Developing a cast bullet plinking / practice load for 404 Jeffery

[scrumbag]

Hi folks,

I’m currently looking at ways of developing a low cost plinking load for my .404 Jeffery.

This probably means going with cast bullets. Unfortunately the chances of me ever having a location to cast my own are rather slim so it looks like resizing bullets is the way forward.

My current plan is to resize .430 commercially available cast lead bullets down to .424 and start with this 300gr which I have 100 on order:

I use .44 cal bullets from this maker for my 44 Mag lever action in 240gr RNFP and 255gr SWCGC with some decent success.

Anyway, I managed to get a .427” and a .424” for sizing down the .430” as cast bullets and I try with the 240gr and 255gr bullets. Sample of 1 so don’t so more experimentation needed but so far signs are good I think. These are 2 stage resized bullets:

Both seem to have some lube left, something of a crimping groove and lengthened a bit over 0.2mm (0.008”) so that bodes well (I think though I would welcome comments_.

Next stage / decisions are:

• decide whether to give a bit of extra lube with Liquid Alox or go the whole hog and try and home powder coat
• See if the it is possible to get a gas check onto that 300gr Shell House Bullet

Powder is likely to be Reload Swiss RS14 which is their replacement for Trail Boss.

Thoughts and advice much appreciated.

Best wishes,

Scrummy

 

[scrumbag]

Those with cast bullet experience I'd really welcome pointers:

@dodgyrog, @VIGILAIRE (416 of some form?) @alberta boy and @Muir I'd really welcome advice.

 

[Smellydog]

GM Lead Bullets .427 44/40 200gr (RNFP) Pk500

GM Lead Bullet Heads .427, 4440 cal, 200grain Round Nose Flat Point RNFP Pack 500. GM Lead Bullets come pre-lubed.

www.henrykrank.com

 

[scrumbag]

GM Lead Bullets .427 44/40 200gr (RNFP) Pk500

GM Lead Bullet Heads .427, 4440 cal, 200grain Round Nose Flat Point RNFP Pack 500. GM Lead Bullets come pre-lubed.

www.henrykrank.com

Interesting but I think a bit light. I'd welcome some push on the shoulder.

@reiver have you played around with heavier lead bullets for your 444 Marlin?

Scrummy

 

[Smellydog]

What is the biggest bullet you can squeeze in the neck and chamber a round mate?

 

[Muir]

Better yet, what is the inside neck diameter of a fired case? (full power load) Have you done a chamber cast? ~Muir

 

[scrumbag]

I do have some fired cases… wouldn’t know where to start casting a chamber

 

[Muir]

Get the inside neck dimension of the fired case and subtract .001 (at least) and that will give you the maximum bullet diameter you can fit in the neck. I have a #4 MkII 303 that has a .310" groove diameter. Exactly. But the neck-throat is .316" so I shoot .314" bullets. I won many matches with that rifle and .314" bullets despite them being .004" over groove diameter. You may have a similar situation with your Jeffery. You may not need to size them so excessively. ~Muir

Chamber casting: Unless you do it you are feeling around blindly when fitting cast bullets. It is easy, reuseable, and available.

https://www.brownells.co.uk/CERROSAFE-CHAMBER-CASTING-ALLOY-1-2-lb-Cerrosafe-BROWNELLS-080027050

 

[Smellydog]

It's why I pointed you at them .427" bullets.Scrum.
If they will go in a fired case just shoot them buddy.

 

[reiver]

…..

 

[Muir]

…..

What does that mean?~ Muir

 

[njc110381]

Why would casting your own be difficult? The tools you need to do it will fit in a shoebox.

300gr seems very light? If you can find a mould for sensible money I'd happily pour a few for you, it's not difficult.

 

[YoungGun]

Slightly off topic, but does anyone have a copy of the "375 ouch and ouch" cast bullet loading article ? Can cannot find it online anymore.

 

[Smellydog]

I wonder what happened . Did he blow himself up?

 

[scrumbag]

Why would casting your own be difficult? The tools you need to do it will fit in a shoebox.

300gr seems very light? If you can find a mould for sensible money I'd happily pour a few for you, it's not difficult.

Communal garage and I think firing up a lead smelting pot would send the yummy mummies ballistic and the estate management would be upset about the electricity useage.

 

[Kalahari]

Communal garage and I think firing up a lead smelting pot would send the yummy mummies ballistic and the estate management would be upset about the electricity useage.

Surely, you can explain that you are just "vapour coating" the metal roof structure to resist corrosion.


David.

 

[scrumbag]

Surely, you can explain that you are just "vapour coating" the metal roof structure to resist corrosion.


David.

I like it!

 

[njc110381]

Communal garage and I think firing up a lead smelting pot would send the yummy mummies ballistic and the estate management would be upset about the electricity useage.

Sad times! Anywhere outside you can go? I often cast in the garden during the summer. Electricity usage is the same as boiling the kettle, which I'm sure most of the yummy mummies do on a regular basis?

 

[Smellydog]

I use to get away with doing it at work which was cool. Sometimes even got paid for it lol.

 

[scrumbag]

Communal gardens? Same issue I think. There are a few DIY things I wish I could do here but sadly I can't. Oh well.

Scrummy