Seeking advise re cast bullets

[RKBA4CA]

Currently I own a Lee mold 429-214-SWC part# 90336.
Using the bullets it drops as cust with 6.2 gr of Universal my 7 1/2" RH shoots 1.5" groups at 10 yards. Haven't tried longer distance yet, but going.

I am not eager to push the velocity and am content with plinking with light loads, but slow speed of casting with 2-cavity mold is a royal PITA. What Lee 6-cavity mold would work well in 7 1/2" RH?

C429-240 SWC part# 90483 looks like an OK bullet. I would like to keep the cost low. Would it be OK to use the bullets from it without gas checks? Or did anyone have experience with TL430-240SWC part# 90357?

 

[TiteGroups]

Only been casting for a short period of time but own that particular mold, TL430, not thrilled with it but when it comes to molds you have to evaluate each one on an individual basis. I own several lee 6cav. and in general am happy with them. Makes lots of bullets fast. Also have a couple lyman 4cav and a 10cav. H&G. There's much more to casting good bullets than just the mold. Too much to get into here, you might want to join the "Cast Boolit" forum and get up to speed.

 

[flhr62]

90357

 

[5of7]

If you go to this site http://castboolits.gunloads.com/index.php you will find that these guys have all the answers regarding cast bullets. 8)

 

[RKBA4CA]

I am a long time supporting member of castboolits, but when asking such question there, I usually hear from the shooters of Colt, S&W, Freedom Arms, Dan Wesson etc. etc. etc. Hoping to hear from the RH owners here.

 

[Chuckbuster]

Have not done much work with a Redhawk but have always gotten excellent results in assorted Blackhawks with a copy of Elmer's original thru range of loads from "Trail Boss" up through "Unique" and into lower end of 2400 based loads. Lyman 429421 or H&G #503 my favorite's. Have a 4cav Brass MiHec version of the H&G,

"Old Fashioned" I suppose but it ain't broke not gonna try to fix it.

 

[Corbi]

The Ranch Dog 265 grain bullet works well in my redhawk. He offers that mold in 6 cavity.

Corbi

 

[tek4260]

I am a long time supporting member of castboolits, but when asking such question there, I usually hear from the shooters of Colt, S&W, Freedom Arms, Dan Wesson etc. etc. etc. Hoping to hear from the RH owners here.

I think the Redhawk will do as well as most any other firearm with regard to boolits. The positive aspect of the Ruger is that it will take much hotter loads than most others, while the negative is the trigger on them.

As far as a good boolit for plinking, any one with a flat base and good lube capacity should give great results.

 

[two bit okie]

long time caster for 44, am an old fart that is tired of recoil. what I shoot most is the lee 200 gr out of a six cavity and the 310, just a few of those, out of a 2 cav. 6grs of unique dont make me sorry out of a pair of 4 5/8 and a pr of 7.5 vaqueros.

I have two more set of 44 blocks from lyman and they are 240, one with gas check and one with out.

after mic ing all the cavities, I dont even size the lees any more and they dont use gaschecks.

fwiw

 

[gramps]

I have read that the Redhawks are more accurate with heavy for caliber bullets. I cannot verify that due to not shooting my Redhawk enough with a variety of bullets. I hope to be able to do that soon.
gramps

 

[Dale53]

I have a RedHawk and have taken several deer with mine. My practice load for my various .44 Magnums is 23.0 grs of H110 and a 250 gr Keith (favorite is the Mihec H&G #503). My hunting load is the same bullet with 24.0 grs of H110.

My heavy bullet load for the heaviest of game is the Lee C430-310-RF ahead of 21.5 grs of H110 (it is EXTREMELY important to seat the bullet long with this load- using the crimp groove nearest the base).

I size my .44 bullets at .430".

Dale53

 

[GAR]

Another fan of the 429421 mold. Mine is made by NOE.
Size mine also at .430
The above bullet and 10.0 grains of HS6 is my normal carry/target load.
Good for about 900 fps across the screens.

My heavy load is a 320gr LBT style LFN.
Heavy dose of 296/110 powder.

Tom

 

[Iron Mike Golf]

I have a RH with 7.5" barrel. I have cast and shot the RCBS 44-250-KT, but now cast using a couple of Mihec molds: 200/220 RF-HP (200 gr when cast as HP) and the #503 clone Dale mentioned above. I get great accuracy shooting to #503 over the following charges (no chrony data):

19.6 gr 2400
20.0 gr AA #9
17.6 gr AA #7
23.0 gr MP-300

It also shoots 210 gr GDHP over 27.5 gr H110 extremely well.

 

[arthury]

You might wanna read a couple of these books to get up to speed:

• Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook
• Jacketed Performance With Cast Bullets by Veral Smith

The latter book has many years of experience condensed into a small book and it is definitely worth every penny of it.

To answer your question, yes, it is possible to shoot higher velocity cast bullets without gas check. The fit of your bullet in the chamber must be good and the bullet needs to be lubricated correctly to have a good seal during discharge.

The success of cast bullets being shot at higher velocities depends on these factors:

• bullet fit
• bullet hardness
• Lube
• bore condition

with Bullet Fit playing the role as a foundation for everything else when they all fall into the correct places.

That means you need to know the exact measurements of your forcing cone and your cylinder chambers before you pick your molds.