Author Topic: Cast Bullets and Ported Barrels: Fact or Fiction (Read 1270 times)

.308 · « **on:** December 13, 2004, 08:38:09 PM »

I have two Model 44's, one is a 6 1/2" blue steel the other is a 4" S/S. All I have shot in either are jacketed bullets because a friend told me shooting cast bullets would foul the ports, fact or fiction? If this is a fact would a gas check make any difference? Sure would be great if what he told me were fiction since I have several excellent .44 moulds. Thanks in advance.

Lamar...

DirtyHarry · « **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2004, 08:54:45 PM »

I shoot hard casts out of my RB's quite often with no problems at all.....

unspellable · « **Reply #2 on:** December 14, 2004, 02:28:01 AM »

I've had lead fouling in the compensator on my 22. It's no big deal, I just keep an eye on it and clean it out at appropriate intervals. The lead does not seem to adhere all that tightly like it would in the barrel proper. I can often pick it out in little chunks with a toothpick.

jgalar · « **Reply #3 on:** December 14, 2004, 03:08:52 AM »

The only ported gun I own is a Taurus 38spl model 85. I have only fired lead bullets through it. You will get some lube goo in the ports, but I don't think you could fire enough rounds through the gun to actually plug up the ports. An old toothbrush and solvent cleans it up OK.

.308 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 14, 2004, 02:38:11 PM »

Thanks ya'll, that's good news. I have several .44 moulds, a full wadcutter that I am especially anxious to try. Have a couple with gas checks I thought about trying, but wanted some input from some of you who have experience first. :oops: Here I go full speed ahead.

Thanks again,
Lamar

Gun Runner · « **Reply #5 on:** December 14, 2004, 05:12:46 PM »

.308, is that wadcutter the 208 gr mould? If so they make nice round holes in water filled milk jugs and anti-freeze containers, it just blows the crap out of the back of them. :grin: I had one of the moulds years ago but dont remember what load I was using. Will look around my stuff and see ifin I can find it. As for shooting lead in a ported gun, my 10" ruger was magna ported and I used to get a lite build up of lead at the ports. An old gun smith said to smear a little breakfree around the port and it would wipe right off. My gun smith ported my 1895ss, he then back bored the bbl a couple of thousandth, have never gotten an lead on the ports. All I shoot in it is home made cast.

Gun Runner

.308 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 15, 2004, 08:43:25 AM »

Quote from: Gun Runner

.308, is that wadcutter the 208 gr mould? If so they make nice round holes in water filled milk jugs and anti-freeze containers, it just blows the crap out of the back of them. :grin: An old gun smith said to smear a little breakfree around the port and it would wipe right off.

Gun Runner

Yep, it's the Lee 208 gr. full wadcutter, with Unique powder for starters. Should cut a clean hole, the Lee 240 semi-wadcutter sure does from my SBH. I love shooting milk jugs, coke bottles/cans filled with water, talk about a moving target. :eek: Thanks for the breakfree tip, I'll give it a try.

Lamar...

dakotashooter2 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2004, 04:15:39 PM »

No clogging in the ports of my 450 but I sure get buildup on the sides of my front sight.

.308 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 21, 2004, 05:39:35 AM »

Quote from: dakotashooter2

No clogging in the ports of my 450 but I sure get buildup on the sides of my front sight.

Yep, same here. :cry: Ain't a big thing, a little solvent and if that don't get it all I use the lead cloth to get what's left.

I tried the 208 gr. wadcutters, next will be the semi's with a gas check. BTW, this 4 inch mod. 44 is an awesome revolver, both to shoot and it's looks.

txpete · « **Reply #9 on:** December 22, 2004, 11:58:21 AM »

all I shoot out of my 41 mag tracker is lead(210 gr swc) no problems so far with the ports but the sides of the front sight are a tad black :shock: .I guess lots of 2400 will do that :grin:
pete

dakotashooter2 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 23, 2004, 09:51:39 AM »

I actually like the black carbon residue on my front sight . At first I cleaned it up but it makes the front sight more visible with no glare.

.308 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 03, 2005, 09:40:58 AM »

Quote from: dakotashooter2

I actually like the black carbon residue on my front sight .

Mr. dakotashooter2, If all that was on my front sight was powder residue I wouldn't worry one bit, but mine has a splattering of lead on it too and it can be tough to get off. Someone somewhere mentioned using gas checks up-side down on plain based bullets, wish they would mention it again and I would save what they said this time. :oops:

Hope everyone came through the Holidays safe and sound. What about those folks poor in S. Asia? The ones that survived need all the help they can get just to stay alive.

Later,
Lamar

dakotashooter2 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 06, 2005, 07:41:39 AM »

I use a razor blade to remove the lead on the side of my sights. It usually peels off quite easily in one chunk. Almost like cleaning something of teflon.

.308 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 07, 2005, 03:28:28 AM »

Quote from: dakotashooter2

I use a razor blade to remove the lead on the side of my sights. It usually peels off quite easily in one chunk. Almost like cleaning something of teflon.

Excellent, I'll give that a try next time.

Thanks,
Lamar