Tell me if this sounds crazy...

Iceblood

Iceblood

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Hi everyone I'm still somewhat new to reloading and the shooting disciplines, and I want to work up a load for my tc encore in .308.
My problem is this: Common reloading supplies such as projectiles and powders are hard to find in these parts, especially after the big scare in the US.
So I have to use what I can get my hands on.

I have 165 grn cast round nose bullets from bullet barn (no gas checks)
For powder, I have vihtavouri N 135.
For data, I have nothing.

That's right, all the reloading manuals I have don't have any recipes for cast bullets! The internet told me to use red dot.
Through some interpolation, I have determined that 32 grains of N135 is a good start.

But I could be wrong and don't want to take any chances! Does this recipe sound reasonable or will my #### fall off?
 
I would probably start at 29 or possibly 30 grains of N135.
If those cast bullets have no gas checks, velocities need to be kept low [under 16/1700]
There is no danger of "SEE" with this powder, so a lesser charge should be fine.
Watch for any signs of leading.
Regards, Eagleye.
 
"...the reloading manuals I have don't have..." Those powder or bullet maker's books? None of those will have cast bullet data since they don't make cast bullets. The Lyman book does though. Mind you, a cast 165 isn't common.
"...Internet is your friend..." That'd be jacketed data. Cast bullets cannot use it. Drives the bullet too fast and will cause leading.
"...have determined that..." How did you determine that?
There's 167 grain cast bullet data on Load data.com, but they want you to pay for it. Lyman puts out a cast bullet manual too.
 
Iceblood said:
I have 165 grn cast round nose bullets from bullet barn (no gas checks)
For powder, I have vihtavouri N 135.
For data, I have nothing.

That's right, all the reloading manuals I have don't have any recipes for cast bullets! The internet told me to use red dot.
Through some interpolation, I have determined that 32 grains of N135 is a good start.
Click to expand...

Yes it's a good start.
If Bullet Barn is useing hardcast alloy (92/6/2) at 16-18BHN then those bullets should be good close to 2000fps or so even without GC IMHO.
I think that 32gr of N135 behind 165gr cast bullet will create about 18 000psi and 1300-1400fps.
Make sure that dia of the bullet is at least .309".
For that kind of loads you can use large pistol primers and packed toilet tissue for possible better accuracy.
Also beneficial to accuracy is when the bullet is touching the rifling.
 
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An extremely cheap and very accurate load with cast bullets can be made up with 13 (thirteen) grains of Red Dot shotgun powder.

No filler is necessary. Just use regular Rifle primers. Same load works well with 180 CAST bullets also.

This load is NOT for Jacketed Bullets.

You get 538 rounds to the can of powder, pressures are minimal, velocities generally run close to 1800 and the accuracy is phenomenal.

This is the UNIVERSAL LOAD for Military calibres as developed by C.E. Harris, the Canadian ammunition genius.

I am looking at a photo of a 200-yard group shot with a .303 just 2 days ago. The 5-round group measures 1.8 inches, which is .9 MOA.

Load used was the Harris Load.

Worth looking into, one would think.
 
smellie said:
This load is NOT for Jacketed Bullets....

Load used was the Harris Load.

Worth looking into, one would think.
Click to expand...

From the "The Load" article by Ed Harris:
The Load" works well with jacketed bullets, giving somewhat lower velocities than with cast lead, due to less effective obturation and greater friction in the bore. The 85gr or 100gr Hornady or 90gr. Sierra JHP for the .32 H&R Mag. revolver, or the Remington 100gr .32-20 softpoint bullet become mild, but destructive varmint loads at 1600 fps from a .308 or '06.

If you substitute a stiffly jacketed 110gr .30 Carbine softpoint bullet, designed for higher velocities than imparted by "The Load", you have a non-destructive "coup de gras", small game or wild turkey load which shoots close to your deer rifle's normal zero, but at 25 yards! The 173-gr. Match .30 cal. boattail bullets may not shoot as well at these low velocities as lighter flat bases in the 12" twist .308 Win. barrels, but they do quite well in ten-inch twist barrels such as in the '06, 7.62 Russian and .303 British.
 
07blackwater said:
Ah, that's one manual I don't have yet.
Click to expand...

I like it because it isn't brand specific. It shows loads with powders & commercial bullets from a wide variety of manufacturers plus cast bullets. I use it more than any other manual when working up loads. It also has a lot of good general reloading info as well as the load data.
 
I just had a look in my Lyman cast bullet book, and there are no loads in there using n135 for 308. As far as bullet hardness, you shouldn't have a problem, bullet barn bullets are supposed to be 25 Brinnel.
Kristian
 
smellie said:
An extremely cheap and very accurate load with cast bullets can be made up with 13 (thirteen) grains of Red Dot shotgun powder.

No filler is necessary. Just use regular Rifle primers. Same load works well with 180 CAST bullets also.

This load is NOT for Jacketed Bullets.

You get 538 rounds to the can of powder, pressures are minimal, velocities generally run close to 1800 and the accuracy is phenomenal.

This is the UNIVERSAL LOAD for Military calibres as developed by C.E. Harris, the Canadian ammunition genius.

I am looking at a photo of a 200-yard group shot with a .303 just 2 days ago. The 5-round group measures 1.8 inches, which is .9 MOA.

Load used was the Harris Load.

Worth looking into, one would think.
Click to expand...

He's not fibbing, 200 yards, 185 grain cast bullets and 13 grains of red dot.

96CA814F-FB9A-46E4-A37A-04BF22FA4118-1239-0000055CFCAE1AD4.jpg
 
i cast for m14, savage, garand, and enfields and suggest using gas checks for your loads to prevent leading and so you can get a get a bit higher velocity, especially if you are using the load for hunting. if you can't get gas checks in your area, send me a pm.

check out castboolits.com for a lot of great info and recommended loads. they have several stickies that should guide you in a correct and safe direction.

i have the lyman and several older manuals that list loads for casting. send me a pm with your email address and i will send scans to you of the 308 data when i get back home.

regards
 
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gregc said:
i cast for m14, savage, garand, and enfields and suggest using gas checks for your loads to prevent leading and so you can get a get a bit higher velocity, especially if you are using the load for hunting. if you can't get gas checks in your area, send me a pm.

check out castboolits.com for a lot of great info and recommended loads. they have several stickies that should guide you in a correct and safe direction.

i have the lyman and several older manuals that list loads for casting. send me a pm with your email address and i will send scans to you of the 308 data when i get back home.

regards
Click to expand...

I'll second the recommendation of using gas checks. I've never had any luck shooting cast bullets in a rifle without gas checks. Not to mention that cleaning a badly leaded bore is never fun!
 
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