Leading issue with 44 mag

[44magnum29]

I'm having a leading issue shooting my cast lead bullets through my Smith and Wesson Md# 29. I'm loading 200 grain rnfp bullets with 5 grains of tightgroup powder with cci 350 primers. The lead that I use is range scrap but I switched to wheel weights and same issue. My mold drops .429 bullets, do I need .430? a gas check bullet? please help. Thank you.

[Bill Steele]

Fit is the most important issue with lead. Slugging your barrel and measuring the throats will go a long way in telling you the optimal diameter. Almost for sure, .429" is too small. Good lube also makes a difference.

Good luck, have fun.

[elhefe50ss]

slug your barrel to determine which size you need

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

How bad of an issue? A little lead left behind is what I would expect. A lot, meaning it's plainly visible and extends the full length of the barrel, is not expected.

Have you shot lead bullets before in this pistol and not had this problem? A commercial cast bullet might be a good idea to try if your cast bullets are the only ones you've tried thus far. If the commercial cast bullets have the same problem, then I'm guessing your load is too hot or you need a larger diameter bullet. If the commercial work fine, then your alloy is too soft.

I've shot thousands of cast bullets through my 44 and 357 over the years. Never had more than a little lead left behind after a trip to the range.

[44magnum29]

Thanks. I also use lead hard cast bullets from HSM and have had no issue even with warm loads. I only get leading about 1 to 2 inches of bullet travel and my barrel is 8 and 3/8". I have no issue with the same lead bullets that I mold for 9mm or 357 magnum. I was going to try a larger mold maybe .430 with or without a gas check, what do you think?

[44magnum29]

What's the best method for slugging my barrel?

[Southpaw45]

Heres a cheap method. >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR_WiL8Dkgw

[Southpaw45]

If you ever intend to buy cast bullets, I use and recommend using Bear Creek Moly coated bullets. I shoot thousands of these a year in my .45 Colt caliber pistols and rifles without ever a trace of leading. I rarely clean the bores of them also. There well priced also....

[Southpaw45]

This is also used to take a casting of your bore to determine diameter.>> http://www.midwayusa.com/product/462...g-alloy-1-2-lb

[44magnum29]

Thank you.

[3006mv]

how fast are you running them? I would measure bore/cylinders, probably go with .430 and/or gas checks.

[kurac]

I think most commercial cast bullets are .430-.431"

[44magnum29]

They are under 1000 fps according to my lee manual. I think I may order a .430 mold and see where that gets me.

[44magnum29]

I tumble lubed a batch of 44 bullets twice today and loaded them with 5 grains of tight group. I shot around 20 rounds and the leading was very minor.

[Inkman]

I tumble lubed a batch of 44 bullets twice today and loaded them with 5 grains of tight group. I shot around 20 rounds and the leading was very minor.

Straight ALOX or a mixture? The straight up ALOX stays too tacky for me but the mixture with JPW and mineral spirits works good. Planning on getting a Star Lubrisizer in the near future anyway and no more tumble lubing for this caster.

BTW......for anybody that cares, i still get a little leading, even did with hardcast lead. In multiple 1911s. Never affected accuracy and the savings more than makes up for cleaning a little lead out of the bore now and then. I'd rather cast and shoot cheaply and often than fart around trying to get the "perfect" alloy. Just my 2 cents.

Al