Hey all - Thanks in advance. So I made my first ever 50 rounds over the weekend and had some issues. I have a brand new Lee Challenger Deluxe Kit, 4 die carbide set and 300 brand new Star-Line cases to go with my new Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter (slugged bore is .4295 ish and that slug takes a very little push to go thru the cylinders) that is topped with a 2-7 Burris (no rounds fired yet) - Primarily this is for deer hunting in Minnesota. So I decided the first thing was to load up some "paper target" loads - objective was 240gr boolits at a very mild 700-900 fps. So went to Cabelas to use some points (local) and got Unique, CCI primer and the only lead 240 gr bullets they had - 500ct Lazer-Cast SWC (Keith style) but they say .431 (and thats what the caliper says too)($72).
Pulled out 50 cases, they all measure short of typical lenght. Size them (figured it was good practice), debured the ID, primed them (Bench Auto Primer - worked nice), expanded them. I had to do this again as the first "standard" setting didn't have enought flare (frankly I wondered that if I have to flare that much all the time than my case life wouldn't be very good). Then filled them with 4 differant powder wheight charges (5.7, 6.2, 6.6 and 7gr for those that might ask). Insert the seating die and start - first couple not bad, have to use more force than I expected to push in a lead bullet. Then more force and start to see that the cases are noticable expanded brass around the boolit, but they fit in the cylinder. Then I start having cases buckle too (below the boolits). Out comes the Hornady cam type in press boolit puller and I can only remove 1 out of 12. Out of 50 I will be thowing 10 away. Cases ID is about .427. Concerned that this could create too high of internal pressure, before the bullet comes out of the case.
??? Should I scrap them all or do you think I can shoot them???
??? Root Cause thoughts ???
My guess is the Lazer-Casts are too big (and hard) for the new cases. Maybe if it was fired brass rather than new? I ordered a Lee .429 bullet sizer today as I own 450 and the sizer is only $18. Do I return the remaining bullets to Cabelas as a statement of disgust?
Note: After some more practice with both revolver and reloading - I'll working up a 300 gr WFN load to maybe 1100fps as my "hunting load" and be looking for some acceptable accuracy out to 100yds (expecting hunting limit more like 75yds). Maybe 265 or 280gr - don't need "hammers of Thor" for Whitetales, but something I can shoot well.