leading problem

[smith 29-2 44]

Today I shot some Berry's 240gr cast sw bullets on 8 grains of winchester 231. I have't chrono tested them yet but I would guess they are running about 900-1000 fps. All seemed well with the ammo, no pressure signs, until I had a glance at the muzzle and I saw lots of leading going on. This is the first time ever shooting cast bullets out of this revolver. jacketed bullet accuracy is good and cast accuracy is decent(im not the best handgun shooter). I have not slugged the bore so I went with .429, also they are the easiest to get a hold of around here. I am new to the forum and shooting cast bullets so I figured you guys could set me straight. I think for the second batch I will switch to Trail Boss powder to bring the velocity down to see if that helps.

 

[rockquarry]

Cast bullets have to fit to get good accuracy. Jacketed bullets don't require such a fit; they are far more forgiving. Leading is usually caused by an undersized bullet and/ or wrong alloy for the pressure/velocity level. A .429" bullet is generally too small unless you happen to find just the right pressure that causes bullet obturation (bump up, swell up, etc.) so that it fits the bore. If you're using a hard bullet that may not happen.

I've found a soft or maybe wheelweight alloy bullet of .431" (or sometimes even .432") works well for most .44 Special and some .44 Magnum loads. If everything is right, you'll get minimal to no leading. I don't use commercial cast bullets but there are probably plenty on this forum that do and can provide better advice regarding their use.

Some blame lubricants as a cause for leading. Commercial lubricants are too hard, but seldom a serious culprit. Done right, cast bullets are at least as accurate as the best shooting jacketed bullets, but discovering that is often a quest. Good luck-

 

[BLUEDOT37]

This is the first time ever shooting cast bullets out of this revolver.
jacketed bullet accuracy is good and cast accuracy is decent(im not the best handgun shooter).
I have not slugged the bore so I went with .429

The throats are likely the problem. They (of that era) run .432", larger than is typical & currently found on 29/629s; .429". Jacketed bullets, typically .429-.430", are not affected by the larger than normal throats.

Smaller cast bullets, that are not .432-.433", will have the hot gases bypass the bullet in the throats eroding/melting the lead base & grease. This leads to leading.

Either load the larger diameter cast bullets or go with plated or coated bullets as an alternative. I've been more satified with plated & they are very reasonably priced too.

.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Welcome to the forum...

The biggest reason for leading is poor bullet fit followed by the bullet running out of lube before the bullet leaves the barrel. If your leading is near the muzzle it could be one, the other or both. You choosing a bullet @.429" is probably giving you the problem. Most times cast bullets for the same cartridge are .001" to .002" wider that the jacketed bullets used for the same cartridge.

This is usually the guidelines:
In a 9mm - .355" jacketed bullets and .356" cast bullets.
In a 38/357 - .357" jacketed bullets and .358" cast bullets.
In a .44 - .429" jacketed bullets and .430/.431" cast bullets.

Of course there are always exceptions but generally that is a good guide. Try a .430/.431" bullet before you change anything else.

Other causes are bullets too hard for low velocities/pressures. Improper lube type or poor lube. There are others too but bullets that are too soft, while usually blamed first is very low in the list.

 

[arjay]

See if a bullet will drop through the cylinder.If it does,you need a larger bullet size

 

[rockquarry]

Yes, that's pretty good advice.

 

[smith 29-2 44]

I took the advice ad dropped a bullet in the cylinder and in went right through with no resistance. Now I know to get a bigger bullet. Are there any disadvantages if the bullet I choose is slightly big? As an example say my bore is .430 and I shoot a .431-.432 bullet will that cause issues? What powders do you guys prefer for lead bullets? I have some h110, w296, w231, and trail boss. I have the last 50 of my .429 bullets on 7 grains of trail boss. I am looking mainly for a target load with low recoil. I feel like H110 and W296 are a little slow for lead bullets and W231 is on the fast side. Trail boss seems to be a good option, but it is very dirty. If you guys know any cleaner powders for lead target loads i'm all ears. Also I forgot to specify it is a .44 magnum.

 

[BruceM]

I feel like H110 and W296 are a little slow for lead bullets and W231 is on the fast side.

Not hardly.

My favorite full power load consists of a R-P case, Winchester LPP, Lyman 429421 245 grain SWC cast with 3:2 alloy (WW to Lino) and 24.0 grains of H110. Extremely powerful, no leading in my M29's and M629's and 2 1/2" groups at 50 meters.

Bruce

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Are there any disadvantages if the bullet I choose is slightly big? As an example say my bore is .430 and I shoot a .431-.432 bullet will that cause issues?

If you guys know any cleaner powders for lead target loads i'm all ears.

Shouldn't be a problem with the larger size, but again, trying to get a lead bullet that works for you, without leading, can be a painful job sometimes which, frankly, I gave up on (I have a 29-2 also). I really suggest you go to plated bullets for your target loads in the 29-2. Really, you'll waste less time, be happier & $$ ahead in the end, if you do.

I'll suggest Unique as an alternative. At reasonable pressures it's fine but I suggest it because it's also bulkier & will take up more space reducing the chance of a double charge, which is very easy in a large case with small charges of fast fine powder. Definitely forget about H110/W296 for light target loads.

BruceM, he was asking about low recoil target loads.

.

 

[cowboy4evr]

Elmer Keiths " gallery " load using his bullet was 5.0 grs of Bullseye powder . The Lyman 429421 is an acceptable bullet for the " Keith " bullet . It has changed design in some areas but overall still a good substitute . It makes an excellent " low recoil " target load . That same load with any commercial cast 240 gr swc should work just fine for what you are looking for .

 

[rockquarry]

A .431" or .432" bullet is generally fine in a .430" bore. If you can find a bullet that will pass through the cylinder throats with slight resistance, that should be fine, even if the alloy mix (hardness) is less than perfect for the pressure your load creates.

My 29-2 and 29-3 work best with a .431" wheelweight alloy bullet, while my 24-3's .44 Special work with either a .431" or .432".

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I took the advice ad dropped a bullet in the cylinder and in went right through with no resistance. Now I know to get a bigger bullet. Are there any disadvantages if the bullet I choose is slightly big? As an example say my bore is .430 and I shoot a .431-.432 bullet will that cause issues? What powders do you guys prefer for lead bullets? I have some h110, w296, w231, and trail boss. I have the last 50 of my .429 bullets on 7 grains of trail boss. I am looking mainly for a target load with low recoil. I feel like H110 and W296 are a little slow for lead bullets and W231 is on the fast side. Trail boss seems to be a good option, but it is very dirty. If you guys know any cleaner powders for lead target loads i'm all ears. Also I forgot to specify it is a .44 magnum.

If you're looking to load target style loads with those lead bullets the W231 you already have will do a good job. I use W231/HP-38 and when I want more velocity I go to HS-6, both are good with lead bullets.

 

[pjames32]

I shoot primarily cast lead bullets in my pistols, size .001-.002 over my slugged barrel size as long as they fit the cylinder. I have minimal leading and do not use "hard cast" for anything less than a screaming magnum load.

 

[BruceM]

BruceM, he was asking about low recoil target loads.

I understand that but I was responding to the statement that "H110 and W296 is a little slow for lead bullets". They are not. As you said, they are, however, not suitable low velocity paper punchers. Lead bullets does not equate to low velocity IMO.

Bruce