Lee 240 SWC TL accuracy

[Judan_454]

Ive been trying to get a good accurate cast 44 mag bullet for hunting. I started out with 19.0 grs of 2400 and worked up to 22.0 grs. From 19 grs to 20 grs the accuracy was good.But when I started to move up to 20.5 though 22 grs. the groups really opened up. I did not size these bullets the dia. is .4305 as cast. The alloy is staight quenched WW's. Just wondering if a harder alloy or size them down to .429. They were shot out of 71/2 inch Ruger SuperRedhawk at a distance of 25yds. I did not slug the barrel I guess that might be the next step to finding the right size diameter bullet.
Danhttp://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_120114e711e4403397.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=2123)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_120114e711e5d83fcd.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=2124)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_120114e711e7fcf24f.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=2125)

[curator]

I doubt sizing will help the bullets be more accurate at higher velocity. Every Ruger SBH I have ever handled needed .431+ diameter boolits to shoot accurately. Trying to push the Lee 240TL bullet past about 1200 fps is the problem. So far your groups are outstanding. Unless you are hunting buffalo I would go with an accurate load over a more powerful one. BTW, the Lee 240TL will go completely through a feral hog if driven past 900fps and cast of water-drop-quenched wheel weight alloy. A gas-checked grease-groove boolit is what you need for higher velocities and good accuracy. I shoot the LBT 432/280 LFN at 1400 from my SBHs with near rifle like accuracy. The Lee 430/300RF is also a real thumper if you don't mind recoil.

[Maven]

What curator said! My 240gr. Lee TL-SWC mold also cast too small for my Ruger SBH, but would group about as well as yours if I didn't push it beyond 1,000 - 1,100fps.

[Frank]

Maven:

My 240gr. Lee TL-SWC mold also cast too small for my Ruger SBH, but would group about as well as yours if I didn't push it beyond 1,000 - 1,100fps.
I think curator was implying by design the Lee TL-SWC isn't pushed beyond 1,200 fps. What's the problem with the LeeTL-SWC? Certainly a PB boolit can be accurate out of a revolver at 1600 fps. Is it the SWC design, or the TL grooves? :confused:

[Wally]

I have placed a Gas Check on the Lee .44 cal SWC-TL and it shoots just fine in my 94 Carbine at 1,600 FPS.

[evan price]

Judan, I have the same 7.5" Ruger SRH and I cast the Lee TL-240-SWC using recycled range lead with a BHN about 10 as cast/unsized, tumble lubed in ALOX, loaded over 8.0 grains Alliant PROMO powder, OAL 1.585" approx. & roll crimped in the last TL groove.

This combo is good for 1050 fps and shoots as nice as what you are showing there at 25 yards.

It actually left the bore CLEANER after shooting a dozen of these than it had been before I started shooting, from the commercial cast slugs I had used before.

[Judan_454]

For target shooting I usally use 10 grains of Unique but I was trying to work up a hunting load for deer.

[44man]

First, dump the TL and use REAL boolit lube. The TL design works fine with good lube.
However, you are close to the limit of a semi wad cutter for accuracy.
2400 will peak fast so your lighter loads are what you need, stop looking for more velocity, you do not need it for deer.
Someone mentioned .431" to .432" and that is correct, do NOT size to .429". Most Rugers hover around .430" groove to groove.
I would move towards 300 to 320 gr boolits of LBT or Lee RNFP designs, switch to 296 and a standard LP primer.
The SRH is fully capable of 1/2" at 50 yards.
The RD 265 gr is also a super shooter.

[kelbro]

I couldn't get that boolit to shoot at higher velocities as well as other styles but before I dump it, I want to see if it works as an economical 44 special bullet.

[williamwaco]

I have the .44 cal 240 gr TL bullet and it shoots fine at 1200fps. I have not tried it beyond that, and probably will not due to 70 year old wrists.

BUT there is nothing inherently wrong with the Lee TL design. I regularly shoot the Lee 358-158-SWC TL at well over 1400 from my Thompson contender and over 1600 from my Winchester 92. There is not problem with either accuracy or leading using LLA. The TC produces 1.5" groups at 50 yards. ( 8x scope)

There is also nothing wrong with the accuracy of a Keith type SWC. 40 years ago I loaded the 429421 over XX grains of 2400. ( No gas check ) On a calm day, that load out of a 6" or longer barrel would smack a five gallon bucket 10 out of 12 shots at 500 yards. After checking a couple of loading manuals, I am not going to quote the exact load except to say it was Elmer Keith's favorite load and was reputed at the time to produce 1500fps from a 6 1/2 inch S&W. It was very hot but did not produce extraction problems or swollen cases.

[MtGun44]

Some have found issues with the TL when pushed hard. This may be what is happening in
your case. Try a conventional lube design, Keith or LBT, fitted to the throats with a good lube
like NRA 50-50 or LBT soft blue. These work fine for me in multiple .44 mags at full velocities.

Bill

[youngda9]

"hunting accuracy" for deer is hitting a paper plate at your max hunting distance. I'd say you're fine if 50yds is the distance you can shoot(dense woods). Practice at your max hunting distance to make sure you are accurate enough to hit the vitals and you're good to go.