the correct size) and an excellent shooter gives excellent results (a good bullet doesn't hurt a thing, either:drinks:).

Congratulations on great performance.

Dale53

[Wayne Dobbs]

Well Dale53, like they say, "even a blind hog finds an acorn once in a while"!

That is some very solid shooting and like all us old guys know by now, ya gotta know when to quit for the day.

What load are you using with your 625 and the H&G 68?

[Dale53]

Wayne;
I have two 625's - one is a 5" 625-6 Model of 1989 and the other is a 4" 625-8 Jerry Miculek Special. Both have Red Dot sights.

My "base" load is 4.0 grs of Bullseye behind the #68 H&G (Mihec clone). However, I find that powder type is not terribly important. I shoot in relatively large numbers (5000-7500 rounds per year) and use what ever quick burning powder is available at the best price. I just adjust the charge to simulate the velocity of 4.0 grs of Bullseye. Right now, I am going through the last of my Dupont PB with 5.1 grs of PB. Previously, I used 4.5 grs of 5066 (an obsolete powder that worked VERY well). When you run onto an Estate sale of powder that costs about $2.00 per pound, you had best be ready to "adjust"...:mrgreen:.

That same bullet at 900-1000 fps makes a nice "full" load, also. Unique has been my favorite for full loads in the past, including heavy bullets.

My personal pick when the PB is gone will be Titegroup (I have an unopened eight pound caddy waiting). It is cleaner than Bullseye and not position sensitive. The .45 Auto's small capacity is conducive to consistent results with most fast burning and medium burning powders. However, the larger cases (.45 Colt comes to mind) will benefit from the use of Titegroup for "normal" loads. It becomes an excellent choice for general use for target loads in a variety of calibers.

FWIW
Dale53