Cast for 308 win and 7.62x39
- Thread starter ghughes
- Start date
If anyone in Southwest Ontario wants to put on a casting clinic I'll provide the lead.
I've got the Lyman cast boollit loading book, Pm me for any specific caliberGotcha, will try that before I start to troubleshoot.
Thanks, found that one and downloaded it. It's a bit of a heavy read, but worth it.
A few points:
- About sizing (or not): Try both … and see if there’s a difference. Thimpo.
- About recipes for “mouse fart” loads: If you have a new powder (700X?) and can’t find a recipe, start with 5 grains and work up. One grain increments should give you a sense of pressure signs. Poor and decreasing accuracy is also a sign that your charges are too high (cast bullets strip through the rifling when they accelerate too fast).
- Different bullets from the same mould?: Yes you can. Put a 170 grain bullet (nose first) in a drill and cut it with a hacksaw. The result is a 100 grain (depending on where you cut) wad cutter.
- About sizing (or not): Try both … and see if there’s a difference. Thimpo.
- About recipes for “mouse fart” loads: If you have a new powder (700X?) and can’t find a recipe, start with 5 grains and work up. One grain increments should give you a sense of pressure signs. Poor and decreasing accuracy is also a sign that your charges are too high (cast bullets strip through the rifling when they accelerate too fast).
- Different bullets from the same mould?: Yes you can. Put a 170 grain bullet (nose first) in a drill and cut it with a hacksaw. The result is a 100 grain (depending on where you cut) wad cutter.
Glad to see that I'm not the only one thinking about this, that others have done it.
I was thinking a jig and a slow speed drill in a press for repeatabley.
I don't suppose a slightly hollow base from the cone of a drill tip would matter much.
I picked up a lyman 311410 130gr but I can't find ballistics for it. Lyman 3rd ed. only goes up to 1600fps, and the 4th has velocity up to 2400fps. If it's suitable I'd use it for deer to 150yds and based on data from jacketed bullets it looks like it should be ok. Is there a source for extended ballistics, or a good estimation tool?
Ted, I think you are in my neck of the woods IIRC. Once I sort my shed your are more than welcome to pop over, I can cover most of what you need.
I got my own lead LOL
If I want 150 grain cast for .308 dia, vs 170 flat nose I push my .311s through my .308 sizing die. So I cast alot of those. I then get the 30 cal 170 flat nosed for the tube mags, .311 150 gr Spitzer type for the .303, and the 30 cals. I'm gas checking now but will be coating in the future.
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- Location
- the chesterfield
There are some good resources available for on Anna's Archive which is a digital library. Lyman 3rd Edition Cast Handbook and the guide to casting by Harrison are on there.
Want to see if I can source the Lyman slug mold, something really worth casting.
