can .429 cast bullets be increased to .432

[Bull Nutria]

I am a rookie and this is my dumb question. I have hundreds of .429 cast pistol bullets. i need .432 bullets to shoot in my 44mag handi rifle. Is this practical to do without melting them down and recasting?

what are some commercial sources of .432-- 240g to 270 g gas checked cast bullets?

Bull

[Nobade]

You can either swage them or paper patch them. I'd go with paper patching, don't need much of anything as far as tools. Works great in a Handi Rifle's chamber.

[Bull Nutria]

sounds like a plan do you have a recipe for making a paper patch. my bullets are already sized to .429??? so you wrap paper around the bullet to increase diameter that grabs the rifling better = better accuracy????

Bull

[JSnover]

You could bump them, too. I've never done it but it sounds pretty simple. Search for "bump die." Basically squashing the boolit in a controlled manner to get it to swell up a little

[uscra112]

That's only .003" increase. There ain't any paper thin enough to patch 'em. Unless you can size 'em down to about .420".

But "bumping" is entirely feasible. The lube grooves MUST be completely filled with lube, or the boolit will simply shorten itself at the lube grooves. A Lee pushthrough sizer might provide the die, if there's one that's .432" A top punch that accurately fits the boolit ogive, and a heavy steel plate, and a 2 pound hammer might just get you started. That's how they did it in the 1800s. Put the lubed boolit in the die, base first. Set the upside down die on the steel plate, so the base of the boolit is against the plate. Insert the top punch and whack it once. See what you get. You might have to whack harder or more times if the boolit is particularly hard. Don't try to use a Lyman/RCBS lubesizer die - the die must be solid all the way 'round the boolit.

I've "bumped" .35 caliber boolits in a toggle press, using a homebrewed die consisting of an old .30-06 seater with a bushing pressed into it and then bored/honed to size. Making the top punch was the hardest part. You'd need a lathe to do what I did. Today I'd just lap a mold bigger, but back then I wasn't into casting yet.

[williamwaco]

Bull,

Rule no 1: If it works, use it!
Rule no 2: You will never know until you try it.

Have you slugged your rifle? Or are have you just "heard" it is .432?

I could find only one referrence to slugging the .44 Handi Rifle and that one slugged .430;

Try your .429 bullets before you melt them down or spend a bunch of money to acquire .432 bullets.

The worst thing that could happen is that you might have to clean out some leading.

If the .429 bullets just don't shoot, Most .44 molds will drop bullets around .430 to .431

I have two Lee Molds, both drop bullets at .430 +


Rule no. 3: the simplest solution is the best solution.

You can get .432 cast bullets here:

http://www.montanabulletworks.com/44_Mag_U99O.html

but you are going to vapor-lock when you see the prices.

[leadman]

.432" sould seem to be a little large for a Handi, but anything is possible. Did you slug the bore?

If you do actually need some larger boolits send me a PM. I am leaving Wed for an elk hunt so if I don't get back to you I will after I get back in a week.

[wgr]

.432" sould seem to be a little large for a Handi, but anything is possible. Did you slug the bore?

If you do actually need some larger boolits send me a PM. I am leaving Wed for an elk hunt so if I don't get back to you I will after I get back in a week.

the older handies in 44mag. had over size bores . guys use cast boolets .some use cast boolets as much as .433/434

[fecmech]

I slugged a Handi for a fellow at our club last summer, it was .432.

[leadman]

I just sold my Shikari in 44 mag that had a .430" bore. I had it rechambered to 445 SuperMag.
This gun was from the early 70's.

[Nobade]

The Ranch Dog 265gr. mould casts at .433" if you wanted to make new ones, and to reply to the post about paper being too thin, you patch the .430" ones and then run them through a .433 sizer. I'll squish the bullet down some but the whole thing will come out at .433" I have been doing this for a bunch of undersize 45 cal. bullets I have to allow them to shoot in my 45 acp single shot rifle. Bullets are .449" to start, I patch them to .455" and size to .452". Works great and they shoot fine.

[Olevern]

You could always melt them down and recast.

[Reload3006]

personally I would load up ten or twenty shoot them and see. if they leaded melt them down and try something else. If they dont load em all up and have a blast.

[DHB]

First Did you slug the bore? I know that has been asked many times but I've never seen an answer. Second You can custom order a sizing die from Lee in the size you want. All you have to do is contact 10ring.com or Lee directly. The cost will be the same at both places.
Then bump them up as uscra112 post #5 said. I had the same problem with a 32 H&R rifle on a #2 Remington Roller and after looking for a bump die I just ordered over size "naked" (not lubed) boolits from Montana Bullet Works, post #6. With a little work (knew a starting load) adjusting, sizing. etc. I got a 5 round group under 1 inch at 50 yards.

[Reload3006]

there is another option if your really have to have larger boolits. You can knurl them effectively increasing the OD.

[Lead pot]

What's wrong with a .429 bullet in the .44 mag rifle??
But you got the right answer, swage them .
Or get a .432 mould made.

[DHB]

Reload3006,
How do you knurl a boolit?
Thanks
Dennis

[singleshot]

I'd suggest beagling your mold if you indeed need a larger cast boolit...with some comet or (my preference) fire lapping compound, this is a cheap and easy process.

[mroliver77]

I have an undersize Winchester made mould for 38-55. It still has bluing in the cavities and I hate to lap it out. I worked up a load using grits as filler. Works great! Good accuracy and no leading!
Jay