Lee PrecisionLoad DataTitan ReloadingWideners
Inline FabricationMidSouth Shooters SupplyReloading EverythingRepackbox
RotoMetals2
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 36

Thread: 240gr Elmer Keith hardcast loads

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    bedford, pa.
    Posts
    102

    240gr Elmer Keith hardcast loads

    hi guy`s,
    need a bit knowledge from you. i have couple of 44mag revolvers (anaconda, 629...both 6in ).
    i always loaded nothing but 240gr jhp`s with these revolvers. i recently purchased a s&w model 69 (4.5in bbl)
    and some missouri bullets 240gr hard cast (brinell of 18). i`m looking to use these hard cast as practice but not
    soft plinking loads. i want to obtain a load that is close as i can to the recoil of full magnum load.

    the pistol powders i have on hand are as follows:
    titegroup
    cfe pistol
    autocomp
    win 231
    imr 4227
    win 296
    h110.

    wish i had some 2400 but its hard to find. you guys have any suggestions on powder & charge wt.
    that can use from what i have on hand to give me a good practice rd that is close enough so
    there is not too much difference in recoil? like i said as close as i can get using the lead. (no gas checks on these )

    thank you for your help!

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Central Texas
    Posts
    1,910
    296 or H110 will give you factory level loads.

  3. #3
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    bedford, pa.
    Posts
    102
    will i have too much leading using a hot load w/ this hard cast?

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    182
    A lot depends on what diameter they are 429? 430? 431? Hopefully at least 430 .I would check some

  5. #5
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    bedford, pa.
    Posts
    102
    they are .430

  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    182
    Depending on throat size you should be ok . I shoot .430 from my super Blackhawk at mag speed no problem

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    182
    I just noticed your from PA also any luck deer hunting this year?

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    bedford, pa.
    Posts
    102
    dont hunt any longer. have not in nearly 30yrs. health conds. but from what i have heard so far it has not been good so far
    at least in my neck of the woods.

  9. #9
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    182
    been a good year from marienville to Pittsburgh all deer processing shops were full by late first Saturday. I saw 14 deer 2 small bucks first day. Best I seen in years.good luck with your swc 240 gr bullets. Let us know how it goes.Bob

  10. #10
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    bedford, pa.
    Posts
    102
    sure will. thnx

  11. #11
    Moderator Emeritus


    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    SW Montana
    Posts
    12,452
    I believe you will have to push them fairly hard with that hard of a bullet. I am not sure I would want to shoot that out of a model 69. I shoot mine with medium target loads and pack heavier loads with much softer bullets.
    If you can't push them fast enough to obdurate they will lead up your bbl.
    [The Montana Gianni] Front sight and squeeze

  12. #12
    Moderator Emeritus


    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    SW Montana
    Posts
    12,452
    Elmer considered his "hard cast" loads to be 1 part tin out of 16 parts lead. His soft was 1 in 10. Both are softer than modern (2000) wheel weights, about 10 bhn.
    [The Montana Gianni] Front sight and squeeze

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    bedford, pa.
    Posts
    102
    thank you for the info...i will load a few and see if i lead the bbl too much. wont to too hard to determine.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Middle of the Mitten
    Posts
    1,336
    I have been using a Wax Wad, gas check style, with commercial hard cast in my SBH... makes a huge difference..
    Keep posting with your results!!
    Inquiring minds want to know!!!

  15. #15
    Boolit Master slughammer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    SE PA
    Posts
    786
    I would use a midrange load of W231.

    Typically commercial cast has a hard lube for shipping. If you have a problem with leading you could try adding a coat of tumble lube with Lee Liquid Alox.

    Sent from my SM-G781U using Tapatalk
    Happiness is a couple of 38's and a bucket of ammo.

  16. #16
    Boolit Grand Master


    Larry Gibson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Lake Havasu City, Arizona
    Posts
    21,306
    Quote Originally Posted by lx2008 View Post
    will i have too much leading using a hot load w/ this hard cast?
    That is mostly dependent on the lube used. If they have a hard wax lube then I wouldn't be surprised if they leaded. I always give such commercial cast bullets a light coat of LLA and let dry thoroughly before loading. That usually mitigates the leading.

    23 - 24 gr of the 4227 or the H110/296 will get you top end magnum loads. Use a WLR or magnum primer with the H110/296 along with a heavy crimp.
    Larry Gibson

    “Deficient observation is merely a form of ignorance and responsible for the many morbid notions and foolish ideas prevailing.”
    ― Nikola Tesla

  17. #17
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    bedford, pa.
    Posts
    102
    thanks larry,
    i have some Imr 4227. btw, i ran out of LP Mag primers a while ago. i loaded up 23grs of 296 under 240gr nosler jhp`s recently using only LP
    and i didnt notice much difference from using mag primers. i also didnt get any un-burned powder either. i did always use mag primers using h110 & 296
    but when you cant find any or internet shops or local shops are selling for $100+ for a brick you have to do what you have to.

  18. #18
    Boolit Grand Master


    Larry Gibson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Lake Havasu City, Arizona
    Posts
    21,306
    The Magnum primers will ensure ignition in colder weather.
    Larry Gibson

    “Deficient observation is merely a form of ignorance and responsible for the many morbid notions and foolish ideas prevailing.”
    ― Nikola Tesla

  19. #19
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    bedford, pa.
    Posts
    102
    yes you are correct. thanks!

  20. #20
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    bedford, pa.
    Posts
    102
    i just found some LP mag primers today online, free haz & free ship

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check