Pushing Cast Too Hard

[High Desert Hunter]

So on the advice of the fine members here, I thoroughly cleaned the old Model 94 32 Winchester Special, used my go to copper remover and the bore, while still pitted was shining. Shot the 170gr Hornady bullets over 3031, got a decent 10 shot group at 50 yards, about half were grouped under an inch. I definitely need to look into a tang sight, as I think the sights were to blame for the overall 1 1/2" group. My cast bullets didn't group, they patterned with 3031. I'll try a couple of the other loads that gave me the 2 1/2" groups at 50 yards to see if they are better with the clean bore. The loads this past weekend were using 2400 and in the 1800 to 1900 fps velocity range, about 200 fps slower than the last cast bullet load with H4895. Thinking of trying a 1400-1600 fps load as well, but I am hoarding my Unique and it seems to be the only powder that is in the velocity window I'm looking for. Anyhow, the journey continues.

Dave

[4t5]

Toward the end of this article the author uses RED DOT powder to good effect. https://gunsmagazine.com/our-experts/th ... r-special/

[High Desert Hunter]

Thank you for the article! I believe I will give Red Dot a try! May try Unique as well.

[EdinCT]

I used to get really good groups with 25 gr of Reloader 7 in the 32 Special. Also 27.5 of 30-31 wasn't bad either. Glad to hear your rifle is shooting better and a tang sight will help. I have a marbles on a 92, 38 WCF that is still usable for this Senior shooter.

[Tycer]

You can probably look back in a search and find a couple of conversations about “black bore”
There’s a few of us that subscribe to the theory that a black coating of lube adhered to the barrel bore improves accuracy of cast bullets.

[High Desert Hunter]

I will do that! I will also be testing the next batch with near zero copper fouling this weekend, which is what I should have done last weekend. I apparently took leave of my senses last weekend. Thank you.

Dave

[Griff]

Unless my cast bullets wear a gas check, & are >15 Bhn, I try to not push them faster'n about 1400 fps.

[High Desert Hunter]

Griff I have been powder coating my bullet and also lubing them. In my 300 WM and 375 Ruger I regularly push non-checked bullets over the 2k mark, in the 44 Carbine I'm getting 1600 fps with a 270gr cast bullet. I think the rougher bore on this rifle is contributing, and I am thinking that I need to foul it and see how it does.

Dave

[Griff]

Ahhh yes... the powder coating... allows greater flexibility in speeds.

[High Desert Hunter]

It does, honestly it's greatest benefit for me is in the 45 ACP and Colt where velocities are under 1K, I generally skip the lubrisizer altogether. It's been a true advantage in my Marlin 1894 in 32-20, it used to lead just a little with cast bullets at 1800+ fps, now it's clean as a whistle. Not very traditional, but effective and it doesn't take too much of my time.