pipehand
09-03-2007, 01:45 PM
I've been shooting several different 45 Colts with the 45-270 RCBS bullet. I've been using maily 20 grains of 4227 in Starline brass which clocks around 925 from my Mountain Gun. This load produces little to no leading.
I've got the issue of Handloader that lists loads using this bullet to three different pressure levels. The 4227 load is supposed to operate in the 20kpsi range. A load of 7.5 grains of Hodgdon's Titegroup is supposed to deliver the same velocity, but at two thirds the pressure, for roughly 14kpsi. Sounds like a no brainer-- lower powder cost, easier on the gun, use same powder in 45acp...
What's not to like? Well, the only time I've seen worse leading was when I was new to this CB thing, and heat treated some .452 diameter 230 grain 45acp bullets, and loaded them up in an early Blackhawk with .455-.456" cylinder throats. The mountain gun doesn't have that problem. In fact, I had to open up the cylinder throats, so a .4515" cb had to be pushed through. That's the size my bullets come out of the Star- I asked for a .4525" die, but I believe they alow for springback using Taracorp alloy. My raw material is half wheelweights and half range scrap which seems relatively soft and doesn't have much springback after going through the sizer die.
Lube is a concoction you could call a modified Felix formula- made with ATF and olive oil, with all sorts of odds and ends of 50/50, Lithi-Bee, LBT melted into the mix. Its pretty stiff, but didn't need the sizer to be heated during the 100 degree days we had earlier this month.
What's puzzling me most, is that Titegroup, being a faster powder would obturate the bullet sooner/better than the 4227 and be less likely to lead.
Has anyone else had a similar experience with this powder/cartridge combo?
I know there are a lot of CAS/SASS guys out there that shoot the harder commercial cast bullets with this powder and at lower charges.
Any suggestions? I'm thinking: cast softer, size bigger, use a bit more of the same powder. I'm trying to come up with an economical and effectice load for when (not holding my breath) the 45-283 group buy mould arrives.
I've got the issue of Handloader that lists loads using this bullet to three different pressure levels. The 4227 load is supposed to operate in the 20kpsi range. A load of 7.5 grains of Hodgdon's Titegroup is supposed to deliver the same velocity, but at two thirds the pressure, for roughly 14kpsi. Sounds like a no brainer-- lower powder cost, easier on the gun, use same powder in 45acp...
What's not to like? Well, the only time I've seen worse leading was when I was new to this CB thing, and heat treated some .452 diameter 230 grain 45acp bullets, and loaded them up in an early Blackhawk with .455-.456" cylinder throats. The mountain gun doesn't have that problem. In fact, I had to open up the cylinder throats, so a .4515" cb had to be pushed through. That's the size my bullets come out of the Star- I asked for a .4525" die, but I believe they alow for springback using Taracorp alloy. My raw material is half wheelweights and half range scrap which seems relatively soft and doesn't have much springback after going through the sizer die.
Lube is a concoction you could call a modified Felix formula- made with ATF and olive oil, with all sorts of odds and ends of 50/50, Lithi-Bee, LBT melted into the mix. Its pretty stiff, but didn't need the sizer to be heated during the 100 degree days we had earlier this month.
What's puzzling me most, is that Titegroup, being a faster powder would obturate the bullet sooner/better than the 4227 and be less likely to lead.
Has anyone else had a similar experience with this powder/cartridge combo?
I know there are a lot of CAS/SASS guys out there that shoot the harder commercial cast bullets with this powder and at lower charges.
Any suggestions? I'm thinking: cast softer, size bigger, use a bit more of the same powder. I'm trying to come up with an economical and effectice load for when (not holding my breath) the 45-283 group buy mould arrives.