Why am I shaving lead?

[Chris]

I have had this problem too. Chamfer, it can't hurt and will probably work. What Ian said is also definitely worth trying.

 

[waco]

I suspect your JB job is part of the problem

Just seems odd it works just fine with other bullets.

Might need a different expander too.

I can make one if you would like.

Thank you. I may take you up on the offer.

try champhering a few case mouths.

I will try this first.
Many thanks guys.

 

[Brad]

I had a similar issue loading .433 bullets for my Marlin 44 mag. The Hornady seater die has a sliding sleeve to keep the bullet in alignment with the case. The sleeve would grab a .433 bullet and get pulled from the die when lowering the ram. Made a new sleeve just a hair bigger inside and no more problems.

You may need a slightly larger internal dimension on your seater to keep the flare open until you crimp.

Sometimes it becomes very obvious our dies are made for loading jacketed bullets of no I also diameter and not for our often much larger cast bullets. I have found 44 mag to be the biggest culprit.

 

[waco]

Well. Lamar nailed it. I chamfered the inside of one of the new cases and everything seated like butter after that!
I have not used new 44 brass in over 15 years. It never occurred to me to clean up(chamfer) the new brass.
So. Now I have about 15-17 rounds to pull and start over. No biggie. I'll file this one away in the 'ol memory bank for sure.
Thanks again for all the help and advice. It's always appreciated.
Walter

 

[Brad]

Best of all it is a one and done proposition unless you trim cases.

 

[waco]

Right? I like an easy fix.

 

[gman]

My Starline .480 brass is the worst.

 

[waco]

My Starline .480 brass is the worst

Same problem?

 

[Brad]

Except for the little spots of tarnish?

 

[gman]

Yes sir. I have to do the same. Should have thought about that earlier.

 

[waco]

Except for the little spots of tarnish?

LOL! These have been sitting out in my shop for about 7 years. I have no idea how long the guy before me had them!

 

[waco]

So. Now that we have that out of the way. These will be loaded with 19.6gr of 2400 and sparked with a WW lpp.
Firearm is my S&W M29 with a 5" barrel. Factory open sights.

 

[waco]

If my memory serves, Ian like close to a 19.6gr charge of 2400 and a 240ish bullet.
I thought this may be a good place to start. Air cooled coww with a smidge on sn cast several months ago.

 

[gman]

I’ll be interested in how they do. Just loaded some 44’s with 2400 myself. First time I have ever used 2400 for the 44. Can’t explain it.

 

[fiver]

19.3 same load I use.
actually the amount of loads we use that are super similar is kind of scary.

 

[Ian]

19.6 is how much I use for the hollow point version of my Keith SWC bullet, which weighs only about 225 grains. 19.2 is my exact load for the solids I cast with a "blank" spud inserted (Ideal single cavity with Ianized spuds, bought the mould with the original missing). This was where I settled with the 10.5" Model 29 when I first started shooting for groups at 100 yards, using plain-based bullets cast of 16:1 alloy. Any hotter and neither the revolver nor the bullet liked it very much, any less and I got inconsistent burn and groups started to string.

 

[waco]

So I got a chance to shoot some of these yesterday. I had no real rest so I was resting on my knees while sitting in a chair. From 25 yards 4 different 6 shot groups measured about 3" on average.
I need to bring a rest next time and work on my technique for sure. These were pretty darn snappy. I might back down to 19gr from 19.6 and try that. I could tell no real difference between the PC or lubed bullets other than the PC ran much cleaner.