Shooting cast in a FA

I was gonna try some 300gr WFNGC loads in my 44 FA, that I developed for my Ruger Blackhawk hunter. They are extremely accurate in the hunter, so I figure...hey, I'll try'em in the FA. Well, the throats are so tight on the FA, they won't chamber without some persuasion (wood dowel and hammer). I shot two cylinders worth and groups were not to my liking; way worse than with the Hunter. The bullet is a Montana bullet works. Any suggestions from the cast Pros. What would I need to do to shoot cast in this gun.

Thanks

KRal it sounds to me like you need to slug your throats,and I'd slug the barrel to get your dimensions.Thats where I would start.With those numbers you have a starting point.

FA guns tend to have tighter barrels and throats than most others do. My 475 runs 475 bullets, most other 475 guns, all custom, use .476 or .477 bullets.

Every revolver needs to measured and have loads tailored to that gun, if multiple guns end up working with the same loads then you got lucky.

You need to get your hands on a set of pin gauges and measure the throats, order the appropriate bullets that have been sized correctly, and your gun will shoot. I get MUCH better accuracy from cast in my FA over any jacketed bullet I have tried. Montana bullet works offers their bullets in a variety of sizes for just such needs.

Good luck...

X2

I have seen too many Freedoms with under size throats and over size barrels to comment. Measure the gun.

Kral if the throats are .429 or under you should probably have the throats opened up which is something I or most gunsmiths could do for you. I do alot of .45 cal Ruger cylinders but I've also done some 44's that were pretty out of whack including a couple for TCman.

Yes sir, and they are tack drivers know!

Kral, could you send the FA back for customer service? I would at least give them a call. They might even recommend a cast bullet to shoot.

I haven't measured them...but it shoots a 240xtp better than I have the capabilities. I'm getting 2" groups at 50yds using iron's...which I can't complain about considering it's a 4 3/4" barrel. Just while shooting, I figured I would try the cast.

Well those are .430's. What does that mean re: the throat diameters if the XTP's load and shoot well? Curios George wants to know...

I got cut short on my post earlier: as I was saying....I'll have to check when I get home, but I think the 300 MBWs are .430 but not positive; they may be .431. Wasn't sure if the longer bullet may have had something to do with the tight fit. I'm fairly new to shooting cast so forgive me of my ignorance on the subject. I'll do more in depth work with the cast after hunting season, but right now I'll stick with the jacketed.

It is common that jacketed will shoot better with tight throats partly because jacketed are almost always sized exactly to caliber whereas most naked bullets are .001-.002 oversized. The absolute best way to get the most in accuracy from your gun is to slug it and determine what size bullet you need and then have the throats opened up accordingly.

KRal,

Rod's advise is sound. Take his advice and you get it shooting fine.

Doc

Let us know if the 300's are .430 or .431 (Curious George is still bugging me).

Ruger had a lot of trouble with the .45 Colt revolvers having throats too small, yet they shot jacketed bullets OK, not great, just OK.
I found Freedom .454 and .357 revolvers the same with small throats and larger bores. Neither shot cast until fixed.
Now Ruger has generous throats in the .44 so I don't know why the .45 was done different.
If you want perfection with the barrel, throats and chambers, buy a BFR. They will shoot cast right out of the box.

I just checked the MBW boolits; they are .430 (according to the box), which is what they recommended to try first in my Ruger. The FA throats may be .429, but the xtp's are .430 and they shoot great. I'll experiment more after season closes.

I've been thinking about putting one more iron in the fire and taking up casting; you know, I don't have enough hobbies now. If I do, that'll be a good time to experiment. If I do decide to, I'll be worrying the crap out of you veteran casters.

The reason you are having trouble chambering the cast boolits I believe is the bullet is full diameter in front of the crimp groove protruding into the chamber, where as the xtp's are not full diameter past the end of the brass, so they are forced thru the cylinder throat when you fire them. the cast would have to be sized to 429 so when properly seated the front drive band that sits out of the case in front of the crimp grove will be accepted into the throat. I had the same problem with my 45 Colt and 454, once I sized to .452" everything was good. Freedom arms is a very tight made revolver but with all that I have owned once I sized to the throats they shot fabulous with heavy cast boolits! First thing I would do is try some .429" cast boolits that fit your chambers, and think you will be very happy with your efforts, and not find a need to make any costly changes to your finely made FA!