Cast bullets...good... now what next?

[PaulT]

Hi guys,

I have been reloading for a couple of years now with commercial components, bullets etc. Now, I tried to cast my own but I understand that the procedures are a bit different compared to reloading with regular brand name bullet like Nosler, SPEER etc

Well, I have cast some 340gr lead bullets for my 45-70. The LEE mold came with the rifle so I figured I'd give it a try and did cast just over 200 bullets.

All the casting went fine and was quite easy.. once the mold is hot.

Now, what is the next step?

1. Do I lube them and load them or is there another step involved?

2. I heard that I might need to sized the bullets before reloading them, so what do I need to do that?

3. Another thing is gas check.. do I need that and what is it exactly?


These will be shot from my Marlin 1895 45-70cal

I have some IMR 4198 that I would like to use so what would you suggest as a load for these 340gr cast bullets?

Thanks to all for any info

 

[kodiak1]

Paul T
Lube yes you do. If you are shooting Black Powder NO PETROLEUM PRODUCTS at all in your lube or you will hate cast bullets, your rifle and your self. If you dont have a Lubesizer you can Lube bullets by pan lubing or if the lube you are useing is soft enough put it on with your fingers.

Sizing you would probably get away with out doing it. You should really know your actual barrel size and this is done by slugging your barrel and measuring the slug.

Gas Checks if you are shooting at less than 1400 to 1600 FPS you do not need gas checks. If you are wanting to shoot faster it is a good Idea to use them. A lot of people don't use them at that speed but you can harm your barrel.

Good luck and have fun also if you aren't sure ask questions. There are guyts on this web site that have tons more know how than me and explain stuff really good.

Ken.

 

[Boomer]

Your newly cast bullet will need to be lubed, and probably sized as the cast diameter is likely larger than your barrel's groove diameter. If you are already using Lee equipment, they make a bullet sizing die which attaches to a normal press, the bullet is placed on the ram and pushed through the die, and into a plastic bin, fed from the bottom. Lee liquid allox allows you to put a handful of bullets in a plastic container - squirt some lube in, shake em up, and presto your bullets are lubed.

A gas check is simply a copper cup which is seated and crimped onto the base of your bullet during the sizing operation. The purpose of the gas check is to protect the base of the bullet from high temperature gases from the burning gun powder. If the bullets are fired over lets say 1500 fps you will experience leading in the barrel. For the .45-70 they will be a good idea.

I would use 35.0rs of 4198 as a starting load in the .45-70 with your 340 gr. bullet - this will give you about 1700 fps. 39.0 grs of 4198 should not be exceeded. By the way this data is for the Marlin rifle.

 

[PaulT]

Gas check...

Hi guys,


Thanks for the info . I will order a LEE sizing die and lube kit and see what dammage I can do..

Gas check

I was looking at the ones from Hornady, if I understand, I just put them when ready to size the bullet and they attach or crimp at the base during the sizing process and they seem to work on all cast bullets even flat based ones.. ... is that it?
Another thing, will any gas check either Hornady or Lyman work with the LEE Bullet sizing die?
And besides the US, where in Canada or Ottawa region can I find some for the 45-70? Forget lebaron.. they don't have them and every ones I could find are accross the border.

Also,

For my rifles, I have some 2pces die set for reloading (sizing and bullet seating) and for my Marlin 45-70, she came with a 3pces die set.. what is the 3rd one for? All my other rifle don't have straight walls so I don't know if it is for crimping or else or... the die numbers are: LEE-45/70-G5 (sizing die), LEE-45/70-B6 (bullet seating die), and LEE-45/70-A6 which I have no clue.

Thanks again guys..

 

[Sticker]

Hi

That third die should be to flair open the case mouth so that your bullets will enter the case and not have lead shaved off.

Hornady gas checks are great. Lyman gas checks fall off easy.

Your .45-70, is that the short barreled bear blaster? Always wanted to try one of those

Sticker

 

[John Y Cannuck]

Not all cast bullets are designed for gas checks. If your bullet has a reduced diameter at the base, you are set, if the base is bore diameter or more, you have what's called a plain base bullet. You can't seat a gas check.
you can still shoot, but velocity without leading will be lower.
There are however, tricks to get around that.
You can use a filler wad between the powder and the bullet base. I like cotton quilt batting myself. It keeps the powder against the primer for better ignition consistency, more velocity, and protects the bullet base from the powder gases, at least to some degree. Using too much is better than using too little filler. Too little and you risk ringing the chamber. Why that happens is a matter for discussion, it's poorly understood. Some reloaders think it's just BS, and not related to fillers at all.
The wieght of the wad must be added to the weight of your bullet for reloading purposes.