My Preferred Method
Handloading
My preferred method using Starline cases, hand cast 43-214A lead bullets, sized .428" and between 25gr and 25.6gr of Reloder 7 powder (for rifle use), RCBS resizing die, Lyman 44 Mag "M" expander die and crimped with the Redding Profile Crimp die.
Starline Brass, fresh out of the bag
Using a powder spout to clean up the dings
Smoothing out the case mouth/neck
I use this mix as my case lube, works very well with just a couple pumps
RCBS 44-40 "Cowboy" Decaper/Resizing Die for larger diameter lead bullets
Federal 150 Large Pistol Primers, too deep..I prefer CCI 300 primers.
CCI 200 Large Rifle Primer, too shallow...but work as a single shot
Starting the neck expand with the Lyman 44 Mag "M" die
Step one, expanding the neck
Step two, "expanding" the mouth
Excess Black Powder lube also lubes the neck for the crimp
RCBS 44-40 "Cowboy", Lyman 44 Mag "M", RCBS seater, Redding Profile
Ready for the powder charge, 25.2gr of Reloder 7
Funnel used to aid in keeping a consistent weight for the drop
Ready for the bullets
Bullets are finger set in the case mouth
Bullet sits nice and square inside the case mouth
First seat of this batch, 1.601" works well in all my Arms
Ready for the Redding Profile Crimp, BP residual lube still visible
One cartridge crimped and cleaned!
This is the method and powder charge I use to achieve 250-300 yard shots in the Winchester 73' with 6x Malcom scope and retain 900 to 950fps at impact.
The Redding Profile Die does a marvelous job crimping into the soft lead bullet [LEFT] for a nice uniform clean look. The Lee FCD over-works the brass [RIGHT] and causes cracks when using the correct pressure loads.
The 43-214A does not have a crimp groove [LEFT]. Pulled bullet shows the forged crimp groove from use with the Redding Profile Crimp.
The second and third driving bands retain .428" diameter, and the softer lead will expand into the grooves nicely with the correct chamber pressure.
