Hard cast bullets in revolvers

[JohnFM]

This is my first post here, but this seems like the correct spot for my question.

I never developed an interest in casting my own bullets and never really shot many.
However, I've been shooting a lot of commercially cast in .357.
With no special problems.
Then a Ruger Blackhawk chambered for .30 Carbine followed me home.

I ordered some commercial cast 115 grn bullets and it hasn't been fun getting things right.
The barrel is 7 1/2 inch and I've been using 11 grains of 2400.
A moderate load, but I don't have a chrono so I don't know just what I'm getting out of the muzzle.
Biggest problem now is really sticky cases in the cylinder.
The cases are all badly coated with powder fouling after firing.
These bullets are 18 hardness and I'm wondering if I need to try and find a softer cast.
Or go to a hotter load?

TIA for any suggestions.

[Larry Gibson]

Having some experience with a Ruger 30 Carbine I'd suggest the problem is one of not enough psi to expand the fairly thick .30 Carbine case with that load. With that cast bullet, especially if it is a PB'd one, I would suggest 5 - 6 gr of Unique. The Ruger I used really liked 5.5 gr under the 311008 I was using. 2400 did not work out well for me, even under a GC'd 311316 (identical to 311008 except for the GC) with up to 1300 gr 2400.

Probably some of the newer powders in the 2400 - Lil'gun burning range might work better these days but Unique worked so well I quit testing and went shooting.

Larry Gibson

[btroj]

I get sticky extraction with military cases but not with commercial cases. Not sure why, I just know that I don't use military brass in my Ruger anymore.
That is one flat shooting, accurate revolver. Loud as all get out too!

[JohnFM]

Thanks much for that.
I've about used up my supply of 2400 and have a good supply of Unique.
I'd actually thought about loading up some rounds with that to see if there was a change.

[sqlbullet]

...with up to 1300 gr 2400.

Larry Gibson

Wow....1300 grains of powder. Talk about your big magnum:kidding:

[garym1a2]

I heard super blackhawks where rather strong!

Wow....1300 grains of powder. Talk about your big magnum:kidding:

[44man]

Wow....1300 grains of powder. Talk about your big magnum:kidding:
Talk about giving out overloads! [smilie=l: Now Larry, you know we will have fun with that?
But I would like to welcome John, he is in the right place.
I have little experience with the .30 Carbine in the Ruger but my friend has one. From what I have seen, it is not an easy caliber to make accurate in the revolver.
Many here have them but I have to caution you that to get 1300 gr in, you need to leave the primer out! :takinWiz::takinWiz:

[JohnFM]

:mrgreen: Yeah, I think you'd have to cone up with something to fit the powder in :mrgreen:
Probably take a little tamping too.

Anyway, thanks guys for the welcome and the tip about Unique powder.
I'm remounting my press today on a sheet of half inch aluminum, but as soon as I get things back together I'm going to start working on some loads with it.

[Moonie]

Bah, just a little compressed...

Welcome to the madness JohnFM

[paul edward]

Sticky and dirty cases likely result from not enough pressure to expand the case against the chamber walls and seal against gas leakage. Three suggestions:

1. Use a faster powder like Unique.
2. Anneal your cases.
3. Load to a higher pressure level.

[williamwaco]

Having some experience with a Ruger 30 Carbine I'd suggest the problem is one of not enough psi to expand the fairly thick .30 Carbine case with that load. With that cast bullet, especially if it is a PB'd one, I would suggest 5 - 6 gr of Unique. The Ruger I used really liked 5.5 gr under the 311008 I was using. 2400 did not work out well for me, even under a GC'd 311316 (identical to 311008 except for the GC) with up to 1300 gr 2400.

Probably some of the newer powders in the 2400 - Lil'gun burning range might work better these days but Unique worked so well I quit testing and went shooting.

Larry Gibson



Ditto:

By the way, That was the single best varmint handgun I ever owned. I was out of my mind to sell it.

[Larry Gibson]

Wow....1300 grains of powder. Talk about your big magnum:kidding:

Was that a screw up or what:veryconfu

Thanks for catching it guys:drinks:

Larry Gibson

[JohnFM]

I just shot some with Unique using 5.9 grains.
The cases are a lot cleaner, with fouling down to about bullet seating depth.
So, progress is made.
Think I'll work up from 5.5 grains again and do a little tighter crimp.
Course my measure just doesn't like to meter Unique right on a tenth grain.

[Cherokee]

John - Welcome. If you have any Herco, give that a try as well. I had a great load with 8.0 gr using Lyman 311419GC that shot x-ring groups @ 25 yd and clocked at 1545 fps. This was in an OM Ruger. May have been a little too hot, cases were a little sticky. Start lower and work up to you gun's preference. Since my Ruger 30C's are usually used for fun now, I use 3-4 gr WST with a 95 gr SWC which gives me 2-2.5" 25 yd groups and hits right well out to 75 yd. No extraction problems with this one. My OM Rugers like a case length of 1.281" max

[cbrick]

Welcome to CastBoolits JohnFM,

I've been getting great accuracy in my Ruger 30 Carbine with the Lyman 311410 PB HP at 130 gr, 8.5 Gr SR 4759 & standard primer. Mild load and much quieter than a normal 30 Carbine load at 860 fps and with the HP it is devastating on ground squirrels, just kinda blows'em up.

I have a group buy in the process of getting going for this bullet in a Miha mold. I know the OP said he doesn't cast but this is a great bullet in this gun/caliber. Anyone else here interested should check out the "interested in" thread.

Miha 311410 group buy discussion (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=129160)

Rick