One wont work for all

[Kurt]

Since I got this new .40-65 I been working up loads and a alloy that will work for it and a temper that will hold the bullet with the least amount of distortion to it when fired and I have found a good mix for the .40-65 but I also found that the mix that worked good for the little .40 did not perform as well in the .45-90 that made me pile up the snow again I need something to keep my off the EZ recliner when the weather is bad.
What I found is the alloy that works good for the .40 diameter does not react the same shot in the .45 diameter. The photo, those bullets were shot with three different alloy mixes the top bullets are the .40-65 and the bottom were shot with the .45-90. All loads had the same wad stack and the same alloy for each group of bullets but the only difference was the powder load. The .40-65 had 60 gr of 2F OE and the .45-90 had 83 gr of 2F OE. 23 grains more then the .40-65 had and look at the land engravings. The .40's filled out the grooves better then the .45's This sort of makes me rethink what I will use in the .40 and 45's. When a hard alloy works in the PP 40's might not perform as well in the .45's
And here I blamed the rifle and conditions
   

[Snocat]

I've been trying to work up a load for my 45-70 . At my range behind the 200 meter target the meadow breaks perfect to catch bullets with 12 inches of snow. I set up my targets to see what happens to a PJ 540 cast 20 to 1 with 69grs Swiss 1 1/2 compared to 74 grs. There's .4 thousandths more slump in total length of the 74 gr load. Not sure if that adds anything but thought it was interesting. We got 15 inches last night so I sent a few 510c Bacos today . Hopefully the snow will melt soon and stay gone !

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[Don McDowell]

Nice set up you have there Snocat.
Wonder what your bullets would look like if you cast some from 16-1

[Hanz]

This is cool stuff, and not just the snow!

[Kurt]

Deer season must be over or that one down range wouldn't be standing there LOL.
Bullets look pretty good to me.

[Snocat]

Hey Don, great forum ! I'm pretty green with the black powder shooting. Everything I've learned has been from reading you folks posts on these forums. Thanks!
I'm not having any leading issues at all . Should I not have any slump at all ? Or just less than I'm seeing .
Hey Kurt , steel deer don't spooky easy unless I bring the 338 Loopy improved out even the real ones shouldn't loiter in front of the 500 meter backstop.

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[mherth]

You’ve got a beautiful place there, Kurt, and a very nice setup. I miss the hardwoods of the Midwest.

[Don McDowell]

Snocat we're all glad to help you here.
I would wonder if the amount of nose slumping might be affecting the accuracy just a touch. Good to hear you aren't getting any leading.
Nice deer!

[Kurt]

TNX. Mike. I just wish it was someplace then Ill.

Snowcat that deer sure looks real from here
If your not getting any lead then what your using don't look to bad.
As long as your using it for target it would not hurt to make it a little harder so the ogive don't rub as hard but as long as the nose gets equal contact 360 degrees it should fly good.
I'm a firm believer in a smidge of antimony in my mix that would make that bullet just ride on the bands and leave the nose untouched. If you have the real WW add a 1/2# to your 1/20 mix or make some 1/16 but even 1/16 that bullet will still make contact on the nose but not as hard. Keep an eye out at the local lumber yards for a sale on 95/5 no lead solder that kind that is 95%tin 5% antimony. I just picked up a couple rolls at Menards for $18. for a 1# roll. That is what you would pay for tin anyway. Use one roll with 18 lbs lead and your better off then 1/16 tin/lead.
Kurt

[Snocat]

Thanks Kurt, back in the day when wheel weights were good a buddy has a tire shop that filled 2 five gal buckets full a week . Somehow I ended up with a good size pile that gets feed out to mostly 44s and 45 ACPs. I'll add sum to the brew. Snocat