hand loading for 375 ruger

Interesting--the magazine is pretty much at it's limit at the SAAMI spec of 3.340--but I can get a COL way beyond that (a 270 gr speer SP to 3.575 for example) to chamber and engage lands. Seems like a lot.
 
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SP

You might want to try this trick, it may help.

You will have to punch the primers out before hand,
I use a universial RCBS decapping die, fits 22 cal on up.

When you resize the cases, take the expander ball out, before sizing,
this will promote a stronger bullet pull, providing all the resistance to the bullet possible in the case neck.

Then use a .357 expander pistol die to just slightly expand the inside of the case mouth,
to allow the bullet to be seated, without shaving the bullets base,
reload as normal and when you crimp, you'll remove the case mouth expansion etc.

I use this method on all my pistol (straight walled cases) when loading for certain powders like, 2400/296 etc.

Worth a try on that recoiling Mule. :D

Tia,
Don
 
I'm also interested in exploring lead cast options--but I gather that velocity and rifling depth accommodation had bitter be pretty precise or I would be in for some potentially serious fouling.
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Get a Lymans manual. There are enough loads that equal 38-55 through 375 Win with cast that you can easily do any deer in the 50 states. Hit an Elk and they will still go down.

Now that you know what the Starting loads are all about.. you can turn it up a bit. As you have noticed; proper hold is VERY important. Once you go 300 garian thumpers.. you'll know something about kick.
 
Re your barrel rifling:

The only issue I've ever heard regarding rifling being a problem with lead bullets is the Marlin 1895 in 45-70. The very first ones used "micro-groove" rifling just like all their other rifles. It was quickly found that they would not stabilize the large (.458") lead bullets. Seems like the inertia of the heavy bullets would prevent them from being firmly grabbed by the shallow micro-groove rifling. They sort of just skidded down the barrel.

Marlin corrected that by using Ballard (conventional) rifling in their 45-70's after the first year or so and all was fine.

Hard cast lead should work fine in your rifle as long as you keep the velocity in the range recommended for lead bullets.
 
mkl.. Marlin went to Ballard Rifling with the Guide Gun. 1895's in 45-70 were made with microgroove for many years.
 
There is no problem loading cast in microgroove barrels.

Also, don't fall into the hardcast hype. The hardcast hype came about with the mass producers because they can't ship bullets without fancy packaging to keep them from deforming.

I never cast anything harder than wheel weights. There is no need to do so.

If you have leading, then there are causes and most of the time it ain't the bullet.

There is a person on another forum that is shooting cast wheel weight bullets at over 3000 fps, is getting outstanding accuracy, and has no barrel leading.

See for yourself: http://castbulletassoc.org/forum/thread/13059-testing-bullet-lubes-at-3000-fps/
 
mkl.. Marlin went to Ballard Rifling with the Guide Gun. 1895's in 45-70 were made with microgroove for many years.
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Uhh... Don't think so. I've got an 1895SS in my safe that is the rifle (long barrel) configuration and the hang tag that stresses "Ballard rifling." This rifle was purchased before the guide gun was introduced in 1998. Visual inspection verifies that it does indeed have Ballard rifling. Serial number is 0307xxxx if you want to look up when it was produced.

I do not know how long Marlin produced the original rifles with micro-groove before they changed to Ballard but I'm pretty sure it was not too long.
 
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There is no problem loading cast in microgroove barrels
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.

We were discussing lead in the 45-70, not in any of the others. I have only heard of problems with the 45-70 specifically; not in any other caliber with micro-groove.

Have you tried lead in a Marlin 45-70 with the micro-groove barrel?
 
We were discussing lead in the 45-70, not in any of the others.
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Yes, so was I.

Have you tried lead in a Marlin 45-70 with the micro-groove barrel?
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If I had not, I would not have commented. Three different rifles for the record.

I know some folks have had troubles with the microgroove, but there is always a cause that has a solution.

Some folks swear that you can't shoot cast in any of them, but they are mistaken. Sad thing is, they will not listen to reason, so I don't push it. After all who am I anyways?

I don't think the Guide Gun has a long barrel.
 
We were discussing lead in the 45-70, not in any of the others.
Yes, so was I.

Quote:
Have you tried lead in a Marlin 45-70 with the micro-groove barrel?
If I had not, I would not have commented. Three different rifles for the record.

I know some folks have had troubles with the microgroove, but there is always a cause that has a solution.

Some folks swear that you can't shoot cast in any of them, but they are mistaken. Sad thing is, they will not listen to reason, so I don't push it. After all who am I anyways?
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Thank you. I will deffer to your experience. I've never had a micro groove in 45-70 so I am definitely not an expert on that subject. I was simply repeating what I had read in several articles and on a few forums.

Marlin did change from micro groove to Ballard and only in the 45-70 at that time. Perhaps what I have read as to the reason was incorrect.
 
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