Tumbling Bullets

[filric48]

I cast some 303 British 185gr and they were hitting the paper sideways, what causes this? I also loaded 150gr copper no problem.

[M27]

could be several things

most common, to heavy of a bullet for the rifling, or not enough velocity

what are you shooting it out of
what powder, how much
what is the rate of twist
at what distance is it tumbeling

[meaty-btz]

Have you slugged your bore? What have you done with your cast boolits? Sized (what size as dropped & what size after sizing)? Paper Patched? Gas Check? Lubed (what kind)? What alloy and BNH?

Hand loads are a precision skill, Lead Casting and Loading is an Art Form.

[filric48]

1916 Lee Enfield Auzzi.

IMR 4198, 21gr

I don't know the twist

50 yard

[GeoffLinder]

Cast lead bullets in most centerfire rifles need gas checks or they will let gas past the bullet while going down the bore. This causes heat erosion of the bullet base and sides as it goes down the bore and can cause this.

Use copper jacketed and you won't have issues AND you won't get lead buildup in the bore either.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_check

[filric48]

No slug, .312 resize to .311, gas check, lino type, Alox.

[meaty-btz]

No slug, .312 resize to .311, gas check, lino type, Alox.

Lead bullets should be .001 to .003 oversized for the bore. This will prevent gas-cutting/leading. I would fire an un-sized bullet and see how it performs but first I would slug your bore. Step 1 for any cast load. Slug your bore. Linotype is a very hard lead (casts to look beautiful) but it does not obdurate as well. Usually Linotype is good for pushing up velocity in a rifle (bullet is less likely to come apart due to rotational velocity). Can you recover you bullets? They actually may be coming apart. Even linotype cannot be driven too fast or the bullet will break up, which may look like tumbling at close range where the bullet is starting to break up and tumble/fragment.

Keep your velocities low to start with. The right size bullet with the right powder and the right alloy and lube will Not need a Gas check. Remember people paper patch bullets for rifles without leading. Properly sized, properly lubed, and fired with the correct powder you should not get "leading".

[GeoffLinder]

Some good info on loading cast bullets for the .303 Lee Enfield.

http://www.303british.com/id37.html

Hope this helps

[meaty-btz]

Some good info on loading cast bullets for the .303 Lee Enfield.

http://www.303british.com/id37.html

Hope this helps

That is a great link.

[bumpo628]

Yep, first thing you should do is slug the bore.
Here are some good tips: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=102629