Shooting Cast Bullets From A Rem 700 Varmint Laminate .308 Winchester At 100 Yards

[dthunter]

Hi guys, I thought I would share a little fun I had today.

I was experimenting with making my own bullets and Brass Gaschecks from 0.010" & 0.015" thick shim stock.
I wanted to see if the thicker gascheck would shoot better than the thinner one at higher pressures.

Seems like there is not much difference at these charges yet.
I will try 46.0, & 47.0 grains of IMR4831 next.
My goal is to reach/surpass the velocities & Accuracy that I previously achieved from Copper Hornady Factory Gaschecks. Around 2350-ish feet per second.

All Shots are at 100Yards

I am very pleased with the results so far!

The targets have a lower target diamond that has a 1/2" white center for reference.

Hope your guys like the post.

 

[Northman999]

Good stuff. Keep the information coming!

I was able to get 2400 fps with my 303 Brit ( new 5 groove barrel, Lee 185gr, cast with WW, quenched in ice water, aluminum GC and alox lube) without any leading, with the same 47 grains of IMR 4831, but accuracy at that level was terrible.

41 grains of H4350 with the same bullets (right around 2100 fps) was very accurate; again, with no leading.

I'd be very interested to see how far you get with your gas checks, in terms of high velocity and accuracy.

 

[dthunter]

I will probably head out to do some shooting on the weekend.
If the brass checks act like the copper Hornady ones, I should be able to get under 1.5" at 100, and 2400 ish fps. Keep my fingers crossed! Lol!

Thanks for the reply, nobody else seems to be interested in this stuff anymore!

 

[hickstick_10]

What sort of alloy are you shooting?

 

[dthunter]

Straight wheel weights (18 lbs)+8ft of 50/50 lead/tin solder (this is one pot of alloy for my casting).
Air cooled.

 

[7mmlefty]

Good work DT hunter.
Ive had some interest in shooting cast since reloading for a 44-40 and a 38-55. Im impressed with youre velocities and accuracy.. I've been schooled to believe you would get serious leading in the barrel past 1400 to 1500 fps using cast bullets.

 

[Homesteader]

I've been schooled to believe you would get serious leading in the barrel past 1400 to 1500 fps using cast bullets.

Hence the gas checks I believe.

 

[ton45-II]

Do you have pics of your DIY brass gas checks? I'm curious to see how they look and how you made them.

 

[dthunter]

I will post a few pictures soon.

I make the gaschecks with a tool called a "FreecheckII".
I ordered it from the US. No problem getting it across the border.

1.) I take the Die body, insert a brass strip into the die slot.

2.) insert the punch/cutter into the Die body, then Take a small brass hammer and tap the punch head. (this punches the round brass disk free of the strip and holds it for the next operation)

3.) I then insert the gas check punch rod and tap it untill the gascheck falls out the bottom of the die. Its real easy.

I will get those pictures soon for you.