Okay, help me out here Gentlemen.
My son-in-law picked up a new Ruger Super Redhawk in 44 Mag a few weeks ago. We started working up some loads using PowerBond 240 grain Flat Points we got from Rocky Mountain Reloading and 240 grain LSWC, Elmer K's, BHN 18 from Missouri Bullet Company.
For all loads we used new Starline brass that had been sized, trimmed, chamfered, deburred and then primed with Winchester large pistol primers. Alliant 2400 is my favorite powder for 357 mag and 45 Colt so that is what we are using for the 44 mag. With the lead bullets we started at 17.8 grains and worked up to 20.2 in 3 tenth grain steps and starting at 17.8 grains we are up to 19.6 with the plated bullets using the same 3 tenth grain steps. We loaded up 12 of each powder charge so we could both shoot a cylinder full of each load.
Here's the problem. (Tried to take pictures but my cheap o camera ain't up to the task. )
It looked like we were having a little gas leaking around the primer with just a little smut circling the primer. The 'leak' ain't happening on every round but at least one in each different load is doing it. When we got up to the 19.9 grain and the 20.2 grain lead bullet loads you could even feel a little crusty grit? in the gap between the primer and the brass with your fingernail. Well, when I got home and punched out the primer I found that it wasn't a leak but it was actually a tiny hole in the corner radius of the primer. It's tiny but it is a hole. It's about the size that you could probably stick the sharp end of a fine sewing needle in it. On the lighter loads I can't find a hole at all. They look normal except for the occasional smut.
Later I found one with the smut ring in my 45 Colt OF Starline brass. It was loaded with a 250 grain LRNFP from MBC with 18 grains of 2400 and the same primers. We are fixin to load some with Remington and Federal primers and see what happens.
Is this a problem with the primers or is it just too much pressure??? I've shot several of that 45 Colt load through my Blackhawk since I bought it new last October and it's been shooting good. It may have been 'leaking' but I never noticed it if it was.
What's going on here guys?
Seedtick
My son-in-law picked up a new Ruger Super Redhawk in 44 Mag a few weeks ago. We started working up some loads using PowerBond 240 grain Flat Points we got from Rocky Mountain Reloading and 240 grain LSWC, Elmer K's, BHN 18 from Missouri Bullet Company.
For all loads we used new Starline brass that had been sized, trimmed, chamfered, deburred and then primed with Winchester large pistol primers. Alliant 2400 is my favorite powder for 357 mag and 45 Colt so that is what we are using for the 44 mag. With the lead bullets we started at 17.8 grains and worked up to 20.2 in 3 tenth grain steps and starting at 17.8 grains we are up to 19.6 with the plated bullets using the same 3 tenth grain steps. We loaded up 12 of each powder charge so we could both shoot a cylinder full of each load.
Here's the problem. (Tried to take pictures but my cheap o camera ain't up to the task. )
It looked like we were having a little gas leaking around the primer with just a little smut circling the primer. The 'leak' ain't happening on every round but at least one in each different load is doing it. When we got up to the 19.9 grain and the 20.2 grain lead bullet loads you could even feel a little crusty grit? in the gap between the primer and the brass with your fingernail. Well, when I got home and punched out the primer I found that it wasn't a leak but it was actually a tiny hole in the corner radius of the primer. It's tiny but it is a hole. It's about the size that you could probably stick the sharp end of a fine sewing needle in it. On the lighter loads I can't find a hole at all. They look normal except for the occasional smut.
Later I found one with the smut ring in my 45 Colt OF Starline brass. It was loaded with a 250 grain LRNFP from MBC with 18 grains of 2400 and the same primers. We are fixin to load some with Remington and Federal primers and see what happens.
Is this a problem with the primers or is it just too much pressure??? I've shot several of that 45 Colt load through my Blackhawk since I bought it new last October and it's been shooting good. It may have been 'leaking' but I never noticed it if it was.
What's going on here guys?
Seedtick