first time reloading cast lead

[jeffforkliftguy]

Hello folks....this is my first post here, new member. Ive been reloading for about three years now but this is my first time reloading cast lead. I recently picked up a box of .501 dia lubed cast bullets. They have a brinell hardness of 21 and are 335gr. I was hoping some would have some load data for using IMR4227. Its for a S&W500. These are strictly target rounds so minimum data is all im looking for. Im a little nervous about leading and/or blowing the bullet apart. I wanna keep things as safe as possible.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

With a hardness of 21 BHN you will have to try hard to blow the bullet apart. I think it's a good idea to use hard cast bullets for practice, jacketed bullets are just too darn expensive.

The Lyman Cast bullet Handbook 4th Edition is a great resource for loading cast bullets. If you are going to load cast bullets that book is a must IMO.
Midway USA has it on sale now:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/86...andbook-4th-edition-book?cm_vc=ProductFinding

I checked the Lyman manual but the data for the 500 S&W only lists 375gr, 400gr and 440gr Cast bullets.

I guess the 375gr load data is better than nothing.
Unique - 12.5gr to 17.5gr Max
IMR4227 - 35.0gr to 39.0gr Max

Don't forget the range report...

 

[jeffforkliftguy]

So if IMR4227 - 35.0gr to 39.0gr Max is whats listed for 375....what should i start with for the 335? Is there a rule of thumb for approximating min charge using load data from a heaving bullet? My main goal here is safety, i can play with accuracy later. My step father also has a 500 and will be shooting these rounds so i.want to make sure theres no worries of safety issues.

 

[BigBore45]

I tried to come up with this on quickload so for what its worth i used a lee cast bullet and dropped the weight to 335 gr. frome 375 gr. the 35 grain charge was well below max but was still creating enough pressure to move the bullet at 1000 fps out of a 6 inch barrel. i would load 2-3 rounds there and test them be very mindful of squibs. case fill was around 75% so the powder should ignite without any problems in regard to position. Keep us posted.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

So if IMR4227 - 35.0gr to 39.0gr Max is whats listed for 375....what should i start with for the 335? Is there a rule of thumb for approximating min charge using load data from a heaving bullet? My main goal here is safety, i can play with accuracy later. My step father also has a 500 and will be shooting these rounds so i.want to make sure theres no worries of safety issues.

Heavier bullets use less powder than the lighter ones so the starting charge for the 375gr bullet is more than safe with a 335gr bullet. With the pressure and velocity numbers they list I wouldn't worry about sticking a bullet in the barrel with the starting charge weight. I see no reason not to start @35.0gr and see how that works out. Since it's a plinking round I doubt you will go higher.

They are reporting 1434 fps and 24,200 psi using a 10" receiver.

 

[jeffforkliftguy]

Ok, then.thats where i.will start! Ty. Btw, its an 8.5" barrel. Ill be sure to report my ranve visit. I have to wait for the.dies to.arrive, i had to order a new set because of some experimentation that went wrong and ruined the resizing.die...i.wont.go into details but it involved a beowulf case....lol.

 

[jeffforkliftguy]

Range Results

First off...very impressed! Very very minimal leading after 30rnds.

250gr RNFP cast lead lubed no gas check
28.5gr imr4227
Cci small rifle primer
Starline case

http://s911.photobucket.com/user/jeffforkliftguy/media/IMAG0592_zpspcw68l3r.jpg.html


all went well, no tumbling, bullet stayed together, and was very accurate at 25ft.
There was one minor issue that id like to resolver...there was alot of unburnt powder in my cylinders and barrel. Wondering if i should drop the charge to 27.5 and us a SR magnum primer. Any suggestions to eliminate the unburnt powder issue? id consider a different powder but i have three pounds of imr4227 that i bought specifically for the cassul and s&w500 reloads.

 

[ljnowell]

First off...very impressed! Very very minimal leading after 30rnds.



250gr RNFP cast lead lubed no gas check

28.5gr imr4227

Cci small rifle primer

Starline case



http://s911.photobucket.com/user/jeffforkliftguy/media/IMAG0592_zpspcw68l3r.jpg.html





all went well, no tumbling, bullet stayed together, and was very accurate at 25ft.

There was one minor issue that id like to resolver...there was alot of unburnt powder in my cylinders and barrel. Wondering if i should drop the charge to 27.5 and us a SR magnum primer. Any suggestions to eliminate the unburnt powder issue? id consider a different powder but i have three pounds of imr4227 that i bought specifically for the cassul and s&w500 reloads.

I quit using 4227 because even at a max loading I experienced lots of unburied powder and mess.