need better accuracy

[3sharps]

Okay, I took a case and ran it through the sizing die. The id of the case measured .339. Then I ran the expander die into the case and got a measurement of .348. This is about .010 under the diameter of the cast bullet. Is this too small?

[donhuff]

That sounds pretty tight. Usually 2-5 thousands is more than enough, and some folks try to get it to .001".

But now finish up the test and load a bullet or three. Use different brand cases if you have them as some are harder than others. Now pull those bullets and mike them to see where we stand. I put the rounds in my press, bring it up till it sticks out the top of the threads, and pinch it with a pair of dikes and lower the handle to pull bullets.
Mike those bullets and then we'll know if this is the problem. Use a mike, not calipers.

[44WCF]

"Hodgdon lists the range as 10.5-11.5gr or H4227 with a 158gr lead SWC. are you using a gaschecked bullet? do you know the hardness of these bullets?"

I looked at the hodgdon site and got 14.5 to 16.0 max, but that was for a jacketed bullet. I did not see data for 4227 and a cast 158.

it's there, select the 158gr bullet weight and it's the bullet at the bottom.

Maybe they are down loading it because of the cast bullet. Does it give a pressure for that max load of 11.5?

Tried it again and I still get 16.0 and 42600 CUP
And my Lyman manual sez 17.0 158 cast round nose, Hornady book sez 17.0 158 JHP, both those are with IMR4227. Then my Hodgdon manual sez 14.5 158 JHP and H4227

I see whats happening now, your selecting "pistol" in the load type, try "rifle" and it's there. 17,800CUP for 11.5gr of H4227 and a 158gr "LSWC".

[3sharps]

Okay, I measured a bullet and it was .359. After seating it and then pulling it, it measured .358. Does this mean that I need to expand the case a bit more?

[donhuff]

[quote="44WCF"][quote="donhuff"][quote="44WCF"][quote="donhuff"]"Hodgdon lists the range as 10.5-11.5gr or H4227 with a 158gr lead SWC. are you using a gaschecked bullet? do you know the hardness of these bullets?"




BINGO!!! I finally got it. But why would they want you to load a rifle weaker than a pistol? And at 17000, that is one weak 357 not so magnum. That load must be for a swaged soft lead bullet.

I put 14.5g in my 32-20!

[donhuff]

Well, looks like it is swaging it down, though not but .001".

It would not hurt to expand it more, as you don't really want your cases squeezing the bullet down any at all. 358 "ought" to be big enough unless you got a barrel that was to the big size. Mine was right at .357 and IIIRC RDs was .356.

[44WCF]

That load must be for a swaged soft lead bullet.

I think you are correct, which is why I recommended trying alittle more pressure with the harder bullet.

[ruddy]

Just wondering here, but have you tried any factory loads?

[ironhead7544]

Levers can be fussy about ammo. Is there any lead in the barrel? Soft bullets can be bad for that. It does sound like you need a bigger expander if you are crushing bullet tips. In my experience, the 4227 powders do not like to be downloaded. Best accuracy comes at the higher pressures. You shouldnt have a lot of powder left in the barrel. If you do, then the pressures are probably too low. Could be that the barrel is rough. Might need to run a couple hundred jacketed bullets through it to smooth it out. Also, some rifles just do not like some powder/bullet combinations.

[3sharps]

Well I want to thank everyone for their suggestions. I guess the first thing to do is to try a box of factory ammo. As soon as this crazy weather breaks I will give it a try and let you know how I do. Thanks again.