loaded some oregon trails 158gr cast swc over 4.3 grains of unique for my 14-3 six inch smith. i expected this to be a tack driver load. well it wasn't. seven to ten inch groups off a sand bag rest at 25yds. bullets measure consistently at 358. i grabbed a box of remington 130gr fmj factory loads i had for comparison. they grouped 2.5 to 3 inches. what gives? thanks, bob
opinions please from you bullet experts
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loaded some oregon trails 158gr cast swc over 4.3 grains of unique for my 14-3 six inch smith. i expected this to be a tack driver load. well it wasn't. seven to ten inch groups off a sand bag rest at 25yds. bullets measure consistently at 358. i grabbed a box of remington 130gr fmj factory loads i had for comparison. they grouped 2.5 to 3 inches. what gives? thanks, bob
Oh No !! Exact same bullet, powder and gun...my post may be a mute point! I will be loading today and if it isn't raining I'll take it outside at 50' and 25 yards to see what happens. I will rest it and only shoot from one chamber.I will post as soon as I get to shoot... thanks for the responses from both of you. 1magi
Paul5388
US Veteran
Here's an example of Laser Cast bullets fired at 25 yards. Yep, the ones that went through sideways.
It happens because they are very hard and a bore that's just a little larger than the size of the bullet won't engrave on the rifling properly. That produces an unstable bullet that doesn't fly true and can even keyhole.
It happens because they are very hard and a bore that's just a little larger than the size of the bullet won't engrave on the rifling properly. That produces an unstable bullet that doesn't fly true and can even keyhole.
I have had best success when pushing them at upper end velocities. They are a hard bullet (24 BHN) and in some guns they will not obturate correctly without sufficient pressure. I have found H110 or 2400 loads to work best for me.
Cary
Cary
jrplourde
Member
Hi Paul, that picture is sure a classic but I have a problem with it. Four bullets at precisely 180 deg off and only two holes slightly elongated. Humm! Looks almost staged but it's not you for sure.
It's not a picture of a target but some rendition of same.
Is this something you fired? I don't think so.
I agree totally with the logic of a hard bullet (low pressure)in a large barrel but such key holing at only 25 yrd? I would have thought much further away.
Bob
It's not a picture of a target but some rendition of same.
Is this something you fired? I don't think so.
I agree totally with the logic of a hard bullet (low pressure)in a large barrel but such key holing at only 25 yrd? I would have thought much further away.
Bob
When I first started reloading, I bought some oregon trail 148 gr DEWC based on reading rave reviews elsewhere. I was most unimpressed with them.
They were slightly oversized, enough that they bulged the brass and the cartridges wouldn't chamber. I tried using a Lee FCD to fix the problem, which it did, but then accuracy was horrible.
They were slightly oversized, enough that they bulged the brass and the cartridges wouldn't chamber. I tried using a Lee FCD to fix the problem, which it did, but then accuracy was horrible.
Paul5388
US Veteran
Bob,
I actually did fire those and they were all the same load. Some were fired from a handgun, but the keyholes came out of a .357 Mag Handi rifle.
I was surprised, to say the least!
I actually did fire those and they were all the same load. Some were fired from a handgun, but the keyholes came out of a .357 Mag Handi rifle.
I was surprised, to say the least!
