My results with Hunter's Supply Slick Coat Bullets

[eisenhower]

Well gents, range report.

I loaded up 15 rounds of the Desperado BH 8-9 bullets today over 6 grains of Titegroup. In the field, I noticed what looked like a small amount of leading between forcing cone and mid barrel, but after a Hoppes #9 patch and two or three swipes with a bronze brush, it was gone, so I'm thinking it may have been fouling more so than leading. At any rate, I didn't need to use my Lewis Lead Remover, so that's great. I will load some more of these bullets and attempt to verify today's results. I'll try to shoot more than 15 rounds next time.

As to the Hunter's Supply BH 22 rounds in my Bisley 44 Mag over 9.5 grains of Titegroup, which leaded the other day, I lubed 12 bullets with SPG lube hoping I'd get the same results when I lube Hunter's Supply bullets in my Colt SAA - that is to say no leading. Unfortunately, even lubed, the Hunter's Supply leaded my 44 Magnum a bit - not horribly, but enough so that I had to go after it with the Lewis tool. I wonder if the Titegroup is the culprit, burning too fast and gas cutting the hard bullets? I just don't know, but the search goes on for a non-leading load for the Magnum.

I wish I could get my hands on some Unique, but it's just unobtanium at present.

May have found a good load for the Colt though with the Desperados, so I'll do a little more testing to verify.

DeWayne

[messybear]

I think you figured it out. Titegroup is hot stuff. Magnum primers will make the situation worse.
You don’t mention any thing else other than unique. And that not available. I hope you can find something slower to try and see if it helps. Good luck!

[bigbore5]

Try some Longshot or power pistol.

[eisenhower]

So gents, I took the pistol back out today with 20 rounds of the Desperado bullets over, this time, 6.1 grains of Titegroup.

Good news is that once again, minimal if any leading, and was cleaned out with 3-6 swipes with a copper brush - no need for the Lewis Lead Remover.

Bad news - in my opinion - is the accuracy is nothing to brag about. At 15 yards, rested on a bag, this was 20 rounds. That bullseye is 3" for reference. Let me add, not in a bragging way, but I am a good shooter - with my Bisley 44 Mag at the same distance, my groups are half that size. With a red dot on a semi-auto, I'd tear the center out of the bullseye in one big hole. So as much as possible, I don't think this is bad shooting on my end.



I believe my bullets are sized correctly for the cylinder mouths and bore at .429". And I've tried loads of Titegroup between 5 and 6.1 grains, and this is pretty much the norm for accuracy.

So, if I'm trying to wring the most accuracy out of the pistol, what is my next step - experiment with another powder? The only other one I have on hand is VV N340.

DeWayne

[eisenhower]

OK, have loaded up 20 rounds for the weekend.

10 rounds of 8.5 grain N340

10 rounds of 9.0 grain N340

Will be trying to determine both if N340 shoots any more accurately than Titegroup.

Will circle back with results.

DeWayne

[sixshot]

Are those bullets bevel base?

Dick

[eisenhower]

No, flat base bullets.

[eisenhower]

OK, back from the great outdoors and my first loads with N340 instead of Titegroup. I was pleased.

I didn't get a chance to shoot 10 rounds each of two different loads like I'd intended, but I did shoot two 5-shot groups at 15 yards, and one proved better than the other.

This is 8.5 grains vs. 9 grains (Lyman's suggested max load).



Not one ragged hole, but just slightly over 1", so I'm going to say in a Ransom rest, might really be great. I think I'll be satisfied with the N340 and Desperado bullets (no leading!) for now.

I do enjoy loading N340 more than Titegroup, which is sootier and tends to want to hang in my measuring pan - the N340 just rolls out like dried rice, no finger thumping required to empty the pan and have no clingers.

I am so glad I started reloading - this has been fun!

DeWayne

[Encore64]

The thing about handloading is you can never learn it all.

I started in 1979 and now load for almost 90 Cartridges.

I've also spent decades collecting vintage (and some newer) reloading books.

Keep moving forward. Good information is always advantageous. But, avoid the hysterical...

[eisenhower]

Went to a proper indoor range today and tried to channel my inner Ransom Rest from a seated position.

15 yds is the farthest I can shoot with my glasses to give myself a sharp sight picture. At 20 and 25 yds, the target is just a mirage. At 15 yds it's more like a tangerine in a fog, which I can work with.

But this was what I was looking for. For now it's 9 grains of N340 for me.