200gr GC cast lead in Lee-Enfield and Mosin-Nagant

[762Russian]

Needing some input on starter loads for both a Mosin-Nagant and an old Lee-Enfield. I have a 400-count of 200 grain gas-checked cast lead rolling my way, and both my old war-guns love the .313 width.

Problem is the Hodgdon website doesn't acknowledge the heavy lead in their recipes. I am going to be working on some reduced loads of IMR4198 with wadding for plinking fun and the occasional gopher murder, but I'd also like to toy with full-power loads and would appreciate input from those wiser in this matter.

 

[SKS50]

If you want more powder/bullet options get yourself a copy of the Lyman Cast Bullet Manual #3 or #4. Other than Lyman manuals,the majority of powder mfg. web sites and reloading manuals have very limited or no data at all on cast bullet loads.

Lyman #49 200 gr. GC cast

7.62 x 54r

IMR-4198 Min: 20.0 grs. MV:1497 Max: 32.5 grs. MV:2108

Alliant 2400 Min: 16.0 grs. MV:1456 Max: 22.0 grs. MV:1779

303 British

IMR-4198 Min: 21.0 grs. MV:1565 Max: 28.0 grs. MV:1946

Alliant 2400 Min: 15.5 grs. MV:1404 Max: 20.0 grs. MV:1713

No filler is needed with these loads especially the Alliant 2400 which is the powder I use in 90 % of all my cast bullet military rifle loads. In general 16.0 grs. 2400 always produces the best accuracy however you have some latitude to play with.

50 yds. five shot test group from my Mosin M44

 

[762Russian]

Brilliant, thanks very much.

 

[Northman999]

I've been using IMR 4831 for Lee 185 gr cast gc in 303, and I've got some 200gr loaded, but not tested yet. With the 185's I was getting 2200 fps on the button with 45 grains and magnum primer, and no leading. I was testing IMR 4831 as I had heard that slower powders tend to give less leading, and I've also used it with jacketed bullets as well.

 

[gpracer]

I have a bunch of these bullets too, I sized them to .314 and use trail boss powder. 14.5 in the 303 and 16 in the 7.62 R

+1 on getting the lyman manual, its great!