BHN and Powder Selection

[243winxb]

The one on the left was loaded over 17 grains of Lil' Gun. The one on the right was loaded over 13 grains of Lil'Gun. The one in the middle is not fired.

Do we really want our bullets to change shape on firing?

 

[Walkalong]

Yes, at the base.

The one fired with 17 Grs of Li' Gun looks like it was close to skidding, but did not actually break loose from the rifling and skid.

I believe that too much pressure can be bad, or a max if you will, but I do not think Mr Lee can predict it faithfully, and I certainly would not worry about it. I would worry about exceeding the max velocity the bullet can take.

I also believe by the time you get to the point that the pressure is being to hard on the bullet, other things will be showing up that will make you back off the charge. Poor accuracy, leading starting to show up, etc.

 

[fecmech]

Reshaping a bullet is not the end of the world. I used to hunt woodchucks with a .44 mag and cast hollow points that I made myself, it was the Lyman 429421 bullet. I cast the bullet out of 40/1 lead tin and also 30/1 lead tin which by Mr. lees formula would be anathema. I shot them over 24 grs of 296 out of a Ruger Super Blackhawk and velocity was close to 1400 fps. The acceleration forces on the bullet changed it from a SWC to a RNFP( which I found out later shooting into snow) but it still would put 10 shots into 3"@50 yds from a Ransom rest and did not lead. The same bullet cast out of 50/50 WW/lino or straight WW metal was more accurate averaging closer to 2"@50yds but was not as "dramatic" on woodchucks. My point is that yes the bullet deformed, yes accuracy suffered but a 6 MOA pistol is hardly something I would call inaccurate.
Also something that has not been mentioned in this thread on pressure is that we are not dealing with static pressure against an immovable object. We have a dynamic situation in which the bullet moves and we also have a time pressure curve which is dependant on the powder. A 30K PSI load with Bullseye will affect a 9MM cast bullet differently than a 30K PSI load of Blue Dot. The former in not a beneficial way!
All of this though is really not that helpful (IMO) to the OP. The fellow needs to jump in the pool, load some cast bullets, have some fun and enjoy shooting. We learn by doing, very few people get it all right the first time.

 

[Walkalong]

to the OP. The fellow needs to jump in the pool, load some cast bullets, have some fun and enjoy shooting. We learn by doing

I agree 100%, but the conversation has been interesting and fun.

 

[mbruce]

I'm just pumped I started something that has received 30 replies...

It's one of those things...members post "go read books and then re-read..." This post was a product of me reading the books -- LOL

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I'm just pumped I started something that has received 30 replies...

I remember feeling that way the first couple.