Cast bullet accuracy

ben hunchak

ben hunchak

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I just read the results of the National Chmp. (CBA) and the results should put to rest the idea that cast bullets are not accurate. Records were set including a 5 shot group at 100yds. of .151", and a record for plain based, breech seated cast bullets of .186" with a .32 Cal. rifle. The overall winner was using a stock Savage .308 and Weaver 36 power scope. i glean through the results as it always shows the Equip. and loads that were used, and gives one a good place to start in developing an accurate load that you can be proud of, as it was your load, your bullet, your shooting.
 
Many folks are terribly misinformed about cast bullet accuracy.
Those of us that understand cast bullet shooting have never given it a second thought !;)
Cat
 
I've got some great groups over the years in a number of calibre's, but a group size of 0.151" and 0.186", that's about 5/32" and 11/64" diameters, at 100yds. Those are phenomenal group sizes, with any bullet. Must be close to world record. I wouldn't mind seeing those targets.
 
Mr Hunchak

..........just when I thought I was doing good with my 3/shots/200 yds of 1.5 inchs with 45/70 cast..........wow thats shootin!!

as an aside, can you advise what the bullet and load were for the .308 plse...might help improve my .308 cast targets....THX

hs4570....................your mileage may vary
 
All I can say is WOW!!! That is amazing. Love to get the link so that I can study the loads. Been trying but I always get fliers. even with the best shots, I am only at 1/2 MOA at 200yds. With the flyers, more like 2MOA.

Anyone have thoughts to share on the 308? Shooting GC WW cast bullets that weight around 200gr (?). Tried H4895, Benchmark, H335 - Win LR, Fed 210M, Fed 215M, and CCI BR2 to no avail.

Douglas XX barrel is capable of shooting in the 2's with jacketed bullets. 12 twist.
Jerry
 
My best .308 groups so far are with Lyman 311332 and 19.5grs of 4759, Ive tried all the usual powders..Varget, AA2015, Benchmark, 4895, RL-7, but I keep coming back to 4759. In the above chmp. some were using N-135,but I can't get it to try it. Another good bullet is 311299 and Saeco #315 these bullets show up in the winners circle, not as much as the moulds from the late Don Eagan. oh yeah....311332 drops at 187grs. with 10-1 mix.
 
Bullets cast by someone who knows what he's doing will consistently beat standard jacketed loads, and will give many benchrest bullets a run for their money. You just aren't going to load to the same velocity as the jacketed, due to the problem of gas cutting and consequent leading of your barrel.
 
X-man said:
Bullets cast by someone who knows what he's doing will consistently beat standard jacketed loads, and will give many benchrest bullets a run for their money.
Some of the accuracy results I've seen are really good but I didn't realize they were quite that good. How do they stack up in some of the longer range competitions VS good quality jacketed bullets? In competition are there records existing where cast bullets results have surpassed their jacketed counterparts?You just aren't going to load to the same velocity as the jacketed, due to the problem of gas cutting and consequent leading of your barrel.
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Wouldn't gas checks eliminate that problem? Or does the application of gas checks actually have an adverse effect on some of the more 'pin point' accuracy results? Also, is there a preference for any specific lube? Is there something that 'works' better, in rifles, handguns and at specific ranges of velocity?
 
Many competitions prohibit the use of gas checks - BPCR silouette for example.

I use black powder with my cast bullets, and a basewad made of poly or vegatable gasket to protect the base of the bullet.
Cat
 
Most Black Powder shoots prohibit gas checks as they are not needed for black and not period correct.....the competitors in the CBA matches all use gas check bullets for best accuracy and vels. up to 2200fps...the plain base breech seat class is a diff. story as they don't use gas checks and seat bullet into the rifling ahead of a charged case, vels. here run closer to 1300fps. Breech seating has been in use since the 1800s, when brass cases were first introduced.
 
hs4570 said:
..........just when I thought I was doing good with my 3/shots/200 yds of 1.5 inchs with 45/70 cast..........wow thats shootin!!

hs4570....................your mileage may vary
Click to expand...

I've got a Marlin 1895 that I'm planning to start casting for and with your results I feel like I should be picking your brain. I've done some reading about casting but I have no experience. Got any suggestions on how to get good cast loads for informal shooting and hunting?

Chuck
 
chuck

My rifle is a ruger #3 single shot 45/70.........for cast load development at the range, it carries an inexpensive 6-24 X Tasco Mildot scope ($100).......and a 3x9 scope when hunting with the load.....

The load I'm referring to is a LEE mold, 500 gr with gas check useing wheel weights and water quenched......24.0 Grains A2400 powder....cotton tuft filler and unsized 500 gr cast on top.....all in Winchester case and win.L R Primer....

Velocity averages 1290 fps. for 5 shots....

500 Grain bullets are usually not suitable for lever actions as the overall ctg. length inhibits the proper feeding in Marlins ......

Useing FILLERS to take up the air space between powder and bullet is not recommended any more by the Experts as it "may" lead to barrel ringing.....
but it works for me......

I cast my own in all calibers and can't comment on Cast bullets purchased from Commercial casters.......

......and for loads for most 45/70 's ....without fillers...

I have accurate loads useing round ball,...wadcutter at 180 -200 grains,.. 220 gr RNose, .. 45 M Loader sabot loaded useing 180 and 200 gr (,357). ..350 Cast,..400 cast..and 500 cast to 1500 fps....shotloads..and of course the usual jacketed..

If you have any questions just PM me.....will try to assist in the never ending Cast bullet learning curve...


hs4570.........your mileage may vary
 
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hs4570 said:
My rifle is a ruger #3 single shot 45/70.........for cast load development at the range, it carries an inexpensive 6-24 X Tasco Mildot scope ($100).......and a 3x9 scope when hunting with the load.....

The load I'm referring to is a LEE mold, 500 gr with gas check useing wheel weights and water quenched......24.0 Grains A2400 powder....cotton tuft filler and unsized 500 gr cast on top.....all in Winchester case and win.L R Primer....

Velocity averages 1290 fps. for 5 shots....

500 Grain bullets are usually not suitable for lever actions as the overall ctg. length inhibits the proper feeding in Marlins ......

Useing FILLERS to take up the air space between powder and bullet is not recommended any more by the Experts as it "may" lead to barrel ringing.....
but it works for me......

I cast my own in all calibers and can't comment on Cast bullets purchased from Commercial casters.......

......and for loads for most 45/70 's

I have accurate loads useing round ball,...wadcutter at 180 -200 grains,.. 220 gr RNose, .. 45 M Loader sabot loaded useing 180 and 200 gr (,357). ..350 Cast,..400 cast..and 500 cast to 1500 fps....shotloads..and of course the usual jacketed..

If you have any questions just PM me.....will try to assist in the never ending Cast bullet learning curve...


hs4570.........your mileage may vary
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I still have some cotten tuft I can use for filler but I prefer the other medium you put me on to. You made a convert out of me.:D Similar to the brand you had, I use Stopdraft Backer rod. Cut to size it works better than my old cotten tuft and easier to keep uniform from round to round. When the snow leaves, we'll have to get out fort a shoot.:)
 
John

Yea.....the closed cell foam rod works best but ........I try to stay away from any filler talk for Cast on this forum......the "reversed gas check " feed back cured me of that......hence the PM method if some one wants to know has worked for me........

hs4570...............your mileage may vary
 
hs4570 said:
Yea.....the closed cell foam rod works best but ........I try to stay away from any filler talk for Cast on this forum......the "reversed gas check " feed back cured me of that......hence the PM method if some one wants to know has worked for me........

hs4570...............your mileage may vary
Click to expand...

Yes, I know what you mean. Just remember, a closed mind is a terrible thing. Your recommendation for a filler medium has worked better than anything I've tried to date.:) Next time I'm at Home Depot I'll have to pick up some more. I have a few light cast loads I want to try in my .45-70 Guide model.
 
Johnn Peterson said:
I still have some cotten tuft I can use for filler but I prefer the other medium you put me on to. You made a convert out of me.:D Similar to the brand you had, I use Stopdraft Backer rod. Cut to size it works better than my old cotten tuft and easier to keep uniform from round to round. When the snow leaves, we'll have to get out fort a shoot.:)
Click to expand...

What is this stuff?

Chuck
 
Chuck said:
What is this stuff?

Chuck
Click to expand...
What I'm using is a product made by Tago called Stopdrafts, purchased at Home Depot. It's a round, very porous foam backer rod used for household caulking & sealant applications and comes in a few different diameters. What I do is measure the distance from the top of the powder charge to the top of the case, minus the length of the bullet from the base to crimping area which gives me the amount of space to use filler in. I then cut the foam rod to that length. To get closer to the required diameter, I cut out a wedge shape slice length wise. This has proven to be considerably more uniform than the cotten tufts I used previously. In addition the only indication a filler is being used is a small 'puff of dust' when a shot is taken. Where I have noticed the biggest benefit is the improvement in shot to shot consistency when using light loads with some of the faster burning powders.
 
Heavy loads that i use in my '95, with hardcast 480gr. WFN GC use enough of powders, AA2015, H-335, RL-7, so that there is little or no airspace and fillers are not necessary.
 
ben hunchak said:
Heavy loads that i use in my '95, with hardcast 480gr. WFN GC use enough of powders, AA2015, H-335, RL-7, so that there is little or no airspace and fillers are not necessary.
Click to expand...
True enough, with heavy loads, but when I find filler to be a benefit is, as I previously mentioned, "when using light loads with some of the faster burning powders".
 
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