How fast without leading?

[superior]

How fast can I push the Lee 457-405-f without leading? I'm using 34.5 grains of h4198 for an estimated 1400fps in my 1895g. How much more powder and speed can I push this boolit to?:smile:

[Dave B]

You will give out before it does.

[superior]

You will give out before it does.

Without leading? (plain base boolit):coffeecom

[Tom308]

I got beat up shooting the 400 + grain boolits so, switched to the RD 460 rf. I push them at around 1900+fps with NO leading. I load to about the same speed with the plain based Lee 457 rf plain based boolit. I use LLA lube and don't have to do more than use a lite patch. The LLA seems to work out quite well for me. I push my 30 cals to around 2200+fps with no lead showing. I'm very pleased with the Lee Liquid Alox.

[Glen]

All depends on your lube. With a good lube you can push a big bore plain-base cast bullet pretty hard with no leading.

[GabbyM]

You didn't mention what rifle you are shooting this in. Micro grove may slow you down a bit but I'm not sure.
1,800 fps in the 38 to 45 caliber rifles with a BHN #12 alloy is doable. Not to many 45-70 rifles will shoot a 405 grain slug that fast without killing on both ends. Once you get up to the high end your twist rate and type of rifling will enter in. Dave B has it nailed. Just keep running the power up until you can't stand anymore. Then see if it's leading. If it is you just need a different lube or size bullet or load technique. The big bullets just don't slip the rifling like little pills will. If you look at the listed loads for a Ruger No. 1 you'll see you've not even reached the start load for a 405 grain plain based bullet.

I've loaded BHN #10 bullets for a fellows 38-55 Handy Rifle that he shoots to 1800 fps with one hole fifty yard groups and no leading. After he found out how fast he could shoot it we hardened the alloy to a #12 just so the slug wouldn't turn into a washer after hitting a deer.

[superior]

Wow! Thanks, guys..I guess Dave B does have it nailed. I did mention I was shooting the 1895g. I'ts a new one with Ballard rifling. I make my own lube from Lithium axel grease/paraffin @ 50/50. With that same lube, I push some of my 303Brits to 2200fps with a gas check. It seems to be working great in the 45/70 and I'm not getting any smoke out of the muzzle.( it DOES smoke in the Enfields). So, ...Tonight, I'm gonna increase my charge to 40 grains and see what happens. Thanks again.

[Bullshop]

With good lube and a good fit its not about leading its about accuracy.
Accuracy will deteriorate before leading occurs.
This will be true whether using a PB or GC boolit.
BIC/BS