38-40 Bullet Problems Solved..
Huey
[subject]
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 06:18 (2472 days ago)
Checked the diameters of Sierra and Hornady 41 Magnum 210 grn Bullets.
They were both undersized too. The Sierra Bullet was .4085" and the Hornady was .409".
I lubed the bullets and pushed them thru my Lee .401" Sizer Die. Surprisingly, I didn't experience any "Spring Back" with the jacketed bullets.
They came out .4005", the same as cast bullets sized in the die. This will give a nearly perfect bullet for the 38-40s.
![[image]](images/uploaded/201911201318455dd53d352be59.jpg)
Great! You can do that with some.
Jim Taylor
[subject]
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 06:34 (2472 days ago) @ Huey
I sized some 200 gr. .451 XTP's intended for the .45 ACP down to .430" and shot them in the .44 Special with a fairly stiff load of AA#9. They averaged about 4" at 20 yards .. some a little tighter.
There was no need for them .. I just wanted to see what they would do.
I've found that if I size down too much..
Huey
[subject]
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 06:54 (2472 days ago) @ Jim Taylor
The jacket springs back and separates from the core. That has killed accuracy and they come apart during testing. No doubt they'd do the same on game.
These only sized down .007-.008" and appear to be fine.
Made 100 each Sierra and Hornady 210s and have them in a tumbler polishing now.
They sized down much easier using Red Rooster Radical Wildcat Lube. So, that's what I'll be using. The Saga continues...
Yes. I had that springback when trying to make .348 bullets
Jim Taylor
[subject]
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 07:19 (2472 days ago) @ Huey
from .358 bullets.
I'm guessing these didn't due to the jacket being...
Huey
[subject]
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 07:28 (2472 days ago) @ Jim Taylor
Thinner, softer, etc?
Maybe JT, Gary, WB and others will weigh in later today.
Will load some later and do expansion, penetration and integrity testing. My efforts are unscientific, but usually work for me.
One of the misfits using the .401 GNR
WB
[subject]
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 07:36 (2472 days ago) @ Huey
in a wheelgun used that trick with either the Hornady 210 gr. or Serria 210. .410" reducing to 10mm, and took a nice hog. He sent me the picture but I can't seem to find it.
Since I also shoot a 401 GNR, I can live with that!!!
Huey
[subject]
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 09:42 (2471 days ago) @ WB
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sierra have advertised their bullets to be undersized
Lynn
[subject]
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 09:05 (2472 days ago) @ Huey
for cal.by 005? Do not know of the other brands. Their lead is also soft. I had a sierra ballistician tell me that heir lead in say the 225gr .358 is hard, I thought let me send you a hard lead bullet. Have not used JHP in years sounds like you have winner for you purpose.
sierra has always advertised their bullets to be undersized
lynn
[subject]
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 09:36 (2471 days ago) @ Huey
with to me the lead being soft
It depends on the bullet construction, lube helps.
WB
[subject]
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 07:29 (2472 days ago) @ Jim Taylor
I have wiped all the lube groves off a cast bullet before, paint coated it and shot fine. If you deform the jacketed core too much it can do odd things.
It is a very satisfying trick if it goes off well.
WHEN THE RUGER .45 BLKHWK
JT
[subject]
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 09:52 (2471 days ago) @ Huey
CAME OUT WE SIZED .45-70s DOWN IN TWO STEPS.
I still have some of those!
Jim Taylor
[subject]
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 10:06 (2471 days ago) @ JT
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If these aren't accurate or come apart, I may...
Huey
[subject]
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 11:14 (2471 days ago) @ JT
Have to do the same. I'm optimistic because they sized down easily.
Also, if they spring back they usually measure .0005-.001" larger than cast from the same sizer die.
Will know in a little while...
I sized some from .458" down to .450"
Jim Taylor
[subject]
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 11:21 (2471 days ago) @ Huey
in 3 steps. These were cast bullets and of course do not have the jacket spring-back problem. But it was quite a drastic size reduction. However they shot quite accurately.
Yep working with the Ruger Old Army BP
WB
[subject]
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 13:29 (2471 days ago) @ Jim Taylor
I know the round balls are .454 but I had ot size bullets to .452 before they would fit. Pure plumbers lead mind you. I made up some .458" Lee 340 gr. RN and some SSK 270 gr. FN that I think were .454 and sized both to .452.
The 340 gr. would slide out of the cylinder on the second shot in recoil. They went about 750 fps with as much 777 as I could get under it and make fit. The 270 gr. ran 900 fps with a .44 Special or .41 Mag. case level full used as a measure. (Both have same capacity). That's what I used to shoot that little hog. It BARELY had enough to get into the inner cavity. The lead no doubt mashed out and dumped all it's energy. The C&B is no cannon. I think round balls traveling faster would penetrate better, not sure, just a hunch.
I have sized .410" to .401 but that is about all I can manage. Beyond that the bullet is badly distorted and becomes it's own identity. Jacketed, the bullet cores can pinch and protrude. But in theory you could keep on and "swage" to whatever your had in mind.
I have two sets of the old swage dies for common presses. One is .358" the other is .41. A tinker's delight.