Idea Transcript
Handloader
The Journal of Ammunition Reloading
November-December 1989
Volume 24, Number 6
Number 142 ISSN 0017-7393
FEATURES
Page 2 3 . . .
Bullet Hardness vs. Accuracy
20 23 26 28 31 37
Dave Scovill
Balancing alloy and chamber pressure.
Update: The .308 Winchester
Don Zutz
New powders and bullets for the stubby .30.
The .25 Cibbs
Roger Stowers
An old wildcat lives up to its reputation.
Another Problem for Cast Bullet Shooters
Gil Sengel
Misaligned lubrisizers.
Loading the “Old Ones” (Pet Loads)
Ken Waters
Time-tested recipes for that veteran rifle.
The .25 Bullberry Contender
Jay Turner
Potent but controllable.
Fiocchi’s U.S. Target Hull
40
Wallace Labisky
Shotshell reloaders will be pleased with this one.
DEPARTMENTS Reloader’s Press Lee Precision Sizing Kit. Aiming for Answers .22 CHeetah Loads, What Is HP-loo?, Taper Crimp.
4 Page 2 0 . .
.
6
Page 31
..
Gil Sengel
10
Cartridge Board .375 Winchester. Handguns Match Accuracy in the .45 Colt.
12
Capitol Watch . Waiting for the Shoe to Drop.
14
Benchtopics Precision Handloading - Part Five.
16
Reader Bylines Jury-Rigged Shotshell Slitter, Try 400-Grain Bullets in Your .458.
18
Reader Research The .475 No. 2 Revisited.
8
ProducTests Lee Six-Cavity Bullet Mould. Propellant Profiles Thunderbird’s 7870.
64 70
Dave Scovill
Dave Scovill Neal Knox
Layne Simpson
George Kent
Gil Sengel
COPYRIGHT WOLFE PUBLISHING CO. 1989
On the cover
November-December 1989
..
Ponsness-Warren’sMetallic M-I1 is a semi-progressive,single-stagereloading press. Mounted on its stationary die head, left to right, are the automatic priming tube, P-Ws Cal-Die, a universal seater, a Lee seating die, a Hornady Deluxe powder measure, and a Lee sizing die. Below, the shellholder is mounted on a pivoting arm which is attached to the indexing plate. The entire assembly is affixed to a movable platform which rides on vertical shafts on either side as it is raised and lowered. Photo by Gerald Hudson.
3
PUBLISHING STAFF
RELOADER 'S PRESS
Dave scovill
President
Dave Wolfe Publisher
Mark Harris Editor AI Miller Assistant Editor
Dave Scovill Copy Editor
Holly McLeanAldis Advertising Manager
Jana Kosco Art Director
Dave LeGate Circulation Manager Tammy Rossi Circulation
Mardell Harms Carol Miller Ruth Robinson
Angie Wilde Book Sales Manager Sharon Zalitis Graphic Technician
Gerald Hudson Publication Assistant
Caralee Beattie Executive Secretary
Roberta Montgomery TECHNICAL STAFF
Sam Fadala Layne Simpson Neal Knox Charles R. Suydam Wallace Labisky Gil Sengel Ludwig Olson Ken Waters
Bob Hagel
Advertising Information
Jana Kosco Wolfe Publishing Company 6471 Airpark Dr., Prescott, Arizona 86301 (602) 445-7810
- or Bernard & Associates 3965 Gibralter Dr.. Reno, Nevada 89509 (702) 825-8407
The Handloader is published hi-monthly by the Wolft Publishing Company (Dave Wolfe, President), 6471 Airpark Dr., Prescott, Arizona 86301. (Also publisher of Riot magazine) Telephone (602) 445-7810.Second Class Postagt paid at Prescott, Arizona, and additional mailing offices Subscription prices: US.possessions and Canada - singlt issue, $3.50; 6 issues, $19; 12 issues, $35; 18 issues, $50 Foreign - single issue, $4.50; 6 issues, $25; 12 issues, $47 18 issues, $68.Advertising rates furnished on request. AI rights reserved. Change of address: Please give six weeks' notice. Sen( both the old and new address, plus mailing label if possible to Circulation Dept., Handloader Magazine, 6471 Airpar) Dr.,&Scott, Arizona 86301. POSTMASTER Send addres! changes to Wolfe Publishing Ca,6471 Airpark Dr.,Presmtt Arizona 86301. Publisher of Handloader is not responsible for mishap! of any nature which might occur h m use of published load ing data, or from recommendations by any member of "hi Staff. No part of this publicationmay be repmduced witbou written permission from the editor. Manuscripts from free lance writers must be accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Publisher assumes all North America! Rights upon acceptance and payment for all manuscripts Although all possible care is exercised.the publisher canno accept responsibility for lost or mutilated manuscripts Writers send .for free editorial guidelines.
4
Lee Precision Sizing Kit Dick Lee of Lee Precision, has gained a reputation for innovative ideas in reloading equipment. One of his latest is a cast bullet sizing kit that effectively guarantees a perfect bullet. As most cast bullet shooters are aware, the standard lube-sizer arrangement relies on precision alignment between the nose punch and the sizing die. Unfortunately, the system isn't perfect and most lube-sizers are not aligned with the kind of precision that is required for producing bullets that will shoot in one hole. If a bullet is reduced by any more than .002 inch, there is a good chance it will become distorted, sized more on one side than the other, or bent. Bullets that are reduced by .004 inch or more are, for all intents and purposes, ruined. From tests I ran a couple of years agd, it was obvious that when bullets were reduced by .002-inch or more in conventional lube-sizers, accuracy suffered accordingly. The solution was to avoid sizing, or obtain a mould that was within .002 inch of the optimum diameter for the caliber. The other option was to size bullets nose-first with the aid of a flatnosed punch that simply served to push the bullet through the die. If the bullet was lubed first, by either the cookie cutter method, or smeared on by hand, the system worked and accuracy with good loads was routinely less than one MOA from off-the-shelf sporting rifles. Most designs could be pushed to jacketed bullet velocities with sub-two MOA accuracy - right up to 2,900 or 3,000 fps in high power rifles. That kind of performance simply wasn't possible if bullets were sized in the conventional manner. Once it was determined that lubesizers were effectively ruining perfectly cast bullets, I contacted Dick Lee and suggested that a sizing die would do a better job if it utilized a floating base punch which allowed the bullet to selfcenter as it passed through the die. I experimented with a homemade die which screwed into a standard single stage reloading press and the base
punch was mounted in place of the shellholder. The punch pushed the bullet up through the die, nose-first, and the finished bullet ejected out the top of the die. The only drawback was that the bullets should have been lubed first, separately. Even that, however, seemed a small price to pay for a firstclass sizing job. A year or so passed and the 1989Lee Precision Catalog listed the revolutionary Lee Lube & Sizing Kit. It was in effect, an exact copy, albeit professionally finished and polished, of the homemade die that I had been using for several years. The Lee kit also includes a fourounce bottle of Lee Liquid Alox. The transparent red plastic packaging serves as a container to catch the bullets as they pop out the top of the sizing die. Does it work? You bet. For the acid test, I ran a few 7mm bullets (.285-inch) through a special order .278-inch die and the result was a perfectly sized bullet. Groups hovered around .7 inch, or less at 100 yards. Try reducing a cast
Handloader 142
bullet by .007 inch in a conventional lube-sizer which relies on the base-first sizing method; even if the nose punch fits the bullet perfectly, the bullet is distorted so badly that it scarcely resembles its as-cast form. The kit is available in most popular calibers from .308 to .457. The price is more good news. Suggested retail is $14.98. All you need is the reloading press.
Huntington Acquires ELE.L.L. Inventory If you are in the market for discontinued or obsolete cases, Huntington Die Specialties (PO Box 991, 601 Or0 Dam Blvd., Oroville CA 95965) has acquired the remaining inventory of B.E.L.L. The following is available at this writing. Others may be available at a later date. Twelve-gauge .600 Nitro Express (brass case), 5 7 7 Nitro Basic, .500 Nitro Basic, .475 No. 2 Basic, .470 Nitro Express, .450 No. 2 Basic, .450 Nitro Express Basic, .425 Westley-Richards, .404 Jeffrey Basic, l l m m Mauser Basic, .280 Ross Basic, .280 Flanged Basic, .401 Winchester, .401 Herters and some odd A-Square cases like the .375 cylindrical, etc. Huntington also has acquired a limited supply of newly manufactured, unprimed .358 Norma cases. These have been unavailable for nearly 25 years except for existing stocks of factory loads that languished on dealer shelves. Prices are $15.70 for 20, $84.50 per 100. New unprimed 7x61 Sharpe & Hart brass is in stock as well.
Oops! Ken Waters informed us that the case capacity of the lOmm ranges from 9.0 to 9.5 grains of water. It may be construed that the capacity, as listed on page 20 in Handloader No. 140, was in grains of powder. Not so. That’s water.
More on Lead Poisoning Here we go again. A report in the August 1989 American Journal of Public Health, the first to follow blood lead levels in indoor range enthusiasts over time, documents a significant risk of lead poisoning. During police training, four trainees had lead levels above the point at which OSHA requires removing individuals from the source of exposure. Six weeks after training ended, blood tests showed continued evidence of lead poisoning in five trainees. The health effects of such exposure
November-December 1989
apparently remain unclear, however the most obvious symptom detected among participants was a chronic metallic taste reported by three trainees. But shooters a t other ranges have exhibited neurological symptoms such as hand twitching. Researchers say their concern is not for the occasional handgun user (in indoor ranges) but competitive pistol shooters and employees who are continually exposed to lead dust. For those who regularly use indoor ranges, the solution may be in the use of jacketed bullets or those coated with nylon - Federal’s Nyclad. Make no mistake, this can turn into serious business. Shooters may want to consider a n alternative to relatively inexpensive lead bullets in exchange for little or no exposure to lead dust commonly found at indoor ranges. Bullet casters are exposed to the same dust and fumes, possibly in a more concentrated form. Make sure the casting area is well-ventilated and wear a mask such as the one included in Lyman’s Cast Bullet Safety Kit. Masks used by painters can be purchased a t most paint and hardware stores. Keep in mind, lead poisoning is cumulative. It doesn’t just go away and repeated exposure adds up. There may be a time when face masks are issued with ear protection and shooting glasses at indoor ranges. .
Remington Multi-ball Loads Remington has introduced a multiball .38 Special and .357 Magnum load. The payload is two 70-grain 000 buckshot at 830 and 1,155 fps, respectively, in four-inch barrels. Chronograph readings were 918 fps for the .38 Special load from a six-inch barrel. More significantly, however, these loads are exceptionally accurate, duplicating point of impact for comparable factory loads with 158-grain bullets. Impact for the two balls is about two inches apart at 25 yards, 1.2 inches at 18 yards. At 10 paces, five rounds put eight balls in one large hole, the other two balls hit 1.1 inches higher and a bit to t h e right. Remarkable consistency.
What to Look for in a Grip Legendary strength, the ability to soak up felt recoil, a non-slip, positive grip surface, a variety of shapes and styles to fit your personal needs. . . all the things that add up to MORE CONTROL WHEN SHOOTING. And better control means increasedaccuracy and confidence. In a word, all you need to look for in a grip is this name: Pachmayr!
If you have been looking for a defense load or small game stopper, Remington’s multi-ball loads should be just the ticket. Field tests suggest they are capable of hitting a jack rabbit-sized target out to 30 yards - twice. Brings a whole new meaning to the term, 0 double-tap.
5
Although factory loads for Ken’s 1886 .45-90 Winchester are out of print, handloads in modern cases keep the rifle active.
Loading the Old Ones 66
Ken Waters
I
0
UR GENIAL EDITOR suggested I write this one and in view of the many letters we receive on the subject, I hope it will prove of interest to a fair number of readers. The title, incidentally, refers to old cartridges - not old handloaders - although the theme may strike a more responsive chord among those of us with longer memories. In any event, the objective is to increase the reader’s familiarity with rounds from the past, some well-known, others less so. In each case to touch at least briefly on the possibilities for handloading and actual use since many of the old rifles are still in existence.
’ I
I
A few of the old cartridges remain in factory production and they comprise the first category for consideration. New brass cases are available for a somewhat larger class of calibers that are no longer commercially loaded. They constitute the second group. The remainder includes discontinued rounds which require cases to be formed from existing brass with limited effort. Where they are available I’ll include a few of the best loads known to me.
99
and models in years past, this excellent little varmint and small game cartridge should regain some popularity now that Marlin is chambering rifles for it again. Only flatnosed or blunt roundnosed bullets should be used in repeaters with tubular magazines, and pressures should be held to 31,000 CUP or below. My best 25-20 WCF loads have been: weight (grains)
60 60 86 65
bullet
Remington HP
Winchester HP Remington FNSP
Ohaus cast GC 25070F
charge (grains)
porvder
10.0 8.5 12.0
2400 H-110 N-200 IMR-4227
9.0
.32-20Winchester: Using the same basic case as the .25-20 WCF and generally chambered in many rifles of the same make and model, including the new Marlin, the .32-20 is
Since most of these loads were developed long before chronographs were available to handloaders, muzzle velocities aren’t listed. All gave better-than-average accuracy in my rifles, however.
Old Cartridges Still in Production .25-20 Winchester: Originally designed for the Model 1892 Winchester rifle but chambered in a number of other makes
November-December 1989
The .25-36 Marlin and the ,3240 Marlin-Ballard are listed in the 1915 catalog for the 1893 Marlin rifle.
31
another fun cartridge that is totally enjoyable to shoot. While it doesn’t have as flat a trajectory as its .25-caliber brother, it offers the advantage of being chambered in revolvers. Some of my best loads are: weight fgrains)
85 85 90 91 117
bullet
Hornady JHP Hornady JH P Sierra JHC Lyman RN 313429 Lyman FN 3118
charge fgrains)
6.0 12.0 15.0 5.0 7.0
powder
Unique W-680 AAC-1680 AAC-2
Blue Dot
.303 Savage: Although not quite as old as the .30-30 Winchester, the .303 Savage is included here because rifles are no longer chambered for it and only Winchester offers factory loads. Those shooters who are familiar with the .303 Savage, however, know its 190-grain Silvertip load is a better big game hunting round than the .30-30 WCF. Its odd size and difficult-to-duplicate case suggests that owners would be well-advised to stock up on ammunition in the event it might be discontinued. Standard .308 inch diameter bullets may be used. weight (grain3
150 180 160
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
Hornady RN Sierra RN Lyman 311291
34.0 30.5 17.0
IMR-4064 IMR-4320 I MR-4227
.3&55 WCF: An old-timer with a well-deserved record for superb accuracy, especially in single-shot rifles, it also earned a tine reputation as a dependable deer and black bear cartridge in lever action repeaters. Factory loads are moderate in deference to the older, weaker rifles but strong single-shot rifles such as the Winchester High Wall, Stevens No. 44%, Remington-Hepburn, rolling block and Bullard will handle higher pressure loads along with the Marlin Model 1893and
Winchester Model 1894 repeaters. Remember to use flatnosed bullets in rifles with tubular magazines. Group I includes rifles with weaker actions such as Ballards and Stevens No. 44. Group I1 is for rifles with stronger actions. weight (grains)
bullet
charge fgrains)
powder
Lyman FN 375248 Lyman FN 375248
21.0 28.0
IMR-4198 IMR-3031
Lyman FN 375248 FNSP FNSP
32.0 32.0 33.0
I MR-4895
GROUP I
243 243 GROUP I1
243 255 255
RL-7 IMR-3031
.3&40 Winchester (rifles):Again we must separate rifles in this caliber into weaker and stronger groups. As with the .38-55 WCF, factory ammo has been kept sufficiently mild to be safe in the weaker actions. Group I weaker actions include Model 1873 Winchesters and Colt Lightning pump guns. Group I1 embraces Model 1892 Winchesters and Model 1894 Marlins. Once more, use only flatnosed bullets in tubular magazines. Note: Group I loads can also be used in Group I1 rifles if Match loads are desired. weight [grains)
bullet
charge fgrainsl
powder
Lyman 40143 Lyman 40143 Lyman 40143 FNSP
9.0 16.0 17.0 10.0
2400 IMR-4227
19.0 20.0 to 22.0
2400 I MR-4227
GROUP I
172 172 172 180
Herco Herco
GROUP II
180 180
FNSP FNSP
.44-40 Winchester: Big brother of the .38-40 WCF and generally more popular, especially with modern replica rifles and revolvers being manufactured in this caliber, we’ll split this one up into three groups according to relative gun strengths. Once more, pressures of factory rounds are held to moderate levels. Group I is for rifles with weaker actions; Group I includes Model 1873 Winchesters, Colt Lightnings, Ballards, Stevens No. 44, etc., plus all black powder .44-40 WCF revolvers and smokeless powder Colts produced prior to 1905. Group I1 is for rifles with stronger actions like Model 1894 Marlins, Model 1892 Winchesters and Model 14%Remington slide-action rifles. Group I11 is for stronger smokeless powder revolvers. Watch bullet diameter as bore sizes vary considerably in this caliber. weight CgrainsJ
bullet
charge (grains)
Lyman 42798 FN Lyman 42798 FN Speer JHP Hornady JHP Speer JHP Hornady JHP
9.0 10.0 18.0 17.0 17.0 18.0 18.0
IMR-4227 2400 maximum^ 2400 maximum^ IMR-4227 (maximum) IMR-4227 tmaximum)
Lyman 42798 FN Lyman 42798 FN Lyman 42798 FN Speer JHP Speer JHP
11.0 20.0 21.5 21.0 22.0
2400 IMR-4227 2400 IMR-4227
powder
GROUP I
200 200 200 200 200 200 200
Lyman 42798 FN
Unique Herco
GROUP II
Left, .45-70 factory loads and unprimed brass have been manufactured for over 100 years. The .45-90 2.4-inch case (center)is available as a component. Right, the .45 basic case is intended for re-forming.
32
200 200 200 200 200
Herco
Handloader 142
Older rifles, like the 1886 Winchester (top), Ballard single shot (center)and 1893 Marlin (bottom), were chambered for a variety
of cartridges that were considered obsolete by the early 1900s.
GROUP 111
200 200 200 200 I
Lyman 42798 Lyman 42798 Lyman 42798 Lyman 42798
FN FN FN FN
9.0 10.0 17.0 18.0
Herco Unique m s i all-around) IMR-4227 (targets) IMR-4227 sewi ice^
.45-70 Apparently prompted by the availability of modern rifles for it, factory ammo for this grand old caliber has shown a vast improvement. Although the old standard load with its 405-grain softnosed bullet launched around 1,330 fps is still best for many of the older rifles, particularly those with weaker actions, the new factory loads with 300-grain jacketed hollowpoints that are rated around 1,800+ fps are tops in modern rifles. Rifles rank in three groups according to their strength. Group I, weaker action rifles, include Springfield Trap Doors, Sharps 1874s, Colt Lightnings, Marlin Model 1881s and Ballard single-shots. Also included are modern H&R replicas of the Springfield Trap Door. Group I1 includes rifles with moderately strong actions, like Winchester's Model 1886, original Marlin Model 1895s, SharpsBorchardts, Remington-Hepburns, case-hardened Winchester High Walls, Remington-Lees, etc. Group I11 features rifles with strong actions, including the new Marlin Model 1895, Ruger Nos. 1and 3 single shots, blued-receiver Winchester High Walls, Browning B-78s, Navy Arms Martinis, etc. weight (grains)
bullet
charge (grainsl
powder
Hornady 8 Sierra JHP Hornady 8 Sierra JHP Hornady 8 Sierra JHP Hornady 8 Sierra JHP Speer JSP Speer JSP
36.0 38.5 40.0 43.0 39.0 to 40.0 42.0
I MR-4198
Hornady 8 Sierra JHP Hornady 8 Sierra JHP Hornady 8 Sierra JHP
40.0 to 43.0 47.0 to 52.0 52.0
IMR-4198 IMR-3031 H-4895
GROUPI
300 300 300 300 400 400
RL-7 IMR-3031 IMR-3031 IMR-3031 H-4895
Speer JSP Speer JSP Speer JSP
38.0 to 39.0 48.0 to 49.0 50.0
IMR-4198 IMR-3031 H-4895
Hornady 8 Sierra JHP Hornady 8 Sierra JHP Speer JSP Speer JSP Speer JSP
43.0 to 50.0 50.0 to 55.0 42.0 50.0 to 53.0 51.0 to 54.0
IMR-4198 IMR-3031 IMR-4198 IMR-3031 H-4895
Cast bullet loads for .45-70 rifles of all groups 405 Lyman 457193 FN 31.O 405 Lyman 457193 FN 38.0 to 39.0 405 Lyman 457193 FN 55.0 500 Lyman 457125 RN 30.0 Lyman 457125 RN 38.0 500 Lyman 457125 RN ' 48.0 500
IMR-4198 IMR-3031 H-4831 IMR-4198 IMR-3031 H-4831
400 400 400 GROUP 111
300 300 400 400 400
Calibers for which Cases Are Available (in addition to those listed above)
.25-20 Single Shot: Cases will be available in 1990 from Eldorado Cartridge Corp., PO Box 308, Boulder City NV 89005. weight (grains)
bullet
74 74
Lyman 257463 GC Lyman 257463 GC
charge (grainsJ
5.0 9.0
powder
Unique IMR-4227
.25-36Marlin: Use .25-35 Winchester cases, which will fit a .25-36 chamber and be fireformed in .25-36 Marlin. Flatnosed bullets only. weight (grains)
90 117
bullet
charge fgrainsl
powder
Lyman 257312 GC Winchester FNSP
20.5 23.5
H-4895 IMR-3031
GROUP II
300 300 300
November-December 1989
.33 Winchester: Cases made by Bertram Brass (made in Australia). Available from The Old Western Scrounger, 12924 Highway A-12, Montague CA 96064.
33
weight (grains)
bullet
205 205 200 200
Lyman 338320GC Lyman 338320 GC
'
Hornady JFP Hornady JFP
charge (grains)
powder
35.0 36.0 38.0 to 40.0 41.0 to 43.0
H-4895 IMR-3031 IMR-3031 H-4895
.35Winchester:Cases made by Bertram Brass. Order from The Old Western Scrounger, 12924 Highway A-12, Montague CA 96064 or Huntington's, 601 Oro Dam Blvd., Oroville CA 95965. weight (grains)
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
245 245 220 250
Lyman 358318 GC Lyman 358318 GC Speer FNSP Hornady RNSP
34.0 to 40.0 39.0 to 42.0 45.0 49.0
IMR-3031 H-4895 IMR-3031 H-4895
.405 Winchester: Cases made by Bertram Brass. Order from either The Old Western Scrounger or Huntington's or as basic brass made by Eldorado Cartridge Corp. The Old Western Scrounger lists Bertram brass .405 cases as Basic-3X-inch but the samples received were already trimmed to 2% inches. weight (grains)
283 316 352 300 300 300
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
36.0 40.0 44.0 58.0 46.0 53.0
H-4198 RL-7 IMR-3031 H-4895 I MR-4198 RL-7
NE1 295415 Lyman 412263 SAECO 537
Winchester JSP Winchester JSP Winchester JSP
.40-82 Winchester:Cases made by Bertram Brass. Order from The Old Western Scrounger. weight (grains)
bullet
charge fgrains)
powder
245 257 257
Lyman 403169 Jacketed FNSP Jacketed FNSP
34.0 to 36.0 36.0 42.0 to 45.0
IMR-3031 RL-7 H-4895
.45-90 Winchester: Cases from either Eldorado Cartridge Corp. or Bertram Brass from The Old Western Scrounger. weight (grains)
bullet
309 330 330 416 300 300 300 400 400
Lyman 457191
Lyman 457122 Lyman 457122 Lyman 457193 Hornady JHP Hornady JHP Sierra FNHP Speer FNSP Speer FNSP
charge fgrainsJ
powder
40.0 37.0 50.0 45.0 50.0 to 52.0 54.0 43.0 45.0 50.0 to 52.0
IMR-4198 IMR-4198 (The Gould HP) IMR-3031 [TheGould HPI RL-7 IMR-3031 IMR-4895 (HV loadl IMR-4198 trnax. loadl
RL-7 (HV loadl H-4895
.45-90-2.4-inchSharps: Use same cases and loads as for .45-90 Winchester. Chambers of some original SharpsBorchardts may be slightly small and will not accept these cases. .45-75Sharps 2.1 inch Use standard .45-70 cases but limit loads to those listed for Group I .45-70 (weaker actions), if used in original Model 1874 sidehammer Sharps. For SharpsBorchardt rifles in this caliber, however, Group 11.45-70load data may be used. .45-85Marlin: Use standard .45-70 brass as-is and .45-70 reloading dies. Use load data from Group I .45-70 rifles with weaker actions.
34
.45-100 and .45-120-3%-inchSharps Straight: Cases available from Eldorado Cartridge Corp., in 3%-inch length, identified as .45 RCBS 3% inch. weight (grains)
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
400 51 5 400
Ohaus cast 45405F Ohaus Cast 45500R Speer JSP
35.0 60.0 67.0
IMR-4198tttssuepaper wad H-4831+tissue paper wad IMR-4064 (bullet sealed out to rear cannelurel
50-70 Government: Cases from Dixie Gun Works, Inc., PO Box 130, Union City TN 38261 or Bertram Brass from The Old Western Scrounger. weight (grains)
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
370 490 490 300
Shiloh Sharps mould
33.0 33.0 36.0 32.0
IMR-4198 IMR-4198 H-322 IMR-4198
Lyman 515142 Lyman 515142
Barnes JSP
Calibers for which Cases Can Be Formed from Basic Brass .22-3000& R-2 Lovelk Form cases from .25-20 Single Shot brass available in 1990 from Eldorado Cartridge Corp. Leave full length and fireform. weight (grains)
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
45 50 53
Sierra spitzer SP Sierra spitzer SP Sierra B-R HP
16.0 15.5 15.0
I M13-4198
IMR-4198 IMR-4198
.219 Zipper: Form cases from .25-35 Winchester (or .30-30 WCF) brass. Trim to 1.94 inches and resize full length. Do NOT use pointed or semi-pointed bullets in tubular magazines! weight (grains)
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
45 45
Sierra Hornet R N Sierra Hornet RN Sierra semi-ptd. Remington HP Sierra semi-otd.
27.0 28.0 27.5 25.0 25.0
IMR-3031 IMR-4064 IMR-4320 BL-C(2) H-4895
50 50 55
~~
.22 Savage High Power: Form cases from .25-35 Winchester brass. Size cases full length, trim to 2.04 inches if necessary and fireform. Uses 70-grain .227-inch bullets but will accept .224-inch bullets. weight (grains)
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
70
Hornady SP Hornady SP Hornady SP Hornady SP Sierra ,224 inch
21.0 24.0 25.0 26.0 22.0
RL-7 IMR-3031 BL-C(2) IMR-4064 RL-7
70 70 70 63
.25 Remington: Form cases from .30 Remington brass. Trim cases to 2.04 inches full length size and fireform. weight (grains)
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
87 100 117 117
Sierra SP Sierra SP Sierra SPFB Sierra SPFB
30.0 30.0 25.0 26.0
IMR-3031 IMR-4064 IMR-4895 IMR-3031 (Hv loadl
2 5 6 Newton: Form cases from .270 Winchester brass. Standard .30-06 brass can be used but that entails neck reaming and increased case loss in forming. "rim cases to
Handloader 142
2.42 inches maximum and form in .256 Newton forming die. Then fireform with case filler, without bullet. weight (grains)
120 120 120 120 125 129 140 140 140 140
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
Sierra SP Sierra SP Nosler SB Nosler SB Nosler Part. Hornady SP Hornady SP Sierra SPBT Speer SP Nosler Part.
42.0 49.0 43.0 43.0 47.0 48.0 42.0 42.0 49.0 47.0
IMR-3031 IMR-4350 RL-12 IMR-4064 W-760 IMR-4350 IMR-4064 RL-12 H-4831 IMR-4350
.32 Ideal: Form cases from .32-20WCF brass. Leave cases full length. Use cast bullets weighing approximately 115 grains and sized .323 inch. Seat bullets out and fireform. welght (grains)
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
115
Lyman 32359
4.5
Unique
.32-30 Remington: Form cases from .357 Maximum brass. Leave cases full length. Full length size in a custom die, seat cast bullets weighing approximately 125 grains, size .313 inch and fireform. weight (grains)
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
125
Lyman 31356
9.0 to 10.0
SR-4759
weight (grains)
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
150
Lyman 308156
15.0
I M R-4227
.33 Winchester: Form cases from .45-70 brass with a special form and trim die. Trim to 2.10 inches and fireform. Cast bullet diameter is .339 inch; jacketed bullets are .338 inch; use flatnosed bullets only! weight (grains)
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
205 200
Lyman 338320 FN Hornady FNSP
36.0 38.0 to 40.0
IMR-3031 IMR-3031
.3840 Remington Straight and .3845 Bullard Form cases from .303 British brass. Trim cases to 1.75 inches, size them full length in a custom die, seat cast bullets weighing approximately 250 grains, sue ,375 to .376 inch and fireform. For .38-45 Bullard use 190-grain Lyman 375164 with same loads. bullet
charge igrainsl
252 252
Lyman 375165 Lyman 375165
9.2 10.8
powder
248 265 255 255 220 220
Unique
bullet
Lyman 375248
Lyman 375296 GC Winchester FNSP Barnes FNSP Hornady FNSP Hornady FNSP
charge (grains)
powder
30.2 36.0 31.0 37.0 38.0 36.0
IMR-3031 (target loadl IMR-3031 [deer loadl
RL-7 IMR-4895 H-4895 RL-7
.38-70 Winchester: Form cases from .45-90 Winchester brass using special form and trim die. Trim to 2.30 inches and fireform. Bullet diameters are the same as for .38-56 Winchester. Use only flatnosed bullets in tubular magazines. Use same load data as for .38-56 Winchester. Also, 265-grain Lyman 375296 GC with 39.0 grains of IMR-4895. .3&50 Remington Straight: Form cases from .303 British brass. Leave cases full length (2.22 inches). Size them full length in a custom die, seat cast bullets weighing approximately 250 grains, sized .375 to .376 inch and fireform. weight (grains)
bullet
Lyman 375165
charge (grainsJ
powder
22.0
IMR-4198
.38-72 Winchester: Form cases from .405 Winchester brass. Leave cases full length (2.58 inches) and size them full length in a .38-72 sizer die. Turn case rims to 5 1 9 inch diameter. Cast bullet diameters are .378 inch. Jacketed bullets are .375 inch. Since Model 1895 Winchesters have a box magazine, roundnosed and pointed bullets may be used. weight (grains)
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
267 267 220 235
Lyman 375167 RN Lyman 375167 RN Hornady FNSP SDeer SP
32.0 39.0 37.0 35.0
IMR-3031 (target load) IMR-4895 (game loadl RL-7 RL-7
.40-45 Remington Straight and .4MO Sharps Straight: Form cases from .303 British brass (or .30-40 Krag). Trim cases to 1.87 inches, size them full length in a custom die, seat .403 to .407 inch cast bullets weighing 260 grains, .001 inch larger than groove diameter and fireform. weight (grains)
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
260 260 260
Lyman 403169 Lyman 403169 Lyman .403169
31.0 21.o 18.5
IMR-3031 IMR-4198 SR-4759
.4MO Sharps BN (bottlenecked): Form cases from .45-70 brass, using special form and trim die. Trim to 1.68 inches and fireform. Use same bullets and load data as for .40-50 Sharps Straight.
33-4759
.3&50Ballard Form cases from .375 Winchester Big Bore brass and trim cases to 1.93 inches. Cases should chamber without sizing. Fireform with bullets sized .001 inch larger than groove diameter, usually .380 to .381 inch. weight (grains)
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
248
Lyman 375248
21.0
IMR-4198
November-December 1989
welght (grains)
252
.32-40 Remington: Form cases from .303 British brass. Trim cases to 2.12 inches, size them full length in a custom die, seat cast bullets weighing approximately 150 grains, size .308 to .309 inch and fireform. This was a .30-caliber rifle despite its designation. Note that it is a larger case than the .32-40 Ballard and Winchester.
weight (grains)
.38-56 Winchester: Form cases from .45-70 brass using special form & trim die. Trim to 2.10 inches and fireform. Cast bullet diameters are .376 to .378 inch, .001 inch larger than groove diameter; jacketed bullet should be .376 inch. Use only flatnosed bullets in tubular magazines!
.40-70 Sharps B N Form cases from .45-90 Winchester basic brass using special form and trim die. Trim to 2.25 inches and fireform. Size bullets .001 inch larger than barrel groove diameter. weight [grains)
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
330 330
Lyman 403149 Lyman 403149
34.0 36.0
IMR-3031 H-4895
35
.40-70Sharps Straight and .40-65Remington Straight: Form cases from Bertram .405Winchester cases. Size them full length in a custom die and trim to 2.50 inches or use .30-40Krag brass. Expand to .40caliber in a .40-70S.S. die. This will produce a case that is slightly shorter than standard, requiring bullets to be seated out. Use same bullets and load data as for .40-70Sharps BN.
full length (2.40inches), and fireform. Size cast bullets .408 inch. Flatnosed bullets only!
.40-60Winchester: Form cases from .45-70 brass using a form and trim die (regular full-length sizing die may prove adequate). Trim to 1.87inches and fireform. Size cast bullets .406to .408inch, .001inch larger than groove diameter. Use flatnosed bullets only!
.44-77 Sharps & Remington B N Form cases from Eldorado Cartridge Corp. basic Remington-Spanish cases using .44-77form and trim die. Trim cases to 2.25 inches and fireform. Size cast bullets .446inch. Check barrel groove diameter closely. Some rifles had oversized bores. If groove diameter measures close to .450inch, Lyman bullet 451112 can be used.
weight (grains)
bullet
charge (grains)
210 210
Lyman 403168 Lyman 403168
15.5 20.0
powder
33-4759 2400
weight (grains)
bullet
charge (grainsl
powder
245 245 245
Lyman 403169 FN Lyman 403169 FN Lyman 403169 FN
26.0 36.0 40.0
IMR-4198 IMR-3031 H-4895
wight (grainsJ
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
27.0 37.0 41.0
IMR-4198 IMR-3031 H-4895
~
.40-65 Winchester and .40-60 Marlin: Form cases from
.45-70brass in a form and trim die (regular full length sizing die may prove adequate). Leave cases full length (2.10 inches) and fireform. Size cast bullets .406to .408inch, .001 inch larger than barrel groove diameter. Flatnosed designs only! weight (grains)
bullet
charge (grainsJ
powder
245 245 245
Lyman 403169 Lyman 403169 Lyman 403169
24.0 34.0 37.0
IMR-4198 IMR-3031 H-4895
.40-70Winchester: Form cases from .45-90Winchester basic brass using .40-70WCF full-length sizing die. Leave cases full length (2.40inches) and fireform. Size cast bullets .406to .408inch, .001inch over groove diameter. Use flatnosed bullets only in tubular magazines. weight (grains)
bullet
charge fgrains)
powder
330 330
Lyman 403149 Lyman 403149
23.0 34.0
IMR-4198 IMR-3031
.40-72Winchester: Form cases from .405 Winchester brass. Leave cases full length (2.58 inches) and size them full WCF die. Turn down rims to 519 inch and length in a .40-72 size cast bullets .408inch or .001inch larger than groove diameter. This cartridge used roundnosed bullets. Some rifles may not require turning down case rims. weight (grains)
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
330 330
Lyman 406150 RN Lyman 406150 RN
39.0 42.0
IMR-3031 H-4895
.40-82Winchester: Form cases from .45-90Winchester brass using .40-82 WCF full-length sizing die. Leave cases
36
400 400 400
Lyman 446187 Lyman 446187 Lyman 446187
.45-60Winchester: Form cases from .45-70brass using .45-60full-length sizing die. Trim cases to 1.87 inches and fireform. Size bullets .456to .457inch. Use flatnosed bullets only! weight (grainsJ
bullet
charge (grains)
powder
292 292
Lyman 457191 Lyman 457191
20.0 to 22.0 24.0 to 25.0
2400 (22gmlns maxu IMR-4198
.45-75Winchester: Form cases from .348Winchester brass using special form and trim die. Trim cases to 1.87 inches and fireform. Size cast bullets .456to ,457inch. Use flatnosed bullets only! weight (grains)
bullet
charge rgrains)
powder
330 330
Lyman 457122 FNHP Lyman 457122 FNHP
22.0 25.0
2400 IMR-4198
When cases require only a reduction in taper, as from .45 to .40 caliber, the regular full-length sizing die may be adequate. Although I have listed specific Lyman moulds to indicate the proper bullet style and weight, similar moulds from other makers may be substituted. Many of the old Lyman moulds are no longer obtainable. AS these old rifles vary so greatly in condition and strength, as well as bore dimensions, neither the writer nor this publication can accept any responsibility for handloaded ammunition prepared by others. It is urged that extreme caution be exercised a t all times and only good sound cases of 0 modern manufacture be used.
Handloader 142