WUSSY CAT 44 MAG, 160 gr wc loads

[Catpop]

As promised here is 2nd run of the above (all loads weighed)
429-162 LEE MOLD (164 gr actual c acww), WIN 231, Fed LPP
5.5 gr 632fps
6.0 gr 842fps (not sure why the jump here or why 5.5 is low?)
6.5 gr 897fps
7.0 gr 930fps (best group)
6" 629 SW
All great fun to shoot, none of that arthritis pounding stuff
Catpop

 

[blarby]

Awesome- thanks for the update

 

[ATLDave]

Possible reason for very slow 5.5 load: bullet friction through barrel was greater than pressure towards the end of the barrel. The would mean the bullet was decelerating as it left the barrel... and was close to getting stuck!

 

[horsemen61]

Good to know

 

[mackg]

Thank you!

Did he shorten the -208 mold or is it a special order?

To answer your previous thread about the mold, I had a hell of a time casting with the -208 and range lead. It did a great job with pure lead though...

 

[Catpop]

mackg,
The mold belongs to a friend of mine and he just acquired it at a gun show with about 10 other molds. It was the only one in 429. I went back this am to the mold to verify the grains. I was slightly mistaken. It is a LEE 429-162 (not 160). Good thing it is closer to the actual weight of 164. Sorry if this caused any confusion. I don't know old it is.
Also I loaded up another 20 last night (6.0 to 8.0) and will test them soon. I did move up from 5.5 to 6.0 on ALTDave's opinion it may be way too slow, Catpop

 

[mackg]

Well now I seem to remember the bullet from the oldest LEE catalog I had years ago. Many designs were available in two lengths, basically with or without an extra "floor".
Cutting a drive band and a lube groove off one of LEE's older .44 designs will remove about 40 grains.
I still don't remember pistol molds being available in single cavity though .

It looks like you have the box, as the molds don't show bullet weights?

I did limited testing with the -208, considering how un-cooperative it was and the lack of official data (recoil was also way too light for my tastes of the time ):
5.5 grs in revolver, and 6.5 grs in revolvers and carbine, with two powders listed as equivalent to Unique.
4.6 grs in revolver, with a powder similar to Bullseye.
All loads were recorded as accurate.

 

[Catpop]

mackg,
*Neg on box, it is stamped on side of actual al. mold "LEE 429-162"
*Sadly it is a single cavity mold of unknown vintage. But like new and cast great boolits!
*Way to light recoil? Live long enough and you will get there with the recoil thing. Sadly enough Mr. Arther Ritus goes shooting with me every time I go! I wish he would stay home when I carry the 44! HAHA
Catpop

 

[blarby]

Pach grips help keep that guy at bay, Cat.

7.0 gr 930fps (best group)

If thats the truth- keep shootin it !

I have no reason to doubt it was, but you'll need some 40-50 cylinders full at all of the levels to truly make that statement. Unless of course all of the other ones are like...patterns, not groups.

 

[mackg]

mackg,
*Neg on box, it is stamped on side of actual al. mold "LEE 429-162"
*Sadly it is a single cavity mold of unknown vintage. But like new and cast great boolits!
*Way to light recoil? Live long enough and you will get there with the recoil thing. Sadly enough Mr. Arther Ritus goes shooting with me every time I go! I wish he would stay home when I carry the 44! HAHA
Catpop

Thanks for the info!

Even now, 25 years later, as I hardly ever shoot magnum loads, I think there's such a thing as excessively light recoil...

I like Target/reduced loads, about 6.5 grs of any superfast or 9 grs of Unique-like powders under a 200-240 gr bullet. But it is true that I am satisfied with much less in my lighter 44-40 New Service.

 

[Catpop]

5/11/14 update,
3rd 5 shot test
5.5 gr 632fps (old)
6.0 gr 810fps average ES100
6.5 gr 871fps average ES66
7.0 gr 938fps average ES61(still best group)
7.5 gr 996fps ES35 (new, second best group)
Thanks to all, Catpop