CVA Scout 44mag still in my safe…

[BBerguson]

I was really close to selling this gun but for now I’m keeping it. I did some more testing with it today and shot some pretty good groups.
All bullets are seated out touching the rifling (hard). (This made a HUGE difference in group size with my painted bullets)
Two 5 shot groups for each load, all CCI LP Primer, BE-86 powder
All groups are at 50 yards.

My bullet, RCBS 44-250K 421 are painted. Flat base
8.0 gr - 2.03” , 1.35” Average 1.69”
8.5 gr - 1.2”, 1.2 Average 1.2”
9.0 gr - .69“, 1.9” Average 1.28” This was a confusing two groups. The 2nd group, 1st shot was left, 2nd, 3rd and 4th were clustered in one big hole, 5th shot was right. I think it may be me inconsistently holding the gun. Being a break open action, everything is moving when I‘m unloading and loading. It’s a lot different than shooting a bolt or my heavy barreled AR-15…

A buddy gave me 3 different bullets to try, all unpainted, all gas checked. All loads are with 8.0 gr of BE-86
300gr - .875”, 1.52” Average 1.19”
250gr - .7”, 1.1” Average .9”
228gr = .81”, .77” Average .79”

I need to borrow his molds and get some gas checks. I’m really curious now to see if it’s the gas checks making his bullets more accurate, the lube or both. I’m thinking it’s the gas check.

I wasn’t noticing any leading with the unpainted bullets but I was only shooting one group and then shooting a group with painted bullets. I didn’t want any leading to be a factor in the test.

 

[BBerguson]

And now that I’ve found seating depth to be “king”, I need to try some of the 357 pistol bullets in my 350 Legend again with them seated out to the rifling. Pretty sure already it’s going to make a difference!

 

[fiver]

you try any RNFP bullets yet?

 

[Michael]

I was was wondering how things were going, had not seen any updates, and honestly I was going find your OP and shoot off a post this evening.

Pleased to hear that it is shooting well. Now wasn't that fun....

 

[Bret4207]

My 2 cents- You have two big issues in the mix and then the whole mish mash of different design/alloy with your friends stuff. A GC will always, (yes! I said ALWAYS!!!"), make things easier with cast at any kind of pressure. It's a relative thing and it's somewhat subjective, but I'll dare say "always". The other big thing is basic static fit between your coated bullets and his traditionals. Whats the difference in diameter across the bullets lengths, particularly at the bullet/throat interface? I'm glad it's shooting for you but you have a whole big ol' mess of variables in play including going into dynamic fit. Were it me, I'd start by doing some measuring and go from there. And there's a lesson here that may irk some- PC'd doesn't necessarily mean better. The time/effort/farting around with PC'ing may be offset by the GC entirely. Of course if the goal, or part of it, is to avoid the GC in the first place, that goes out the window.

Keep at it, it's an interesting thread!

 

[Missionary]

If it was mine I would ream that Scout chamber to 445 Supermag and call it "The Invader".

 

[BBerguson]

He didn’t give me that many bullets, about 30 of each so this is just a test. Shooting 10 of each was enough to give me hope. I I should be able to borrow the molds and get some gas checks. I’ll pc them first and then try some traditional lube if they don’t impress me. I may even try my bullets with some traditional lube just to say I tried it.

 

[Barra]

My neighbour has one.
I cast his chamber and if I remember it needs some filling up from the case mouth to the lands.
He had only swc keith style bullets but if I remember right I think if he had rn fp 240’s at 431thou it would seal the throat better and be less likely to lead.
I would like to try 432’s thou.
pity the only stuff round here is commercial cast pistol dimensioned 429 thou; nail-polish coated bullets Or jacketed.

btw it shoots in an inch at 50 till the bore sours.
Probably good enough to plug one or two things thou.
Hope it helps

 

[BBerguson]

I have his 250gr mold now and tried some with powder coating. Still not really happy with it but haven’t given up yet.