Those are some impressive groups. Haven't taken my cast out past 25 yards(SKS and 45Colt in H&R Survivor)but looking forward to hitting up the longer ranges with the Mosins and K31s. So far I'm happy(as I recall) with my groups thus far and believe I'll be happy with my groups farther out as well.
casting your own bullets, which are the best to cast
- Thread starter StiffDrink
- Start date
I have shot my .308 cast bullets out to 1000 yards as well. They group around 2-1/2 MOA though.
Between 800- 900yds, they maintain accuracy equal to or under 1-1/2 to 2 MOA'ish.
Cast are way more capable than most realise. Its all about fit/ appropriate lube/ barrel twist rate/ well formed (cast) bullets/bullet alignment to bore/ and a powder choice that doesnt create damage to a cast bullet during initial acceleration.
Precision shooting with cast bullets is a real challenge at times. But soooo fun!
Between 800- 900yds, they maintain accuracy equal to or under 1-1/2 to 2 MOA'ish.
Cast are way more capable than most realise. Its all about fit/ appropriate lube/ barrel twist rate/ well formed (cast) bullets/bullet alignment to bore/ and a powder choice that doesnt create damage to a cast bullet during initial acceleration.
Precision shooting with cast bullets is a real challenge at times. But soooo fun!
Either he got a "bad" mold (not likely) or just plain out does not know what he is talking about. I would not listen to this advise. Lee molds can work GREAT even if you have a sub-par understanding of casting. I use lyman, lee, RCBS and Seaco molds and love the cost and efficiency of the lee's!
Lee, Lyman, RCBS are all reasonably good quality molds but certainly nothing special. The biggest quality issue with all of these is that some of them throw bullets that are just slightly smaller than optimal diameter. The cherries (tool used to cut the mold) wear with use and make smaller cavities as they wear down. These makers will keep using the cherries past their optimal size with the result that the cavities they cut are smaller than they should be. If you get a mold than has been cut with a fresh cherry then it will be fine but if you are unlucky enough to get a mold that was cut with an old cherry then you SOL. You can size a bullet down, but it's really hard to size it up. 
For better quality molds you need to move up a notch to MP Molds, Accurate Molds, NOE Molds. They are head and shoulders better quality then any RCBS, Lyman. or Lee.
For better quality molds you need to move up a notch to MP Molds, Accurate Molds, NOE Molds. They are head and shoulders better quality then any RCBS, Lyman. or Lee.
Incidently, you can improve a mould that is moulding bullets slightly under size. This process is called "BEAGELING".
The resulting bullet ends up a few thou bigger, but is very slightly out of round. That issue can mostly be adjusted for when lube/sizing. This will make the bullet more concentric again.
Some guys like to do it, some dont.
You can find out how to do this "BEAGELING", On the cast boolets web site.
The resulting bullet ends up a few thou bigger, but is very slightly out of round. That issue can mostly be adjusted for when lube/sizing. This will make the bullet more concentric again.
Some guys like to do it, some dont.
You can find out how to do this "BEAGELING", On the cast boolets web site.
Bassmaster
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- WMU 48 - Whitetail country
Lee, Lyman, RCBS are all reasonably good quality molds but certainly nothing special. The biggest quality issue with all of these is that some of them throw bullets that are just slightly smaller than optimal diameter. The cherries (tool used to cut the mold) wear with use and make smaller cavities as they wear down. These makers will keep using the cherries past their optimal size with the result that the cavities they cut are smaller than they should be. If you get a mold than has been cut with a fresh cherry then it will be fine but if you are unlucky enough to get a mold that was cut with an old cherry then you SOL. You can size a bullet down, but it's really hard to size it up.
For better quality molds you need to move up a notch to MP Molds, Accurate Molds, NOE Molds. They are head and shoulders better quality then any RCBS, Lyman. or Lee.
I agree with all of this, but for someone wanting to try out casting without spending a fortune only to find out they don't like it, LEE is the way to go....don't give a rats Azz what anyone says
Thanks for the correction, I owe ya one
If you need any casting tips feel free to pm me!Seriously though some people are rather ignorant about cast bullets all together. I can't remember where but I read it was hard to get the action to cycle on an SKS using cast bullets. Completely ridiculous what some people try to pass off as knowledge.
Agreed. I like Lee molds, there is nothing wrong with them. They make good bullets.
I've cast a bucket full of 155 gr .312" bullets to load in 7.62x39. I have everything gathered up except loading dies, and they should be here any day. Then we'll see how they work in an SKS.
I've done some paper patching on .577 snider bullets recently. It's a little bit of work but it seems to do the trick.
Only problem with paper patching is it can be very hard on the bore.
I must say that I love to shoot cast!! I shoot cast more often then not in all of my military rifles. It helps me keep powder in stock here as I shoot way more then I should.
"...I dont really beleave it..." That be 'believe'? That's daft. You need to read a reloading manual. What do you think the .30-30 was loaded with in 1894?
Cast bullets out of any cf firearm just run at lower velocities. Drive 'em too fast and you'll get leading.
Cast bullets out of any cf firearm just run at lower velocities. Drive 'em too fast and you'll get leading.
Boolitcaster
CGN Regular
- Location
- Vancouver Island
I really like shooting paper patched bullets. I lube my bullets with a light coat of lube prior to final sizing and I believe that this makes a big effect on how much friction will be generated in the bore. I can start my pp load development with published low end loads intended for jacketed bullets. My Ruger #1 in 303 loves my paper patched loads and has probably shot close to 1000. The bore still looks like new (and without any lead or copper fouling).
Been happy with the 150gn 309s(bought for the K31s) in my SKS. A tad undersized but seem to shoot pretty well and will serve til the 311 mold comes in.
