Cast-lead in an M14 rifle

degreeszero

degreeszero

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Can one shoot cast-lead bullets in an M14 type rifle without issue and still obtain results close to jacketed ammo? If not, what are the issues with lead in this type of rifle?
 
I shoot a 155gr Gas checked Cast bullet in my m14 all the time. Never have any issues with leading or inaccuracy either. I use wheel weights for them, fyi.
 
I've fired a bunch of cast bullets from my M14. Fun do try, but as was said, if you do it all the time you'll lead your barrel. Also the ones I shot were light loads, they generally wouldn't cycle the action, so it was like an old straight pull bolt gun.
I've also used cast bullets in .303. Good accuracy @100yrds or so, but they drop quickly after since you don't want to load them up like a jacketed bullet.
 
lister said:
as was said, if you do it all the time you'll lead your barrel. Also the ones I shot were light loads, they generally wouldn't cycle the action, so it was like an old straight pull bolt gun.
I've also used cast bullets in .303. Good accuracy @100yrds or so, but they drop quickly after since you don't want to load them up like a jacketed bullet.
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And the logic is, the jacket on the bullet minimizes deformation of the projectile -- so without it you have to restrict power?

Regarding the leading of the barrel, does it make any difference if it is a chromed, stainless or unfinished steel bore? Or are they all the same when it comes to cleaning the lead out?

Finally, are piston driven semi rifles subject to same lead issues as direct impingement AR guns?
 
The M1 carbine is a much lower velocity caliber in a much more easily actuated rifle. I often run cast lead in those too.

In most cases, running lead in an M14 would restrict you to light enough loads (to avoid over-deformation, leading, and key-holing on paper) that the action won;t cycle reliably.

Personally, I would stick to jacketed bullets in an M14.
 
Claven2 said:
The M1 carbine is a much lower velocity caliber in a much more easily actuated rifle. I often run cast lead in those too.

In most cases, running lead in an M14 would restrict you to light enough loads (to avoid over-deformation, leading, and key-holing on paper) that the action won;t cycle reliably.

Personally, I would stick to jacketed bullets in an M14.
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My M1 been's rebuilt by LeMag into a .45WinMag, so I deal with a bit more lead going out at each squeeze of the trigger.
Haven't tried cast in my 305 but I will then try paper patched to see what happen's.
 
If I read one of the forums in the US right one individual doing a test fired 500+ round of cast through a Springfield M1A and ended up cleaning it out only with cloth patch and some cleaning solution

My own results are 100r of cast in a single day and cleaned with a patch with hopps (doing load testing to boot)

My results
150g so-so very picky for powder selection/ action very sluggish with one powder min /max load will eject but might not pick up new round / different powder acting like factory rounds

172g cast gc sluggish with min loads / min load will eject but might not pick up new round
to middle of the road loading working flawlessly
(0.2g increase might be all it takes to get load to function 100%) and still be a low pressure load showing no signs

The trick is you do not load for max velocity you load for fun/cheep accurate loads that function

You can even load cast with accuracy exceeds factory rounds

The most important thing is port pressure (to function op rod)
so you can shoot cast 150g-180g-200g to 1600 to 2200 fps depending on powder, shoot sub 1 inch at 100 and have no damage to your rifle and have it so easy on the shoulder that you wife/ gf will say get your own-> go do something else

Ps I fired 500r before cleaning piston and there was no lead on it

Seating depth can be a problem with some bullet shapes (bullet stuck in chamber when extracting a live round (nose too big)) but will function ok

Powder selection (almost totally different than jacket rounds)

500 yd. shooting is a definite yes possibility and has been done

and cast in the Garand has also been done and
cast in the 7.62x39 has also been done

Dont say it can't be done it just has to be done differently

I even think rifle runs cooler

In the process of redoing some of my previous testing having so much fun no rounds for the crono or 2-300 yards target
 
A lot of good info here.
Lyman has a great cast bullet manual. All the loading info you need.
Edit-I haven't had any gas system leading problems. Clean as per usual.
 
tootall said:
almost too much info at http://castboolits.gunloads.com/

And yes, many guys are running cast in various semis there. The trick is to harden the lead and not to fire it too fast.
Harden the lead by dropping it right out of the mold into water to quench it.
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Many thanks for this link. It lead me to the Corbin site, and the alternative to casting, swaging bullets. Very interesting option for an 'ammo poor' marketplace. Cheers!
 
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