Blackcat
05-31-2012, 08:14 PM
Hello !
This is my first post here.
I am stuck in the middle of a reloading crisis and could use some help or perhaps a small miracle.
I hope this isnt too wordy!
First the details:
I have a Taurus Raging bull .454 and bullets cost more than I can afford and still sleep at night.
Solution: I decided to get into reloading to keep it cost effective and tailor my ammunition to suit my gun.
Problem: I live in Canada... specifically the middle of nowhere Canada.
I see there is a post about importing from the USA. I could rant about this at the drop of a hat. I have no end of headaches because it seems everything I need has to cross the border. There are very few gun/reloading suppliers anywhere near me and ive called them all. They all tell me the same thing 'There is a shortage of bullets, because we just cant get them across the border' best estimate 7 months or more at insane prices when they do arrive.
Most of the suppliers give me a hard time saying they just dont want to go through the trouble of bringing in stuff they dont already have.
I got into this a few years ago and since have done countless hours or research and baught enough equipment and supplies now that I cant back out of it.
So it comes down to bullets or bust at this point.
Up till now I have been trying to get things like Hornady XTP HP jacketed stuff because thats what most have been recommending too me.
It looks like I can go with cast boolits for a fraction of the cost THIS is what I am looking for.
My goal is to make one or two boolit recipes that are the best balance for my gun and needs.
They have to be accurate.
Consitent, I want approximately the same results for all my rounds in a specific load.
Versatile, I would like as few boolit types as possible 2-3 max to cover the full range of .454 pressures from low pressure like .45LC cowboy loads in the 250 gr range up to +power this is insane .454 loads with a 300+ gr boolit.
Fairly inexpensive and easy to get components for.
Finally they also have to be safe for my gun.
Essentially I am looking for the perfect boolit or boolits for my gun in low, mid and high pressure.
The components I have so far include:
-1000 rounds Starline .454 brass
- Primers CCI 400 small rifle, Winchester small rifle and Winchester Mag rifle.
- Powders H110 x2 pounds, Unique x2pounds and Titegroup x2pounds.
Now whats real and what isnt ?
I am told that I shouldnt use cast boolits because they destroy the gun with leading. I have been using hornady non jacketed cowboy rounds exclusively till now with no leading issues. And its my understanding that Hard cast gas check boolits cause minimal leading and what leading there is can be managed with proper cleaning.
So am I correct or not ?
Next Im told that soft boolits damage the force cone.
Ok im pretty sure this is true however I dont believe most hard cast boolits are THAT soft, some perhaps but im sure there are those that are safe.
Again correct or not ?
So if I can use cast boolits in my gun with no ill effects then my next question and one that brings me to this forum:
Where do I get these boolits ?
Preferably in Canada but USA is ok so long as its still cost effective and low hassle for shipping.
Again im looking for quality boolits that are accurate and consistent.
With the components I have so far and my reloading goals what are your boolit recommendations and recipes including primers powders and loads ?
Where can I find data on cast boolit shapes/designs and how they effect ballistics like range, velocity, drop, penetration (grizzly size critters) and so on ?
Some brands I was considering are: Cast performance if they deliver to Canada and one I just found out here called Wolf bullets but I cant find many reviews about them. Any suggestions here ?
Im really itching to get loading so I can get back to the range, so the sooner I can nail down some boolits the better.
Im sure I will have many more questions but atm I cant seem to remember any of them.
BTW im a reloading virgin and I know more about jacketed bullets than cast boolits so any other tips and advise I may overlook would be greatly appreciated thanks !
This is my first post here.
I am stuck in the middle of a reloading crisis and could use some help or perhaps a small miracle.
I hope this isnt too wordy!
First the details:
I have a Taurus Raging bull .454 and bullets cost more than I can afford and still sleep at night.
Solution: I decided to get into reloading to keep it cost effective and tailor my ammunition to suit my gun.
Problem: I live in Canada... specifically the middle of nowhere Canada.
I see there is a post about importing from the USA. I could rant about this at the drop of a hat. I have no end of headaches because it seems everything I need has to cross the border. There are very few gun/reloading suppliers anywhere near me and ive called them all. They all tell me the same thing 'There is a shortage of bullets, because we just cant get them across the border' best estimate 7 months or more at insane prices when they do arrive.
Most of the suppliers give me a hard time saying they just dont want to go through the trouble of bringing in stuff they dont already have.
I got into this a few years ago and since have done countless hours or research and baught enough equipment and supplies now that I cant back out of it.
So it comes down to bullets or bust at this point.
Up till now I have been trying to get things like Hornady XTP HP jacketed stuff because thats what most have been recommending too me.
It looks like I can go with cast boolits for a fraction of the cost THIS is what I am looking for.
My goal is to make one or two boolit recipes that are the best balance for my gun and needs.
They have to be accurate.
Consitent, I want approximately the same results for all my rounds in a specific load.
Versatile, I would like as few boolit types as possible 2-3 max to cover the full range of .454 pressures from low pressure like .45LC cowboy loads in the 250 gr range up to +power this is insane .454 loads with a 300+ gr boolit.
Fairly inexpensive and easy to get components for.
Finally they also have to be safe for my gun.
Essentially I am looking for the perfect boolit or boolits for my gun in low, mid and high pressure.
The components I have so far include:
-1000 rounds Starline .454 brass
- Primers CCI 400 small rifle, Winchester small rifle and Winchester Mag rifle.
- Powders H110 x2 pounds, Unique x2pounds and Titegroup x2pounds.
Now whats real and what isnt ?
I am told that I shouldnt use cast boolits because they destroy the gun with leading. I have been using hornady non jacketed cowboy rounds exclusively till now with no leading issues. And its my understanding that Hard cast gas check boolits cause minimal leading and what leading there is can be managed with proper cleaning.
So am I correct or not ?
Next Im told that soft boolits damage the force cone.
Ok im pretty sure this is true however I dont believe most hard cast boolits are THAT soft, some perhaps but im sure there are those that are safe.
Again correct or not ?
So if I can use cast boolits in my gun with no ill effects then my next question and one that brings me to this forum:
Where do I get these boolits ?
Preferably in Canada but USA is ok so long as its still cost effective and low hassle for shipping.
Again im looking for quality boolits that are accurate and consistent.
With the components I have so far and my reloading goals what are your boolit recommendations and recipes including primers powders and loads ?
Where can I find data on cast boolit shapes/designs and how they effect ballistics like range, velocity, drop, penetration (grizzly size critters) and so on ?
Some brands I was considering are: Cast performance if they deliver to Canada and one I just found out here called Wolf bullets but I cant find many reviews about them. Any suggestions here ?
Im really itching to get loading so I can get back to the range, so the sooner I can nail down some boolits the better.
Im sure I will have many more questions but atm I cant seem to remember any of them.
BTW im a reloading virgin and I know more about jacketed bullets than cast boolits so any other tips and advise I may overlook would be greatly appreciated thanks !