Need ammo help bad

[bigfreakinrevolver]

I have a highway patrolman that is converted to 44 Bain and David and have 125 gr bullets. I can't find any recipe to reload it with unique or blue dot with that bullet date. Please help!

 

[ACP230]

Gun World wrote quite a bit about that cartridge back when it was
developed. Maybe some of the old articles are available on line.

I think it may actually be called, "Bain & Davis."

HTH.

 

[SteveFi]

the Lee book has some data for that cartridge but it only lists H110 & H4227 powders

 

[2hawk]

44 Bain and DaviS

You'll get more hits with the right name

I didn't see anything for Unique or Blue Dot, but with some diligent research you may turn something up. I did find these pretty quick:

http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/reloading-manual-data/357-44 Bain & Davis.pdf

357/44 Bain & Davis

Good Luck!

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

Found a recipe and this is one from the first batch.

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

Stupid auto spell hahaha

 

[papajohn428]

Oh sure..............blame the computer.

How fast are you gonna push that lead bullet?

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

Est about 1500- 1600 fps ill let you know the results!

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

It's a stated as a light load.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Unless those bullets are rea-a-a-a-ally hard, I forsee leading in your future.

ECS

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

That's kinda what I'm expecting to be honest but for being our first batch of test bullets made to spec from several 70's magazines I think it will be ok.

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

Then fmj, once some come available around my area.

 

[Skeptic 9c]

Gas check??
Geoff
Who was fond of the .38/45 and actually fired someone elses, then I grew up.

 

[2hawk]

Found a recipe and this is one from the first batch.

Pretty cool. Crimp looks a little weak, are you using a roll crimp on those?

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

Well took them out and fired a couple. Cylinder locked up due to cases being pushed backwards. Looked into the barrel and saw lots of leading after three rounds. So I'm going to switch to hornady 110gr fmj bullets and see how those handle. However all three rounds went where I pointed lol. I think the pressure was causing the leading which caused the back pressure pushing the casing back and yessir a roll crimp. Any thoughts?

 

[cfplinker]

What do your bullets measure and what did the barrel slug out at?

 

[BigBill]

I had leading from light loads using cast bullets in my 38cal & 44cal. But when I purchased the broadcast bullets with the only coasting the leading stopped. Now I purchased the moly spray so o can spray and tumble the broadcast bullets.

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

I'm starting to think the bullets where good didn't see any splatter on the target. Shot at ten feet. Maybe just over pressurized the round.

 

[blueknight7]

The powder you are using is way too fast for that launching platform. 2400 is about as fast as you can go, and get away with it. Way too much room in that case for unique, or bluedot. H-110/Win.296, H-4227, even some of the fast rifle powders work. You want a full case.

Oh, another thing. NO LEAD. You want a case setback, you will get it running lead bullets. Jacketed only. Lead is usually .001, to 002. sizes larger than the diameter of the bore. You are pouring tons of pressure into that little bitty .357 bore, with a .44 mag. boiler room. The back of the bullet turns to liquid, and successfully washes the forcing cone, and the first 2 inches of your barrel, with lead. Now, you have reduced your bore size from .357, to .355. Guess what, unless you are using 9 mm bullets, you have a real live pressure problem. So, case setback.

If, you are so inclined to run some semblance of lead. Get you a bunch of pewter and a .41 magnum mold of the heaviest bullet weight you can get. Then, find a .357 diameter bullet swedge. A 240 gr. .410 bullet cast out of pewter will grain out at about 130 grs. That sucker is rock hard. Only problem is, they explode on almost anything they hit. They do not lead. They also Brinel out at about 24. They are a royal pain to cast. Mold has to be really hot, and so does the pewter. I know bullets for reloading are scarce, but hunting jacketed bullets is a lot better than casting pewter.

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

Blue knight thank you. That's the best info and help I've gotten from anyone. I won't use unique for it and only jacketed bullets. I really appreciate it.

 

[blueknight7]

Oh, one other thing. Heavy crimp. Very heavy crimp. You want the pressure buildup in that case before it lets go of the bullet, so the case will expand and cling to the chamber walls, and not release too quickly.

 

[hotrod150]

My Hornady 3rd edition manual gives some 357x44 B&D loads, in the T/C Contender section. They may not be safe for a S&W revolver. Nuff said. Only three powders are shown: 2400, H110, & 4227. Here's a couple thumbnail photos of the two pages.

 

[blueknight7]

They are NOT safe in your S&W. As I said with wildcats. They are a completely different creature. You are on your own, on a lot of this stuff. Error on the light side. You can always go up. You can't always pull the steel from the top strap, and the cylinder, from your face and hands without the help of a surgeon. Or, worst case scenario, coroner.

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

My thoughts exactly.

 

[DonD]

While I am certainly no expert on wildcats, I'd second the idea of a firm crimp.

Bottle necked rounds have a bad history in revolvers, the .22 Jet being the most notorious/recent one. Good luck and keep us posted, interesting project. Don

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

I will! I'm deconstructing the rounds today.

 

[Smithhound]

I like seeing the old school project here. I love loading for the 'oddball' cartridges but this is the first B&D I've ever seen anyone attempt.
If you want to try some linotype I have an ingot I will send you for postage only. I'd love to see the results.

PS - this is not a small 'Lee' mould ingot, this would be a good 2+ pound 'pug' to give you a bunch of bullets. I'd be willing to cast them for you if you'd like, or if your not into casting.
RD

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

Me to smith. I'm gonna go with fm j's now but I will let you all know what then next rounds look like.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I think any jacketed bullet would be a better choice than lead. Did you think about driving a 180 grain Hornady XTP to serious velocities?

ECS

Sent from my little slice of Heaven.

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

From what I found with load data the lighter bullets will reach the velocities I need to do long range shooting. But it would be cool to launch a heavy bullet that far.