LBT WFN Bullets

[WrongHanded]

I'm working up a couple new loads. A .44 Mag 300gr LBT WFN-GC (Lead Bullet Technologies, Wide Flat Nose - Gas Checked), actual weight approximately 309gr. And a .41 Mag 220gr LBT WFN-GC, actual weight approximately 229gr. Alliant 2400 is my powder of choice.

Both are from Montana Bulletworks. I had a little trouble with the .41 Mag bullets, which I ordered in .411" dia only to find they didn't chamber because they didn't fit the cylinder throats. Fortunately, after a phone conversation with Bruce at MBW (who was very helpful and pleasant, btw) I learned they size to the throat rather than .001" over bore diameter. I sent them back and he was kind enough to resize them free of charge. I've not shot them yet, but they chamber now.

The .44 Mag load is one I've been working on a little more. I actually just replaced my SBH's front sight with one for a 7-1/2" .45LC Blackhawk because I was bottomed out on the rear sight and still hitting 6" or so high. So I have some more of those to test too. Accuracy has not been great off the bench at 25yds but I think a little more powder may tighten it up some. And honestly, the sight issue probably had something to do with it. The limitations of this shooter cannot be ignored either.

My main question is about crimp, because the LBT design has a very different crimp groove to the LSWCs (Lead Semi-WadCutters) I've been shooting regularly. If anyone has experience loading this style of bullet, your input would be appreciated.



.44 mag on the left, .41 mag on the right.

The .44s are new brass. The .41s are once (maybe twice) fired brass as I'm just working up from the suggested starting load, and the first 30 bullets are the ones I loaded before I pulled them to be resized. I only mention that because the crimps do look a little different, but I used what felt to be a similar pressure with each. Both are crimped with Lee FCDs (Factory Crimp Dies).

Once I get the loads to group decently for me, I'll finally run them over my new chrono.

 

[murf]

crimp to the bottom of the groove. try not to crimp too much and shave brass. suggest at least .004" bullet/neck tension.

luck,

murf

 

[WrongHanded]

crimp to the bottom of the groove.

Do you mean to increase the crimp until the neck of the case is tight into the groove? The crimp groove on these bullets is pretty deep, and I don't think my crimp die will get the mouth of the case that far in. Based on the bullets I pulled for resizing, I've had enough crimp pressure to slightly round the edge of the bullet directly below the groove.

In addition to that, I have tried seating the bullet to a reduced depth where the case mouth does not reach the top edge of the crimp groove. But, then when I go to crimp, the crimp die seems to push the bullet down into the case until the upper edge of the groove catches on the case mouth. This does seem to make them quite consistent though.

try not to crimp too much and shave brass.

This has been an issue I've experienced with LSWCs, but not with the LBT WFN design. So I suppose that's a good thing.

suggest at least .004" bullet/neck tension.

Do you mean a .004" reduction in diameter at the mouth of the case in comparison to the bullet diameter? I haven't measure that, but I will.

 

[murf]

here is my sbh and the lbt load for it:

here is the lbt cartridge:

here is how i fixed the front sight problem with these loads:

i had some extra bedding compound mixed up and decided to raise my front sight. file to fit!

murf

 

[murf]

Do you mean to increase the crimp until the neck of the case is tight into the groove? The crimp groove on these bullets is pretty deep, and I don't think my crimp die will get the mouth of the case that far in. Based on the bullets I pulled for resizing, I've had enough crimp pressure to slightly round the edge of the bullet directly below the groove.

In addition to that, I have tried seating the bullet to a reduced depth where the case mouth does not reach the top edge of the crimp groove. But, then when I go to crimp, the crimp die seems to push the bullet down into the case until the upper edge of the groove catches on the case mouth. This does seem to make them quite consistent though.



This has been an issue I've experienced with LSWCs, but not with the LBT WFN design. So I suppose that's a good thing.



Do you mean a .004" reduction in diameter at the mouth of the case in comparison to the bullet diameter? I haven't measure that, but I will.

yes. you can measure this post-seating by measuring the case diameter at the bullet and just below the bullet. the difference is the tension. the heavy bullets need a lot of tension to keep heavy recoil from pulling them out of the case.

luck,

murf

 

[WrongHanded]

here is my sbh and the lbt load for it: View attachment 818971

here is the lbt cartridge: View attachment 818972

here is how i fixed the front sight problem with these loads: View attachment 818973

i had some extra bedding compound mixed up and decided to raise my front sight. file to fit!

murf

Nice improvisation on the front sight!

Yeah, your crimp looks more like I expected mine to be. Are you using a separate crimp die? If so, what is it? I just can't seem to get that result with my Lee FCDs.

 

[murf]

i use the standard seating die. i strongly suggest seating and crimping separately. first, read the directions on your standard seating die. follow the directions for separate crimp. adjust the die body down, in small steps, until the case rim is at the bottom of the crimp groove. don't go too far or you will either crush the bullet, or shave off lead and brass. it is important to get this crimp all the way down. bullets jumping crimp are not accurate and can tie up the gun.

murf

p.s. i also suggest you trim all cases to the same length. if you are making "fire breather" loads, everything needs to be the same.