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The Journal of Ammunition Reloading Handloader Number 142

November-December 1989 Volume 24, Number 6 ISSN 0017-7393

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FEATURES

Bullet Hardness vs. Accuracy Balancing alloy and chamber pressure. 20 Update: The .308 Winchester New powders and bullets for the stubby .30.

The .25 Cibbs An old wildcat lives up to its reputation.

23 26

Dave Scovill

Don Zutz

Roger Stowers

Another Problem for Cast Bullet Shooters Gil Sengel 28 Misaligned lubrisizers.

Loading the “Old Ones” (Pet Loads) Time-tested recipes for that veteran rifle. 3 1 The .25 Bullberry Contender 3 7 Potent but controllable.

Ken Waters

Jay Turner

Fiocchi’s U.S. Target Hull Shotshell reloaders will be pleased with this one.

Wallace Labisky 40 DEPARTMENTS

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16 18 64

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Reloader’s Press Dave Scovill Lee Precision Sizing Kit. Aiming for Answers .22 CHeetah Loads, What Is HP-loo?, Taper Crimp.

Cartridge Board Gil Sengel .375 Winchester. Handguns Dave Scovill Match Accuracy in the .45 Colt.

Capitol Watch . Neal Knox Waiting for the Shoe to Drop.

Benchtopics Layne Simpson Precision Handloading - Part Five.

Reader Bylines Jury-Rigged Shotshell Slitter, Try 400-Grain Bullets in Your .458.

Reader Research George Kent The .475 No. 2 Revisited. ProducTests Lee Six-Cavity Bullet Mould. Propellant Profiles Gil Sengel Thunderbird’s 7870.

COPYRIGHT WOLFE PUBLISHING CO. 1989

On the cover . . Ponsness-Warren’s Metallic M-I1 is a semi-progressive, single-stage reloading 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.

November-December 1989 3

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PUBLISHING STAFF 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

Bob Hagel Layne Simpson Neal Knox Charles R. Suydam Wallace Labisky Gil Sengel Ludwig Olson Ken Waters

Advertising Information Jana Kosco

Wolfe Publishing Company 6471 Airpark Dr., Prescott, Arizona 86301

- or - Bernard & Associates

3965 Gibralter Dr.. Reno, Nevada 89509 (702) 825-8407

(602) 445-7810

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 publication may 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.

RELOA DER 'S PRESS Dave scovill

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 arrange- ment relies on precision alignment be- tween 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 per- formance simply wasn't possible if bullets were sized in the conventional manner.

Once it was determined that lube- sizers 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 self- center 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 first- class sizing job.

A year or so passed and the 1989 Lee Precision Catalog listed the revolu- tionary Lee Lube & Sizing Kit. It was in effect, an exact copy, albeit profes- sionally finished and polished, of the homemade die that I had been using for several years.

The Lee kit also includes a four- ounce 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. Sug- gested 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 con- strued 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 in- dividuals 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 con- tinually 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 con- sider an alternative to relatively inex- pensive lead bullets in exchange for little or no exposure to lead dust com- monly 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 pur- chased at most paint and hardware stores.

Keep in mind, lead poisoning is cum- ulative. 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 multi- ball .38 Special and .357 Magnum load. The payload is two 70-grain 000 buckshot at 830 and 1,155 fps, respec- tively, in four-inch barrels. Chrono- graph 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 com- parable 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 the right. Remarkable consistency.

If you have been looking for a defense load or small game stopper, Rem- ington’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, double-tap. 0

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 CON- TROL WHEN SHOOTING. And better control means increased accuracy and con- fidence. In a word, all you need to look for in a grip is this name: Pachmayr!

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Although factory loads for Ken’s 1886 .45-90 Winchester are out of print, handloads in modern cases keep the rifle active.

66 99 Loading the Old Ones I Ken Waters

UR GENIAL EDITOR suggested I write this one and 0 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 respon- sive 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.

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 con- stitute 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.

Since most of these loads were developed long before I chronographs were available to handloaders, muzzle

velocities aren’t listed. All gave better-than-average accuracy in my rifles, however.

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Old Cartridges Still in Production

.25-20 Winchester: Originally designed for the Model 1892 Winchester rifle but chambered in a number of other makes


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 bullet charge porvder (grains) (grains)

60 Remington HP 10.0 2400 60 Winchester HP 8.5 H-110 86 Remington FNSP 12.0 N-200 65 Ohaus cast GC 25070F 9.0 IMR-4227

.32-20 Winchester: 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

The .25-36 Marlin and the ,3240 Marlin-Ballard are listed in the 1915 catalog for the 1893 Marlin rifle.

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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 bullet charge powder fgrains) fgrains)

85 Hornady JHP 6.0 Unique 85 Hornady JH P 12.0 W-680 90 Sierra JHC 15.0 AAC-1680 91 Lyman RN 313429 5.0 AAC-2

117 Lyman FN 3118 7.0 Blue Dot

.303 Savage: Although not quite as old as the .30-30 Win- chester, 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 bullet charge powder (grain3 (grains)

150 Hornady RN 34.0 IMR-4064 180 Sierra RN 30.5 IMR-4320 160 Lyman 311291 17.0 I M R-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 1893 and

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.

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 bullet charge powder (grains) fgrains)

GROUP I

243 Lyman FN 375248 21.0 IMR-4198 243 Lyman FN 375248 28.0 I M R-3031

GROUP I1

243 Lyman FN 375248 32.0 I M R-4895 255 FNSP 32.0 RL-7 255 FNSP 33.0 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 bullet charge powder [grains) fgrainsl

GROUP I

172 Lyman 40143 9.0 Herco 172 Lyman 40143 16.0 2400

180 FNSP 10.0 Herco

1 80 FNSP 19.0 2400

172 Lyman 40143 17.0 IMR-4227

GROUP II

1 80 FNSP 20.0 to 22.0 I M R-422 7

.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% Rem- ington slide-action rifles. Group I11 is for stronger smokeless powder revolvers. Watch bullet diameter as bore sizes vary considerably in this caliber.

weight bullet CgrainsJ

GROUP I 200 Lyman 42798 FN 200 Lyman 42798 FN 200 Lyman 42798 FN 200 Speer JHP 200 Hornady JHP 200 Speer JHP 200 Hornady JHP

200 Lyman 42798 FN 200 Lyman 42798 FN 200 Lyman 42798 FN 200 Speer JHP 200 Speer JHP

GROUP II

charge (grains)

9.0 10.0 18.0 17.0 17.0 18.0 18.0

11.0 20.0 21.5 21.0 22.0

powder

Unique Herco IMR-4227 2400 maximum^

2400 maximum^

IMR-4227 (maximum)

IMR-4227 tmaximum)

Herco 2400

2400 I M R-4227

IMR-4227

Handloader 142 32

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 Lyman 42798 FN 9.0 Herco 200 Lyman 42798 FN 10.0 Unique msi all-around)

200 Lyman 42798 FN 17.0 IMR-4227 (targets)

200 Lyman 42798 FN 18.0 I MR-4227 sewi ice^

I .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, Sharps- Borchardts, 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. 1 and 3 single shots, blued-receiver Winchester High Walls, Browning B-78s, Navy Arms Martinis, etc.

weight (grains)

GROUP I 300 300 300 300 400 400

bullet charge powder (grainsl

Hornady 8 Sierra JHP 36.0 I M R-4198 Hornady 8 Sierra JHP 38.5 RL-7 Hornady 8 Sierra JHP 40.0 IMR-3031 Hornady 8 Sierra JHP 43.0 IMR-3031 Speer JSP 39.0 to 40.0 IMR-3031 Speer JSP 42.0 H-4895

GROUP II 300 Hornady 8 Sierra JHP 40.0 to 43.0 IMR-4198 300 Hornady 8 Sierra JHP 47.0 to 52.0 IMR-3031 300 Hornady 8 Sierra JHP 52.0 H-4895


400 Speer JSP 38.0 to 39.0 400 Speer JSP 48.0 to 49.0 400 Speer JSP 50.0

300 Hornady 8 Sierra JHP 43.0 to 50.0 300 Hornady 8 Sierra JHP 50.0 to 55.0 400 Speer JSP 42.0 400 Speer JSP 50.0 to 53.0 400 Speer JSP 51.0 to 54.0

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 30.0 500 Lyman 457125 RN 38.0 500 Lyman 457125 RN ' 48.0

GROUP 111

IMR-4198 IMR-3031 H-4895

I M R-4198 IMR-3031 IMR-4198 IMR-3031 H-4895

I M R-4198 IMR-3031 H-4831 IMR-4198 IMR-3031 H-4831

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 bullet charge powder (grains) (grainsJ

74 Lyman 257463 GC 5.0 Unique 74 Lyman 257463 GC 9.0 IMR-4227

.25-36 Marlin: Use .25-35 Winchester cases, which will fit a .25-36 chamber and be fireformed in .25-36 Marlin. Flat- nosed bullets only.

weight bullet charge powder (grains) fgrainsl

90 Lyman 257312 GC 20.5 H-4895 117 Winchester FNSP 23.5 I M R-3031

.33 Winchester: Cases made by Bertram Brass (made in Australia). Available from The Old Western Scrounger, 12924 Highway A-12, Montague CA 96064.

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weight bullet charge powder (grains) (grains)

205 Lyman 338320GC ' 35.0 H-4895 205 Lyman 338320 GC 36.0 IMR-3031 200 Hornady JFP 38.0 to 40.0 IMR-3031 200 Hornady JFP 41.0 to 43.0 H-4895

.35 Winchester: 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.


245 Lyman 358318 GC 34.0 to 40.0 IMR-3031 245 Lyman 358318 GC 39.0 to 42.0 H-4895 220 Speer FNSP 45.0 IMR-3031 250 Hornady RNSP 49.0 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 powder (grains)

NE1 295415 36.0 H-4198 Lyman 412263 40.0 RL-7 SAECO 537 44.0 IMR-3031 Winchester JSP 58.0 H-4895 Winchester JSP 46.0 I MR-4198 Winchester JSP 53.0 RL-7

.40-82 Winchester: Cases made by Bertram Brass. Order from The Old Western Scrounger.


245 Lyman 403169 34.0 to 36.0 IMR-3031 257 Jacketed FNSP 36.0 RL-7 257 Jacketed FNSP 42.0 to 45.0 H-4895

.45-90 Winchester: Cases from either Eldorado Cartridge Corp. or Bertram Brass from The Old Western Scrounger.

weight bullet charge powder (grains) fgrainsJ

309 Lyman 457191 40.0 IMR-4198 330 Lyman 457122 37.0 IMR-4198 (The Gould HP)

330 Lyman 457122 50.0 IMR-3031 [The Gould HPI

416 Lyman 457193 45.0 RL-7 300 Hornady JHP 50.0 to 52.0 IMR-3031 300 Hornady JHP 54.0 IMR-4895 (HV loadl

300 Sierra FNHP 43.0 IMR-4198 trnax. loadl

400 Speer FNSP 45.0 RL-7 (HV loadl

400 Speer FNSP 50.0 to 52.0 H-4895

.45-90-2.4-inch Sharps: Use same cases and loads as for .45-90 Winchester. Chambers of some original Sharps- Borchardts may be slightly small and will not accept these cases.

.45-75 Sharps 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 Sharps- Borchardt rifles in this caliber, however, Group 11.45-70 load data may be used.

.45-85 Marlin: Use standard .45-70 brass as-is and .45-70 reloading dies. Use load data from Group I .45-70 rifles with weaker actions.

.45-100 and .45-120-3%-inch Sharps Straight: Cases available from Eldorado Cartridge Corp., in 3%-inch length, identified as .45 RCBS 3% inch.


400 Ohaus cast 45405F 35.0 IMR-4198tttssue paper wad

51 5 Ohaus Cast 45500R 60.0 H-4831 +tissue paper wad

400 Speer JSP 67.0 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.


490 Lyman 515142 33.0

300 Barnes JSP 32.0

370 Shiloh Sharps mould 33.0 IMR-4198 IMR-4198

490 Lyman 515142 36.0 H-322 IMR-4198

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.


45 Sierra spitzer SP 16.0 IMR-4198 50 Sierra spitzer SP 15.5 I M 13-41 98 53 Sierra B-R HP 15.0 IM R-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!


45 Sierra Hornet R N 27.0 IMR-3031 45 Sierra Hornet RN 28.0 IMR-4064

IMR-4320 50 Sierra semi-ptd. 27.5 50 Remington HP 25.0 BL-C(2) 55 Sierra semi-otd. 25.0 H-4895

~~

.22 Savage High Power: Form cases from .25-35 Win- chester 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.


70 Hornady SP 24.0 70 Hornady SP 21.0 RL-7

IMR-3031 70 Hornady SP 25.0 BL-C(2) 70 Hornady SP 26.0 IMR-4064 63 Sierra ,224 inch 22.0 RL-7

.25 Remington: Form cases from .30 Remington brass. Trim cases to 2.04 inches full length size and fireform.


87 Sierra SP 30.0 IMR-3031 100 Sierra SP 30.0 IMR-4064 117 Sierra SPFB 25.0 IMR-4895 117 Sierra SPFB 26.0 IMR-3031 (Hv loadl

256 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

34 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

Sierra SP Sierra SP Nosler SB Nosler SB Nosler Part. Hornady SP Hornady SP Sierra SPBT Speer SP Nosler Part.

charge (grains)

42.0 49.0 43.0 43.0 47.0 48.0 42.0 42.0 49.0 47.0

powder

IMR-3031 I M R-4350 RL-12 IMR-4064 W-760 IMR-4350 IMR-4064 RL-12 H-4831 IMR-4350

.32 Ideal: Form cases from .32-20 WCF brass. Leave cases full length. Use cast bullets weighing approximately 115 grains and sized .323 inch. Seat bullets out and fireform.

welght bullet charge powder (grains) (grains)

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.


125 Lyman 31356 9.0 to 10.0 SR-4759

.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.


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!


205 Lyman 338320 FN 36.0 IMR-3031 200 Hornady FNSP 38.0 to 40.0 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.

weight bullet charge powder (grains) igrainsl

252 Lyman 375165 9.2 Unique 252 Lyman 375165 10.8 33-4759

.3&50 Ballard 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.


248 Lyman 375248 21.0 IMR-4198

.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!

welght (grains)

248 265 255 255 220 220

bullet charge powder (grains)

Lyman 375248 30.2 IMR-3031 (target loadl

Lyman 375296 GC 36.0 IMR-3031 [deer loadl

Winchester FNSP 31.0 RL-7 Barnes FNSP 37.0 IMR-4895 Hornady FNSP 38.0 H-4895 Hornady FNSP 36.0 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.


252 Lyman 375165 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.


267 Lyman 375167 RN 32.0 IMR-3031 (target load)

267 Lyman 375167 R N 39.0 IMR-4895 (game loadl

220 Hornady FNSP 37.0 RL-7 235 SDeer SP 35.0 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.


260 Lyman 403169 31.0 IMR-3031 260 Lyman 403169 21 .o IMR-4198 260 Lyman .403169 18.5 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.

.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 bullet charge powder [grains) (grains)

330 Lyman 403149 34.0 IMR-3031 330 Lyman 403149 36.0 H-4895

November-December 1989 35

.40-70 Sharps Straight and .40-65 Remington Straight: Form cases from Bertram .405 Winchester cases. Size them full length in a custom die and trim to 2.50 inches or use .30-40 Krag brass. Expand to .40 caliber in a .40-70 S.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 .40-70 Sharps BN.

.40-60 Winchester: Form cases from .45-70 brass using a form and trim die (regular full-length sizing die may prove adequate). Trim to 1.87 inches and fireform. Size cast bullets .406 to .408 inch, .001 inch larger than groove diameter. Use flatnosed bullets only!


210 Lyman 403168 15.5 33-4759 210 Lyman 403168 20.0 2400

~

.40-65 Winchester and .40-60 Marlin: Form cases from .45-70 brass 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 .406 to .408 inch, .001 inch larger than barrel groove diameter. Flatnosed designs only!


245 Lyman 403169 24.0 IMR-4198 245 Lyman 403169 34.0 I MR-3031 245 Lyman 403169 37.0 H-4895

.40-70 Winchester: Form cases from .45-90 Winchester basic brass using .40-70 WCF full-length sizing die. Leave cases full length (2.40 inches) and fireform. Size cast bullets .406 to .408 inch, .001 inch over groove diameter. Use flatnosed bullets only in tubular magazines.


330 Lyman 403149 23.0 IMR-4198 330 Lyman 403149 34.0 IMR-3031

.40-72 Winchester: Form cases from .405 Winchester brass. Leave cases full length (2.58 inches) and size them full length in a .40-72 WCF die. Turn down rims to 519 inch and size cast bullets .408 inch or .001 inch larger than groove diameter. This cartridge used roundnosed bullets. Some rifles may not require turning down case rims.


330 Lyman 406150 RN 39.0 IMR-3031 330 Lyman 406150 RN 42.0 H-4895

.40-82 Winchester: Form cases from .45-90 Winchester brass using .40-82 WCF full-length sizing die. Leave cases

full length (2.40 inches), and fireform. Size cast bullets .408 inch. Flatnosed bullets only!

weight bullet charge powder (grains) (grainsl

245 Lyman 403169 FN 26.0 IMR-4198 245 Lyman 403169 FN 36.0 IMR-3031 245 Lyman 403169 FN 40.0 H-4895

.44-77 Sharps & Remington B N Form cases from Eldorado Cartridge Corp. basic Remington-Spanish cases using .44-77 form and trim die. Trim cases to 2.25 inches and fireform. Size cast bullets .446 inch. Check barrel groove diameter closely. Some rifles had oversized bores. If groove diameter measures close to .450 inch, Lyman bullet 451112 can be used.

wight bullet charge powder (grainsJ (grains)

400 Lyman 446187 27.0 IMR-4198 400 Lyman 446187 37.0 IMR-3031 400 Lyman 446187 41.0 H-4895

.45-60 Winchester: Form cases from .45-70 brass using .45-60 full-length sizing die. Trim cases to 1.87 inches and fireform. Size bullets .456 to .457 inch. Use flatnosed bullets only!

weight bullet charge powder (grainsJ (grains)

292 Lyman 457191 20.0 to 22.0 2400 (22 gmlns maxu 292 Lyman 457191 24.0 to 25.0 IMR-4198

.45-75 Winchester: Form cases from .348 Winchester brass using special form and trim die. Trim cases to 1.87 inches and fireform. Size cast bullets .456 to ,457 inch. Use flatnosed bullets only!

weight bullet charge powder (grains) rgrains)

330 Lyman 457122 FNHP 22.0 2400 330 Lyman 457122 FNHP 25.0

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 cau- tion be exercised a t all times and only good sound cases of modern manufacture be used. 0

IMR-4198

36 Handloader 142

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