Cast bullets

[charlie b]

So, wondered who in here is shooting cast bullets besides PhilC and myself. I know we might get Fuj hooked on this too.

If any interest I'll post up some of my stuff.

[Iowa Fox]

Post away charlie. I have been shooting them for 50 years and enjoy them.

[Robinhood]

may be something we all need to know. Bring it.

[BobT]

I have been migrating toward cast bullet friendly cartridges in my specialty pistols for the last few years. I enjoy anything to do with shooting so post away!

[Hylander]

Love cast bullet shooting.
Loaded up some 357 SWC this morning.
I shoot the local silhouette match every month, lots of fun.
Working up a load for my Mini-30 and SKS's.
So far I load cast in:
38/357
45 Acp
45 Colt
44 Mag
38/55
308
30-06
30-30
Mosin 7.62x54
Mini-30 7.62X39
SKS 7.62X39
45/70
Black powder as well.

[Dave Hoback]

Sure… when I was shooting USPSA Limited 10, with a stock SW1911. LOL! But for rifle? No, never.

[charlie b]

Thanks. One of the reasons I chose the .308 when I bought my BVSS was eventually shooting cast in it. I've cast bullets for about 40 years now. Mostly pistol and muzzleloader, but only some rifle, until the last few years. Then I decided to see what I could do with the .308 if I really devoted some effort to it.

I started out with a Lee 180gn mold for the .308 to start experimenting. Early results were surprising to me so I continued. That led me to powder coating bullets. For those who don't know it is a great alternative to the 'normal' lubes. Then I got some more 'serious' molds. I also have a few bullets that I prepare with a lubesizer (RCBS).

After that I went down the cast bullet 'rabbit hole' looking for more accuracy, attempting to get consistent sub-MOA groups. :) In a bit I'll post up some pics as soon as I can find and upload them. Basically I have three velocity ranges I shoot at. Subsonic for fun plinking. Med velocity (~1800fps) for most work out to about 300yd, and high vel (2000fps or a bit more) for 500yd. That's about my limit simply due to the fast twist of the .308 (1-10). A slower twist lets you go to a higher velocity, which would get more range. Another velocity limit is reached somewhere in the 2600-2800fps where some strange things can happen. These are for .30cal bullets. Other dia and twist rates will give different limits.

FWIW, I also worked up some loads for my M1 Garand. I don't shoot it as much but I know I can be relatively accurate with it.

For those who don't know there is also a Cast Bullet Association who run matches across the country. Mostly benchrest with different classes of rifle and pistol.

[charlie b]

Some interesting photos.

One from my last shooting session. Not 'normal' but typical of my better groups.


What a light blue powder coated bullet looks like after going into a sand berm at 200yd. Yes, the powder coat is tough as nails. One of the tests of a PC is to hammer the bullet flat. If the coating comes off or flakes it was a bad batch.


Currently my favorite bullet. Accurate Mold 31-210E. All are powder coated, the clear seems to do better for me. These are 'bore riders' the front section being an interference fit in the bore of the rifle and the first drive band seated into the lands.


Again, one of my last shooting sessions. This is kinda mixed since it is with different scope settings and was a test of different seat depths. The bullet is different, the NOE 310-165 XCB. It is not a bore riding bullet. After the 2R ogive it is tapered from bore to throat dia. It is best when seated into the lands.


Just a sample of a ladder done when I first got the 210gn mold. Yes, I started out trying Varget. Despite being the 'wrong' powder it did pretty good.


Just a sample of what weight sorting does for you. The lighter the bullet the more internal voids it could have. Yes, I toss a lot of bullets back in the pot. :)

[243winxb]

Casting for about 60 years. Pistol mostly. Newest 9mm Luger. Rifles in Win 94 30-30 & 30-06 , 1903 Springfield. Photos- https://www.thehighroad.org/index.ph...b.11944/albums

[Stumpkiller]

Been doing as pure lead as I can find round balls for muzzleloaders for decades, a brief and disappointing try at Lee R.E.A.L. conicals for a .50 cal. . . . but never ventured into centerfire cast bullets.

[GaCop]

I shoot a lot of them (gas checked) in my Bolt action 450 Bushmaster, various handguns and a 308 bolt rifle.

[Fuj']

So, wondered who in here is shooting cast bullets besides PhilC and myself. I know we might get Fuj hooked on this too.

I've been casting pistol wise since the early 70's. Never had the inkling for rifle. But do have
some thoughts on it as of late. Stubby 30's with very little twist is an area I would like to
explore. At last inventory, I have 400 lbs of #2 alloy I put up, and still have 7 original bars
of Lino-type, and a few lbs of bees wax. i would need to do a discovery on gas checks.

[PhilC]

Moved to reloading right place to be.

Cast my first boolit (cast shooter lingo) April 2021, RCBS 44-240-SWC, and have gone a long way since then. Decided to shoot cast with the local CBA chapter and I was hooked. Many thought I was nuts when I decided to use my 6.5CM 12FV with cast, and it was a challenge, until I figured out I was pushing them too hard. Dropped velocity to 1600fps and, when I do my part, can shoot great groups.

Mostly use heat treated Lyman #2 for alloy, sometimes with powder coat. Received 110# lino Friday for $1.45/lb shipped.

[tomme boy]

I got my 308w 1-10tw up to 2500fps using a bullet I designed by NOE. 30 Hunter. I was able to get 1.0 moa up to 2200fps then it went to 1.5 moa up to 2500fps.

My 223 in my AR15 with a 1-8tw I am up to 2600fps at 1 moa. Up to 2800fps at 1.5 moa with the 65gr MP227-65.

My Mosin 9130 I have my bullet design from Accurate 31-215b up to 2300fps at 1.5 moa. If I keep it under 2000fps it will shoot right at 1 moa or less on good days when my eyes are better.

The fast twist is NOT a limiting factor as some like to claim. Old Larry and his "rpm threshold" is all BS. He just likes to use a slow twist because he can't get a fast twist to work. Sure slow is easier but it is not needed.

[charlie b]

I know that when I go over 2100fps with either of the bullets I have used the most, the groups open up, just as yours seem to do. Above 2400fps the 210gn bullet is erratic. FWIW, 2400fps with a 210gn bullet in the .308 is right near max for jacketed at that weight.

Since my goal is MOA or under then I keep the speeds lower with the 1-10 twist.

Why was I pushing the velocity? I wanted to try for MOA at 600yd. I could almost get there at 500yd but the velocity is just barely supersonic. Past 500 they just kind 'scatter' :)

Sent from my SM-P613 using Tapatalk

[PhilC]

Don't need to run them any faster than necessary to punch holes in paper. My goal is sub-MOA groups without frustration and I achieved that at lower velocity in my 6.5CM.

I am quite content with sub-MOA groups @ 100yds shooting cast using simple techniques and processes. Larry's "rpm threshhold" may well be all BS but it worked for me when advice from others who disagreed him didn't.

Posted this in my 7BR topic, results of 10 competitors shooting 30BR at the 2021 CBA nationals suspect they know a thing or two about shooting cast and getting results...

9 of 10 used linotype
8 used Fed 205M, 1 used Win SR and 1 used Win SP
Avg barrel length - 24"
Avg twist - 12
Avg velocity - 1960fps
Avg boolit weight - 194.7gr
All competitors used lube and gas checks
3 used Varget, 2 used A2495, 2 used N135, 1ea used N133, IMR3031, IMR8208

The grand national champion shot a 30BR with a 12T 24" Shilen using 207gr boolit over 29gr A2495, Fed 205M, at a chrono'd velocity of 1750fps.

[charlie b]

Just typical frustration for me with cast. Nice groups with fliers. I am equal opportunity cause I do this with jacketed frequently as well. :)

[PhilC]

See my topic here for more info. 100yds with 6.5CM, 140gr Lyman 266469, shot during match this 10 shot group measured .882".

[Blue Avenger]

always have some .308, .38 S&W .357, .45 and .416 floating around the shop

[charlie b]

Question. Has anyone used moly based lube?

I've been trying some just to see how it does. Will go back to my standard (Ben's Red) to see if there is any performance difference.

[charlie b]

Some may have wondered about my not competing since some of my shooting looks pretty good. This is why. If I shoot a 5 round group I can sometimes get some pretty small ones. But, most competition is more than just 5 rounds. These are both 10 round groups. First round out on one, last round out on the other. Yes, both cases it was due to me lifting my head.




Yes, this is my .308 and both are 100yd, squares are 1/2". I was 'testing' myself and I failed :)

Bullet is the NOE XCB 310-165, lubed with Ben's Red. I was also comparing the performance of small primers (Peterson brass, Fed AR Match) and large primers (Lapua brass, WIN LRP). Both cases have the flash holes drilled out.

[GrenGuy]

If we are trying to improve and shoot smaller groups, we are at least “competing with ourselves “.

If we are not “competing with ourselves”, we are just “plinking”. JMO

Good Shooting charlie !

[charlie b]

Thanks. Yes, I am 'competing with myself'. And losing a lot of the time :)

FWIW, I do plink every now and then as well. Steel plates mostly, but, sometimes I'll set out some soda cans. They explode nicely when hit solid. For cast loads I set them at 300yd. For the 6BR or 308 jacketed loads I'll put them at 500 or 600yd. Nothing like a little challenge, especially if the wind is blowing very much. Every time I hit one I chuckle a bit.