43-287B

[Brad]

Oops, load was 24 gr of H110 with a CCI 350 primer.
Just finished casting another 200 or so bullets. Some will be heat treated at 425, some at 450. Quench then age a week.
Less powder is easy and makes sense.
I do take suggestions but also have a need to learn some on my own. Now that I know what this alloy does air cooled I can heat treat some and compare.

 

[Ian]

Looks like a candidate for about 19.2 to 19.6 grains of 2400 and a Federal LPP. That's what I use with ACWW + 1-2% additional tin, or 16:1, either one. Great for 100 yards or less.

 

[gman]

What do the bullets weigh with your alloy? Sorry if I missed you mentioning that already.

 

[Brad]

283 naked, 292 fully dressed. The recovered bullet went 279.

I have lots of stuff to try, just need to find time for all of it. Goal is to keep it fun and not have it become work.

 

[gman]

I hear ya! Got some shooting to do with the SBH Hunter and the SRH this week.

 

[Will]

I have lots of stuff to try, just need to find time for all of it. Goal is to keep it fun and not have it become work.[/QUOTE]

That's the key. I burnt myself out with the marlin 44 mag and I still haven't gotten back to it.

 

[Rick]

I think 24.0 gr in the mag brass is at or over max even with a jbullet that is that heavy. 24 might work with the 445 brass, might be toasty there also.

 

[Brad]

I agree Rick. I will back off to 21.5 and work up from there. That load worked well with the 305 HP.
I got 30 of the 445 cases trimmed. Will be interesting to see how using the longer cases changes velocity with the same load.

 

[Ian]

23.5 grains of 296 with a 240 JSP in Mag brass will bulge the barrel in front of the frame and require brass rod/hammer for case ejection in a Model 29, as my FIL found out. "But it's a book load, how can it be too hot?" he said. "Never heard of start low and work up?" said I. "You can't reduce 296" said him. "You can't unbulge the barrel" said I.

Glad you're playing with a Ruger. If H110/296 were the last smokeless powders on earth I'd start using black powder, I absolutely detest the stuff. Rant over.

 

[gman]

One thing for sure about that SRH is it can take it.

 

[gman]

I started using 4227 in the 44 magnum just to try it. For me it feels like it shoots softer. I may not get the same velocity as H110/296 but if the accuracy is there I'm good. Just haven't tested it enough yet.

 

[Brad]

Mine with 24 gr of H110 and a Hornady 240 is way short on velocity compared to "the book". Might well be the 431 throats?
H110 is a limited use powder but for top end loads in the pistol mag cases it is hard to beat. It is also awesome in the 22 Hornet.

I would never run the kind of bullet in a 29. The Ruger's are far more durable and the SRH is the king of that hill. Doesn't mean I want to push the limits, however.

 

[gman]

I once shot some SSK 320's that averaged 1510 fps with single digit ES and SD'S. That load data was provided by the bullet company and was stated as pressure tested but only for the SRH. I was fearless back then. No need for that today. That gun is a tank.

 

[Rick]

Many many 100's of thousands of 23.5 gr H-110 with a 240 gr jacketed have been fired. That is such a common load in silhouette it's known as the house load. It is as it should be near max. However add in over 50 gr more bullet weight and another 1/2 gr more powder and . . . .

 

[Rick]

Nothing whatsoever wrong with H-110, simply need to use it both correctly and wisely. I've burned up more than a few 8 pounders of it.

 

[gman]

That 21.5 grain load might look good.

 

[fiver]

remember the change one thing at a time rule.
or the change them all if it sucks rule....

I'd go with more hardness, before I done anything else.
if you have fitment, more BHN usually helps much more than it hurts.
I'm more concerned about you losing the lube groove totally more than anything else.
I have squished boolits and totally changed their shape before.
the grooves have squished down and even become wavy [with soft lube] but I have never seen one full of lube just disappear before.

 

[Rick]

I have never seen one full of lube just disappear before.

Yep, just screams way over pressure.
.

 

[Brad]

Next up will be air cooled bullets, same alloy with 21.5 gr H110. Same primer. I may try 10 ea air cooled, 425° heat treated and 450° heat treated.

 

[Brad]

Got some in the oven at 425° right now. They have 30 min left. Will see how they test for hardness later.