Have some #375296 slugs with GC that average 279 grains. Would like a load for my H&H that would fling them 1200-1400 fps. I've never tried cast in a normally high velocity RIFLE, only in sixguns and auto pistols.

I've got a mess of Accurate 5744 which should work very well.

Any other ideas as to COL would be appreciated as well.

FN in MT

Hi there

No exactly what you are after, but I can help a bit perhaps.

In my .375 Ouch & Ouch (22 inch tube) and using a 255gr cast bullet I get 1413fps with 15.0 grains of Red Dot powder (use a magnum primer and NO filler). Like shooting a rimfire for fun and low recoil & noise!

I have also used 13grains of Red Dot with 270gr bullets (both jacketed and cast) but I do not know their velocity. I'll bet it would be just what you are after though! (by the way, this is not a max load).

As for COL, I just seated the cast bullets so that the case mouth reached the lube groove BELOW the normal crimping groove (i.e. the bullet was a bit further out than usual). However, the .375 H&H case is so big that you won't affect pressure at any length you can seat a bullet.

Do youself a favour and get a Lee Factory Crimp die for that Ouch & Ouch. It elimated bullet movement in my hunting loads, and improved the accuracy of my cast bullet loads (presumably by ensuring more complete ignition before the bullet started to move).

John

quote:

Originally posted by FN in Montana:
Have some #375296 slugs with GC that average 279 grains. Would like a load for my H&H that would fling them 1200-1400 fps. I've never tried cast in a normally high velocity RIFLE, only in sixguns and auto pistols.

I've got a mess of Accurate 5744 which should work very well.

Any other ideas as to COL would be appreciated as well.

FN in MT

I've used quite a bit of AA5744 with Lymans 377449 which weighs 270 gr. I found (as is usually the case) that 5744 does not burn very clean until a certain pressure level is attained. Best accuracy and consistancy came at 1852 fps out of my M70. RedDot or Unique will probably meet your 1200-1400 fps needs much better than 5744.

Larry Gibson

I just tried 20.0 grs and it left quite a bit of unburnt powder. I think you're right....Red Dot or Unique may work better.
All I'm really looking for is NO LEADING and 1200-1400 fps. IF I can get 1600-1800 without leading I'd be happy too.

As soon as I have time to set up the chrono I'll try some more 5744 then the Red Dot. I'll post my results.

FN in MT

Hey Frank, I was going through my cabinets yesterday & found a bunch of .375 GC, Hornady & Lyman. If you want them I'll send them up? There must be 1700 or so. I used to have a DW in .375supermag.

Fred,
I will certainly take them. Save them for your next trip out. Gives us an excuse to meet up and sit out in the lawn chairs again. Don't send them...TOO costly.

FN

Ok Frank, you'll probably have to remind me though.

Fred,

Just remembered that the US Postal Svc does a flat rate box for $8.10 You can load as much as 60 pounds in it for eight bucks!!! Be happy to send the eight bucks if You want to send some of them out.

Going to Reno Show in March for sure. Wanna come up and attend as well?? Let me know.

If not hopefully you will get a tag this year.

FN in MT

When it was $7.50 I actually got 56 lbs of steel into their box! If you do choose that method make sure that you have it banded or WELL secured on the inside - it will get beat up a bit - something that dense is going to suffer when they drop it! My package made it, but not with out damage to the outside packaging.

Update on Accurate 5744

I tried 22.0 of 5744 and a CCI250 mag primer. Shot decently accurate but a mere 1250 fps.

Moved up to 26.0 and the CCI250. A lot less unburnt powder and much better accuracy. Crono read 1425 fps on average.

The LEE crimp die helped too. Deviation and unburnt powder more tolerable.

Thanks for the info on the USPS deal. Fred's UP on his engineering, he will pack it properly Im sure.

Still going to try the Red Dot loads too. This RIFLE cast bullet stuff IS fun! Just what I needed. Another facet of reloading to explore. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

FN in MT

My load is a bit hotter than what you're looking for, but I;ll pass it on as a matter of interest. It's the RCBS #37-250-FN which casts a 270 gr. bullet in my alloy. I use 49.0 gr. of either IMR or H-4895 with a one grain tuft of dacron to hold the powder in place. Estimated velocity is right around 1900 FPS with recoil about like a fairly stiff 30-06 load. Accuracy is good at 1.25" at 100 yards. My rifle is a Ruger #1H and I use the load to practice rapid reloading. Leading is practically non-existant. Alloy is 10 pounds of cleaned wheel weights, one pound of linotype, a three foot piece of 95/5 percent lead free solder and one-third cup of magnum bird shot. BHN level is 14 and if over treated runs 30 to 32 on the BHN scale. Bullets are sized at .379".
Paul B.

Paul,

Thanks for the info,but it's hotter than I want. My wife was shooting the 1400 fps loads yesterday and having a ball. The three seven five has always been the "big gun" in her mind and NO FUN for her to shoot with std 300 gr loads.
This has started me thinking of finding a decent .338" slug and trying cast in my pet .338-06 . Another fun gun with say 220-250 gr slugs at 1400-1500 fps.

FN in MT