375 H&H cast boolit load data & Swaging projectiles from brass cases

[Ganderite]

Cast bullets can be loaded for good accuracy. Because they are cheap, you can go to the range with 100 of them and practice shooting standing and sitting; and shooting sitting off both shoulders. You become a much better off hand shooter for hunting then you ever would be if you were shooting $2.00 a shot ammo.

See if you can get a cheap lee or Lyman mold for a heavier, round nose bullet. This should be accurate and have more recoil, so as to be a better surrogate for a real load. I don't make my own bullets any more, but if I did, I would powder coat them.

 

[jethunter]

I don't think I can realistically push the kind of lead I have past 1600. I have several hundred pounds of range lead that I stiffen up with a very very limited supply of Linotype. BN usually comes out at 10/11 for the range lead, with the Lino I can stiffen it to 15/16. That said, I have 4198, 3031 & 4831 on hand. So the info is appreciated!

You need gas checks to reliably get cast bullets much past 1500-1600 fps. Or powder coat.

Easy to heat treat your BHN 14-16 bullet to get to BHN 20-ish.

A BHN 20 gas checked bullet with good carnauba lube can do +2000 fps fairly easily if the bullet fits well (.001-.002" oversize) and you choose the right powder. Using a slightly slower powder than what would be optimum with jacketed bullets can often allow you to get more bullet speed without leading.

I have used 55 gr of IMR3031 in the 375H&H with a 300gr cast bullet for 2100 fps.
Also 60gr of IMR4064 to get 2150 fps with the same bullet.