Cast gas check boolits

[AGGRO]

for rifle.

Anyone chrono'd for max velocity, best accuracy for a rifle round?

[cleonard]

There is no easy answer for that without more details.

Generally, you can't drive them as fast as jacketed bullets. Say 2000 fps. That means reduced loads in higher powered calibers. There is no well defined limit. As speeds increase so do lead deposits. Cast bullets can also have strength issues if the rpm's get to high. They can literally spin apart.

There is tons of info out there. There is even an entire forum devoted to cast bullets. There is a good amount of info on this topic here on Calguns. Just search for it.

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[sghart]

for rifle.

Anyone chrono'd for max velocity, best accuracy for a rifle round?

The short answer to your question is: Yes, I have spent the last umpteenth years doing just that.

The long answer would fill a book. That is because you have injected two variables into the equation, namely velocity and accuracy.

The way I approach any cast bullet project is this way:

I load in incremental amounts until I find the highest velocity load IN THAT GUN!! that doesn't present leading, etc. At this stage I don't worry about accuracy.

When I know the upper limit I then start down the same scale until I find a load that is accurate.

This process is time consuming and taxes your reloading supplies. That is because there are several variables within sub-categories. Different OAL's, different powders, primers, different bullets and bullet weights.

To get started I would find ONE cast bullet that fit my gun. Pick ONE powder that you will stick with. Find your velocity ceiling then download for accuracy.

Write it down!!


The general answer to your question is that I can push most loads to 2400 fps. But I lose accuracy over 1800 fps in most rifles.

[Carcassonne]

The harder the lead the more pressure it can take and the faster it can be driven. There is a formula in the LEE reloading manual. People have been using cast bullets in the 30-06 for a long time.


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[noylj]

The gas check eliminates some of the alloy issues.
There are no hard numbers.
Velocity depends on the size of the bullet, the alloy, the lube, the twist rate, and, I assume, other issues.
So, to have any way to answer the question, the variables must be defined and, even then, I doubt any one could give you any hard numbers.
I shoot an alloy that runs about 13 BHN with gas checks in my 7mm TCU, .30-30, and .30-06. Never worried about velocity, as none would be shot over about 300 yards--just worried about accuracy.

[stilly]

for rifle.

Anyone chrono'd for max velocity, best accuracy for a rifle round?

I have not but I am gearing up some .308/.303/.7.62 boolits.

I will GC a few but not all and I plan to PC them which will let me take them to about 3300 FPS, although they will not going that fast, maybe more like 2500-2900 FPS.

Depending on what my recovered pills look like, I MIGHT harden them up (bake them for an hour at about 450deg and then immediately drop them into cold water and let them dry and sit for about 2 weeks.) This works with 4% antimony or more only though, not pure lead. I once published a guide that had that info in it...

GC makes the lead not so easily cut by hot gasses. This includes PC. But I dunno how hard it is needed to be to overcome the GC of the regular charges. PC should be okay...

[AGGRO]

Appreciate the feedback. I've got a certain gun I'd like to cast for. 8 x 56R. The ammo is extremely expensive and hard to find. I'm learning a little bit every day.

[sghart]

Appreciate the feedback. I've got a certain gun I'd like to cast for. 8 x 56R. The ammo is extremely expensive and hard to find. I'm learning a little bit every day.

Then you certainly want to reload for it and you certainly want to cast also.

I am not familiar with rifles in that particular caliber so I can't offer any suggestions on molds. If you are comfortable slugging your barrel that would be a good start.

You can go on the Castboolits forum and ask the guys there if they cast for that caliber.

The guys here and the readers over there are both helpful and they are a fountain of info.

I would definitely stick with gas check molds. I have a few plain based molds and the velocity on those is limited.

Lastly, until you have the stuff to cast you can search around for a source of cast bullets for sale. There are several. I occasionally use Maplewood bullets. He is a small operation (in Vermont I think) and he has a big selection of molds. He will cast, size, gas check and lube 100 bullets for you at a very reasonable price.

Keep us posted on your progress.


Steve in N CA

[Pablo5959]

I don't play the (take as high as you can game). Cleaning lead out of a rifle is no fun.
Gas check all and keep the speed around <1800fps.
Powder coat helps but if you want jacket speeds.... shoot jacket.

[Carcassonne]

worth reading

http://www.sixguns.com/crew/castbullet.htm

http://www.lasc.us/ArticleIndex.htm

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