Cast Bullet and Trail Boss loads in my .458 Win Mag

[MS Hitman]

Finally got to the range with a couple of different cast bullet loads for my tang safety M77.

First I tried was a 405 grain bullet with 15.0 grains of Trail Boss, but it is difficult to feed with such a flat point.

Second load was the Lee 500 grain with 13.0 grains of Trail Boss, and fed like a dream.

I am going to work with the 500 grain load and see if I can develop a good plinking load.

Both loads were shot at 50 yards with only bore sighting prior to testing the loads.

 

[Ray B]

For years I have used SR4759 but since its discontinuance I have begun using TrailBoss and have been getting very good results. For the 458 I have been using Oregon Trail bullets and have almost given up casting - almost...

 

[MS Hitman]

For years I have used SR4759 but since its discontinuance I have begun using TrailBoss and have been getting very good results. For the 458 I have been using Oregon Trail bullets and have almost given up casting - almost...

I like to maintain the ability to cast, and having all the equipment doesn't hurt, but I understand what you are saying.

 

[Bullthrower338]

That’s great, thanks for posting! Great plinking load.

 

[ChrisG]

When I did this with my .416 Ruger, I was shooting cast 375 grain bullets. Did your gun sound like a subsonic .45 colt going off? Mine kicked like a .308 and just made a loud *POP* on firing, followed shortly thereafter by the loud, hollow *SMACK* of the bullet hitting the plywood backer down range. It is great fun!

I like trailboss because you simply fill up the case just shy of the bottom of the bullet and that is your maximum load. In most cases it is still subsonic even with really columinous cartridges.

 

[fourfive8]

The only caveat about Trailboss is it is a very fast powder- similar to Bullseye. So it can produce "spikey" pressures under certain circumstances. Its bulk density is such that it is difficult to load enough to get into trouble.... most of the time. It's like loading a big case with a little bit of Bullseye. Just something to be aware of.

I saw mention of 4759. Easy answer for comparable ballistics- internal and external- is 5744. I know it's a little more expensive than 4759 used to be. I had a few pounds of 4759 and after comparing it to 5744, I traded all the 4759 for more 5744. Simplicity is nice.

 

[MS Hitman]

When I did this with my .416 Ruger, I was shooting cast 375 grain bullets. Did your gun sound like a subsonic .45 colt going off? Mine kicked like a .308 and just made a loud *POP* on firing, followed shortly thereafter by the loud, hollow *SMACK* of the bullet hitting the plywood backer down range. It is great fun!

I like trailboss because you simply fill up the case just shy of the bottom of the bullet and that is your maximum load. In most cases it is still subsonic even with really columinous cartridges.

Very little recoil with some noise. Hitting the target board did give a slapping sound. I was pleased to see the bullets were not key holing.

 

[ChrisG]

Very little recoil with some noise. Hitting the target board did give a slapping sound. I was pleased to see the bullets were not key holing.

It makes shooting a big bore really fun. I need to have mountain molds make me a round nose bore riding tangential ogive bullet for the .416 that is about 450 grains.

 

[MS Hitman]

I shoot the RCBS 350 grain cast bullet in my 416 Rigby. Have to use the 200 yard leaf for an 85 yard zero.

 

[ChrisG]

I just whipped this one up quick on Mountain molds website for cast bullet, Trail boss shooting. If you have never been there, it is a fun website to toy around designing your own cast bullet molds

 

[ChrisG]

I shoot the RCBS 350 grain cast bullet in my 416 Rigby. Have to use the 200 yard leaf for an 85 yard zero.

Yeah... trajectory becomes quite a rainbow at 1,050 fps.

 

[CAustin]

Looks like you had a lot of fun at the range. Frankly with a scope and adjustment you would be cutting meat with all those rounds.

 

[MS Hitman]

Looks like you had a lot of fun at the range. Frankly with a scope and adjustment you would be cutting meat with all those rounds.

Sir, I like the way you think. I'm bumping up the charge a bit to see what it does, just because I can.

 

[MS Hitman]

Bumped up the charge to 18.0 of Trail Boss.

 

[Spooksar]

I just cast and powder coated a bunch of 458 round nose to give a try in my 458 Win and Lott

 

[Ray B]

I just cast and powder coated a bunch of 458 round nose to give a try in my 458 Win and Lott

What weight/style did you use? I've had very good results with 500 gr round nose, but I'm looking for info on bullets in the 200-250 weight range for the 458.

 

[Spooksar]

500 gr round nose

 

[neckdeep]

What are some option's for cast 375 bullet's? The Beartooth 255 gr is shaped like a TSX. Anyone tried it out with Trailboss?

 

[Ray B]

I don't have any short (pistol style) cast bullets for the 375, but I have used one designed for the H&H. I forget if it's a Lyman or RCBS, but it's 250 gr (with #2 alloy) and a gas check. The load I generally use is 32 grains IMR 4198 although H would probably be about the same result. I haven't chronographed the load, but it has about the same trajectory as a factory 170 gr 30-30, so I'd guess it's somewhere north of 2000 fps. With Rooster Red or other lube designed for higher pressures/velocities I have very little leading so the load seems good all around.

 

[neckdeep]

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/767381775

I purchased some of these, going to try them with Trailboss and maybe a few full power