I recently bought a Ruger Bisley in 454 Casull and I like it a lot but the ammo is very expensive. I want to reload and go slightly more mild, more 44 magnum "ish". I am thinking a 250 grain lead bullet at around 1,000 fps at the muzzle. I have run into a lot of issues.
1. Powder charge. The case is so large that a small charge could not ignite properly causing all sorts of trouble. The powder used has to be suitable.
2. Primer. On the 44 magnum you don't need a small rifle primer, I am thinking if I reload to lower pressure (24,000 cup) then maybe a small pistol primer s/b okay.
3. Bullet Hard cast? Gas Check? I cast 250 gr .451 sized for my Colt 45 peacemaker. The round does leave some lead fouling so I figure if it gets bumped up to 1,000 fps there will be a lot of lead fouling. I don't have a hardness tester. Can I use wheel weights and add tin etc in a ratio and be fairly certain the hardness is okay or is it more complicated? If I just use wheel weights but go with a gas check design and add the gas check, then will the gas check reduce the lead fouling even if I am using wheel weights or do I still need a harder lead alloy?
4. Factory crimp die by Lee. This is recommended but I am thinking maybe just for full power loads. I don't use it for the 44 Magnum and I've never had any issues. On a mild 454 Casull, do I need the crimp die?
1. Powder charge. The case is so large that a small charge could not ignite properly causing all sorts of trouble. The powder used has to be suitable.
2. Primer. On the 44 magnum you don't need a small rifle primer, I am thinking if I reload to lower pressure (24,000 cup) then maybe a small pistol primer s/b okay.
3. Bullet Hard cast? Gas Check? I cast 250 gr .451 sized for my Colt 45 peacemaker. The round does leave some lead fouling so I figure if it gets bumped up to 1,000 fps there will be a lot of lead fouling. I don't have a hardness tester. Can I use wheel weights and add tin etc in a ratio and be fairly certain the hardness is okay or is it more complicated? If I just use wheel weights but go with a gas check design and add the gas check, then will the gas check reduce the lead fouling even if I am using wheel weights or do I still need a harder lead alloy?
4. Factory crimp die by Lee. This is recommended but I am thinking maybe just for full power loads. I don't use it for the 44 Magnum and I've never had any issues. On a mild 454 Casull, do I need the crimp die?