Realistic Expectations for Cast Boolits

[Bass Ackward]

When you read that title, what came into your mind? What did you expect was going to be written here?

Chances are it was your own expectations that matter to you. What were they?

We have a lot of new folks with varring experience levels. Are you finding the information and help you need?

This will help everyone to know and taylor answers to you.

[ssgt]

My expectation as concerns accuracy is very simple....Hunting.

Without undue attention to powder, load density, OAL etc I should be able to break 10 clays at 100 yards with 10 shots.

As concerns performance? Well, If the animal Im aiming at takes no more than 10 steps then falls over dead (assuming I do my part) then that is good performance.In this area I do tend to play with things such as hardness, lube, etc.

Yes, its very simplistic but so far Ive had no complaints. However, now that Ive been considering cast bullets in competition I sure that I will have to reconsider my personal expectations!

[cherok9878]

Hunting accuracy is all I need. I use minute of paper plate to determine my accuracy requirements. However on the random occasion when I get the one ragged hole I am as excited as a man with a new puppy.
I am very new to casting and started after finding this site. Information here has made my transition very easy and enjoyable......thanks.......larry

[dk17hmr]

My Realistic Expectations for Cast Boolits :

Be able to punch a hole in paper. That is about it. Being a full time college student and not working very much I needed a way to feed my newly aquired 45acp, because I love to shoot. I got a cast pot from my grandad and a dipper, I used my dads single burner Coleman stove, then upgraded to a 2 burner Coleman Stove I picked up at a flee market for $10, now I have a bottom pour a friend gave me.

Now I cast bullets for 9mm, 38, 357, 452, 458, 30, 44, and 50 cal muzzy bullets.

I have only been casting for about 6 months now.

Orignally I wanted just to be able to plink and maybe be able to hunt with my 45acp. Realistically I am getting better groups from the bench with my rifles then I did with some condom bullets.

And WOW this is cheap. I have close to 500 pounds of lead ingots and have only gave about $15 total for all my lead.

[dbotos]

Cheap. That was my first expectation. In 9mm, factory fodder is $12+/100, reloading plated was about $8/100, and I am now loading my own cast bullets (from free lead) for about $2.75/100. :mrgreen: Said cheapness has also turned me on to .45 ACP, which I bought some casting stuff for and will soon be buying reloading dies, a Glock 21, and an aftermarket barrel.

Other than that, I just want decent accuracy for the Defensive Pistol competitions I shoot in. So far so good. I've got some other powders to test in the off-season too.

[KCSO]

I started with cast to provide cheap practice and small game loads for my rifles. Thereafter I got into old guns and the cast loads put less wear on the bores of the old ones. My accuracy requirments are not too tough the cast loads just need to shoot as well or better than factory ammo!

[C1PNR]

My expectations for cast boolits is that I can put a heck of a lot of rounds down range for modest cost, and with a VERY high pleasure quotient (and a low wear quotient on the firearms).

My expectations further are that I can tailor boolit shape and diameter to best suit my firearms. All of them!

I started with moulds for the .45 Colt and .45 ACP. I wanted hard hitting, accurate .45 Colt, and accurate, inexpensive .45 ACP ammo.

I have since expanded to the rifle calibers and still expect < 2 MOA performance, with velocity capable of hits at long range when I do my part. This usually means a long process of load testing, which is nothing more than a really good excuse to shoot more.[smilie=1:

This accuracy condition varies, of course, with the type and condition of the rifle itself. I don't expect the same level of accuracy from a "well worn" turn of the century, WW I, or WW II veteran with original sights, as I expect from a 2004 Remington 8 Mauser, or a 1970s Ruger 7 Mauser, both with scopes.

My casting, hand loading, and shooting activities have been drastically curtailed for several years by conditions beyond my control (having to travel to work and provide a proper income for my family), but now that I'm retired and back in Idaho, I'm ready to really "GET IT ON!" as they say.

[David R]

I would like 1 moa or there about, but don't expect much more than that. Peestols, I expect to get as good as those hethan bullets. Some times better.

I have a Savage 24V that is 222 over 20 guage. It will shoot 1.5" at 50 yards, 8" at 100 and I am totally satisfied. Its a samll game gun. I can't even see a squirrel at 100 yards let alone shoot at it with iron sites.

22-250 has put 14 rounds in 5" at 300 yards. This is my most accurate cast rifle, but I don't shoot it much.

I have a 1917 enfield that shoots about 4" at 100 yards and it hits the silly wets with regularity.....Good enough for me. I have had more fun with this gun and cast boolits than any other rifle. When I am at the range I will let anybody shoot it and let em shoot a bunch. I use the 311407 group buy mold and 13.5 grains of Promo. I load em on the dillion. Cheap and fun. What more could you ask for?

If I need better accuracy, my stevens in 308 has a nice scope. It will shoot one inch at 100, but about 8 at 300....so far. This is accaptable to me too.

If I am hunting deer, I just take my Ruger super red hawk 44 with cast.

I won the center fire peestol silly wet match (league?) with my S&W model 25-7 (45 colt) and cast two years ago. Last year it was with my Ruger 44 and of course cast. Both were iron sites. Again what more could a guy ask for?

David

[Topper]

I've been casting for several years, and the information on this sight has been a real eye opener.
I have a better understanding of what causes leading and how to resolve it, lubes, molds and designs, gunsmithing tips, what loads work with which calibers, alloy differences, front stuffers, and a host of other topics including receipes:).
I've never taken any game with a lead bullet other than factory 22, but I'm planning on trying either a 30cal cast or 41mag cast this year if the opportunity arises.
This is a great forum for anyone interest in boolit casting and for experienced casters to share their wealth of knowledge.
By the way, this is a group I shot Monday with my 14" Contender .41mag barrel under very unfavorable wind conditions.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v342/Topper_1950/300grCast.jpg
I guesstimate the velocity is around 1400 fps since the groups were 2.25" higher @ 50yds.

[carpetman]

DavidR---I also have a Savage .222 and 20 guage combo. I found a steal on a Leupold 1x-4x and on .222 it does great. Shotgun,I don't have a clue--have never fired a shotgun round in it. My son in law used it on a turkey last year.

[MT Gianni]

My expectations started to be able to shoot when clinton's brady bill took away all our components. It has evolved to more shots per $ and the ability to shoot and take game animals with cast rifle boolits. I also expect to equal handgun ammo with my own cast boolits and have an extended plinking range of something I made my self. I extended my sling shot range showing I haven't matured much in the last 40 years. Gianni.

[AnthonyB]

Great thread idea, Bass.

Pistols - cast should do everything I need a pistol to do, hence my preference for big FN designs in the only real pistol caliber, the 45 ACP. If I can make offhand head shots on a B-27 target from 25 yards the load is accurate enough. Small groups at closer ranges mean I'm not shooting fast enough. When I can't use a real pistol, a 9mm with jacketed HPs serves. Practice ammo for it uses very cheap milsurp boolits.

Revolvers - again, cast does everything from soft HPs to hard boolits. I have never tried a load whose accuracy didn't exceed my shooting ability, and use the paper plate test to determine my max range. If I can't hit the plate I need to spend time on the range, not at the loading bench.

Rifles - I've only worked with the 45-70 and 356 Winchester so far, and both will equal jacketed accuracy.

Tony

[OBXPilgrim]

I've been hunting since '76 as a 16 year old, with nobody else in my family interested in it (nobody minded having a little venison when that 1st one came). Had a family friend show me reloading that same year. Started reloading 10 years later after finally being able to afford some decent firearms.

Been through a decent introduction to NRA Highpower Rifle Match shooting as well as Smallbore Silhouette & Smallbore Cowboy Silhoutte. Have shot alot of cast bullet (sorry - boolit) handgun loads - mostly low pressure calibers over the years.

Learned enough over the years to know that many times it is much better to listen than to reply. Found out about this site from somebody over at Greybeards. I've looked over alot of archived info & was quite impressed to say the least. I've always thought cast boolits were just a cheaper alternative. I was kind of shock to realize there were people that were brazen enough to think they were superior to boot.

In short order this has become my #1 go-to site for info & I'm determined to give these cast thumpers a try. Still like some of the other gun-sites on the web, just seems like there are more options of doing things right over here & more open discussion with differences of opinion here than a few other sites I've been on.

So my expectations of "CastBoolits" has been better than expected, hope my expectations of cast boolits are the same.

[sundog]

Pilgrim, cast boolits are not an alternative to condums. Rather, it's the other way around. Condums are an expensive, and not always 'mo betta' alternative, to real boolits. sundog

[Bass Ackward]

What I find strage is that no one mentions any long range aspirations. Handgun or rifle. (yet)

Superb accuracy requirements.

Don't be afraid. Spill your guts. Tell us what you really think.

Too many folks belong to this board have never posted yet. What about yooze guys?

[felix]

John, I can't see a beer can anymore past 100 yards! ... felix

[Bass Ackward]

John, I can't see a beer can anymore past 100 yards! ... felix


Felix,

That's OK. If you understand Manlaw, as it pertains to beer, you would know that beer cans should be crushed on the forehead or thrown when they are empty.

Anyone that tells you that they can throw an empty beer can farther than 100 yards is a BSer to the max. So you should be OK with that 100 yard limit. :grin:

[dragonrider]

I have no expectations for cast boolits. I shoot so I can reload, and I got into casting because it is another aspect of reloading. I know it sounds odd but accurracy for me is incedental. I go to the range in order to empty some cases so I can fill em up again. If I hit an 8 x 11 inch paper at 100 yds, that works for me.

[felix]

John, I'm so lazy that I wait for the wind to blow a beer can from my feet to the other side of the pond. The pond edge over there is about 80-100 yards from our (felix & Corky) shooting positions, depending on wind and shooting angles. No, we can't throw that far, but my sons can get fairly close when there are some rocks placed into the empty cans first. ... felix

[Bass Ackward]

So far we have:

hunting
cost
excuse to reload
cheapness
handgun proficiency
economical
fun
cheapness
blammin

Seems like economics and fun are highly represented so far.

Where are all the new folks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I understand why Felix and Sundog have so many issues. They work too hard at getting empty targets. :grin:

[1Shirt]

Well, like a lot of the others, I am cheap. However beyond that I like the challange of shooting cast, finding the most accurate loads, developing squibs/silent loads, and hunting loads. I cast and load for rifles, handguns, and muzzle loaders in 22,24,6.5,7mm,30's, 31's, 35, 375, 44, and 45 plus round balls from 32 to 75 and a few minis. Could probably be a lot better off overall if I got rid of about half of my inventory, and concentrated on just a couple three rifles, hand guns and front stuffers. That said, never said never figured that I would have this many guns, molds, etc, but when it comes to collecting things, collections like Topsy they grew. Never ran into anyone who considered themself to be an expert caster/cast shooter. Lots of very knowledgable folks on this web, and I constantly learn from them. Like Bass says there are varying levels of knowledge and experiance. Don't know about other old dogs, but this one is always willing to learn new tricks when it comes to casting and shooting cast boolits.
1Shirt!:coffee:

[bmblong]

I guess I am a newbie since I'm still a boolit bub. I got into reloading because it was cheap. I found out casting was super cheap. Then other things came into play. I found out that lead in your barrel is a pain in the @ss. Now I am trying to find a .357 load that won't lead a rifle and will shoot a 3 inch group at 100yds. I've got a .44mag Ruger Super Redhawk and a Winchester 94 .44 that I am waiting on the group buy that's going on. I want 2-3inch groups at 50 yds for the Redhawk. (scoped) and 4 inch groups at 100yds for the rifle. Both rifles have peep sights. I want ZERO leading with decent velocity 1100-1400fps. I have had great success with tumble lubed bullets at 900-1000fps with no leading. I have a 1911 that I want to shoot paperplate accurate at about 15-20yds. That is about all my expectations for cast boolits.

[SharpsShooter]

I enjoy taking a untamed wheelweight and creating a finished product that I can use for Long Range sillywet, hunting or paper punching. You guys kill me...cheap..this hobby ain't cheap. I have bought more dies, lube, presses, moulds, gaschecks and even a couple more guns since taking up this affliction than in many years past. I require accuracy. With the serious guns, if it is not capable of 2" less at 100yds, I'm not too interested. Plinker guns should still be capable of 3-4" at a hundred yards. These requirements tend to give you a lot of trigger time. The Challenge of working up loads that are acceptable is a part of the enjoyment that many would find frustrating, but the chase is as fun as the capture, so to speak.

SS

[AnthonyB]

Bruce, order an RCBS 45-230CM mold for that 1911 and never look back. It will be more accurate than needed, feeds smoothly, and hits hard. Tony

[DOUBLEJK]

Expectations????

Dang lost em somewheres down the long road a lifes bumps n curves....

Now my expectations er fully fullfilled when I fire up that pot n them silver relaxation pills start pilin' up.....:)

Cast...Size n Lube...Reload...Shoot em up...A simple n easy ta follow cycle a life...
One a Life's Better Slow Down n Enjoy Endever's...

Course I Expect em ta arrive Everytime on Address n Fully Capable a Completin' the job they was sent ta perform...:Fire:

Hmmmmm' sometimes they don't tho....complications have set in...:confused:

Then a little Beagle here n a little Buckshot there n a Pinch a Bass n a TS. a Felix n a Tweak a Bruce n a Shot a AL n a Dose a Waksupi er a Dash a Flood n a Cup a Joe n it's woes er cured er laid ta rest...

Thank's Bass
Now Ya went n uncomplicated my life agin'....:-D

[bmblong]

AnthonyB,

Right now I've got a Lee TL 230gr truncated cone. I just bought a lubrisizer and will be purchasing a new 230gr mold. I'll take your suggestion under advisement. I really like the 6 hole Lee molds though.

[cbrick]

I'm with SharpsShooter, performance & accuracy. Economy? I don't think so, I could shoot condom bullets for the next several years for what I have invested in casting equipment. For most of my guns I give no consideration to cast or jacketed loads and heat treat for an alloy that will do what I need and not what someone else says a cast bullet should do. That said, I am not shooting any of the 3000+ fps cartridges. My 308 rifle shoots the SAECO #307 at 2400 fps and groups 2" at 150 meters, zero leading. Still working this load up and don't know yet how far it can be pushed.

A few years ago in Handgun Silhouette I won the NRA California State Revolver Championship with a 60X60 shooting against some of the sports top revolver shooters. That was pretty satisfying but what gave me the best feeling then and still does today, everyone of those shooters used the best condom bullet money could buy and my cast bullet whooped em all.

My FA 357 scoped from bench shoots a 190 gr cast at 1550 fps into 2" to 2 1/2" at 150 meters. For me its accuracy and performance. Wuss loads . . . No thanks. Condom bullets? I don't think so. In revolver shooting I couldn't afford the handicap of condom bullets.

Put me in the long range handgun accuracy/performance column.

Rick

[JSH]

I don't know where to start on this.
First off I was told by several egg spurts, for years that CB's were just for practice or informal shooting without concerns for accuracy.
Well that is a fairly large load of crap, though it took me about 15+ years to find that out for myself.
I started on this journey with just the thoughts of the fun of shooting my Dads 03 without hurting the bore. I did that for a while. After several collectors looked at it and made offers, it is a safe queen. I have since purchased another for fun and games.
After the rifle, I thought maybe of trying to shoot IHMSA with CB's just for fun. First time out, 40x40+10 if memory serves me right. Now, what chaps me is being able to keep doing that on a consistant basis. Actually I fear I may be making this to hard if truth be known.
I have since shot very few FLGC's at a match. I just feel I try to push anything under a 30 cal to hard. That and the small projectile seems to be finicky at times. But on that note after reading some of the .22 CF threads...................

My number one thoughts on CB's. If they won't shoot as good as a FLGC, I want to know why. I was lucky enough to have a father that was a a tinkerer, is that a word?
So far CB's have surpassed any of my expecatations. They have been much easier for me to find a load that will shoot as well as I want it too.
My son has started shooting quite a bit. In this day and age the youngsters don't get near enough of this IMHO. So if I can save a $ here and there and let him shoot to his hearts content with good quality ammo, I guess economy falls in here.
I have enough confidence in CB's no further than I have gotten into them that I would like to try some of the local CB BR shoots in the future.
I am a pistol shooter for the most part. A fine rifle will get more than a double look from me though. My Br project has set on the back burner for just about long enough. I need to get that into gear. Have all the parts and pieces, but a trigger and a stock. The funds have been going towards moulds, GC's and such.
Jeff

[LET-CA]

For me casting was a logical extension of the enjoyment I got from reloading. I originally started reloading as a way to reduce costs enough to allow me to shoot more often. Now I find I don't mind spending money as much becuase I am enjoying the hobby so much more. My children are now adults so the financial pressures are somewhat reduced. I've been delighted to find that I get great accuracy when I do my part. In short, casting for me is like cooking from scratch. You wouldn't think much of a chef who used mixes for all his special dishes. . .

:Fire:

[PatMarlin]

I enjoy the challenge, I enjoy the science. I enjoy knowing that I have my whole life to look forward pushing the cast envelope on every one of my firearms.

Cheap? I don't think so. I like many here have a ton of dollars invested. But, in the long run, it certainly will pay and be cheap.

I enjoy taking game, with clean kills and eating right up to the whole. I look forward to shooting my Trapdoor at long range, and I have several hundred yards of powerlines clearing close by. Just got to get my Rokon running... :mrgreen:

[Ron]

My expectations regarding cast boolits is basically that I can keep casting them to a consistant weight and size. My main objective with cast boolits is to be able to shoot them as accuarately as my revolver does. After seeing what my revolver does when it is locked down in a Ransom Rest and what my best effort is at the same distance, I have a long way to go.

Apart from this, I enjoy the loneliness of the boolit caster where I can be with my own thoughts and when I voice my opinion there is nobody to answer back!

[Sven Dufva]

Moore speed then jacket bullets in 357 mag and 44 mag.
Barrels be accurate for moore bullets.( longer life off barrels)
Lower cost if i cast plenty of bullets (very plenty).
I use my bullets in competision so i expect 4" or better on 100 yards.

[Shuz]

I started casting over 40 years ago because it was a way for a GI making only $85.00/mo (and all he could eat in the chow hall) to shoot a lot for a little $. I still enjoy the economics of cast boolits, and now cast for the .250 Sav, 7 mm TCU,7mm-08, .300 Sav,.30-06, .35 Whelen, and the .44 mag from whence this all started. I can't remember the last time I fired a jacketed round with any of those cartridges. I have hunted with the .35 Whelen and the .44 mag (revolver)and taken deer,elk and moose with them. So far, the .44mag has been been used only on deer. I hope to shoot a deer this year with a composite boolit that I have been experimenting with.

I also enjoy shooting cast in CBA competitions, so I have always strived for an accurate round. I guess I really enjoy competing or hunting with a boolit that I've made myself.

[DPD]

Cbrick got a 2" group at 150 meters from his 308 with the Saeco #307, and a sub
2.5" group at 150 meters with a FA 357. Pretty impressive in my opinion. I was just wondering, what are the cast boolit benchrest records for 100 and 200 yds?
They do have CBA bench matches don't they?
I would think it takes a lot of patience and careful record keeping to develop a
component combination that will put 5 CBs inside of 2 inches at 150 plus yards.
My hats off to Cbrick. If he's following the thread, maybe he'll tell us what rifle,
primer, powder, case , seating depth (on or off the lands), etc. he narrowed his
load down to.
Thanks,
Don

[cbrick]

Yes DPD, the CBA does have CB BR matches but I have never competed in one. I have little doubt that most of their top shooters would get a good chuckle out a 2" group.

The 308 that shot these groups is a TCR 83 that I picked up used for $300.00. It included a Tasco 18X vari scope, dies (old RCBS), SAECO mould # 311 and about 300 rounds of IMI brass, most of it loaded with # 311. That I know of I am the third owner and in reality it could be more. Its well fired but the bore is bright, shiny and smooth. The rifling looks good.

When working up loads I normally group on the handgun silhouette swinger turkey at 150 meters and measure the groups center to center of the widest shots.

I am probably not doing much that most of the bullet casters here looking for decent groups aren't doing. I draw the line on defective bullets and to me the worst defect is any defect at all on or near the base. Bullet inspection begins while opening the sprue. If a bullet base isn't perfect its no better than the sprues that go back in the pot. There is no easier time to see a rounded bullet base than while its still in the mould.

SAECO # 307 in the 308 engraves the rifling nearly to the driving band but isn't so tight as to pull the bullet when opening the action. Bullet is seated with the front lube groove well out of the neck and the bullet base flush with the bottom of the neck. OAL is 2.750". V V N-135 @ 36.0 gr., Fed # 210. Alloy is WW+3% virgin bar tin heat treated to 18 BHN. As cast bullet dia, is .3095" and I sized it nose first in a Star lubrisizer w/ .309" die that sizes this alloy to .3089". The bore slug measures .3075". I got extremely lucky in that this mould drops bullets with this alloy at very nearly a perfect fit in this rifle.

Brass was once fired Federal factory rounds. Fireformed in my rifle with a different load (and my normal load). Once fireformed it is neck sized with Redding Comp bushing neck sizer with a bushing .0015" smaller than loaded neck diameter. Bullets were seated with Redding Comp seater die. Primer pockets and flash holes uniformed with Sinclair tools. Brass was flared with a Lyman "M" die plug that measures .30645” and does not expand the brass, just slightly flares it. Lube is LBT Blue.

This V V N-135 load is an experimental load and I have fired three shot groups with it twice and both times the three shots were nearly but not quite touching on the steel 150 meter target. Scoped from the bench of coarse. I normally shoot 5 shot groups but didn't know if I was going to get any leading.

Now for revolver loading I get down right serious. I should introduce my best friend, his first name is Shiney, his last name is Shooter. Mr Shiney Shooter is a Freedom Arms model 83 9" 357 Mag. Shiney won the California State NRA Long Range Revolver Championshp and he was kind enough to let me hold him while he did it.:-D

DPD, did I answer all of your questions :)

Rick

[Maven]

All, CBrick & JSL's views are close to my own. Casting is hardly inexpensive or effortless compared to reloading with j-word bullets. However, it's a labor of love, which pays handsomely if one is persistent, curious and a bit of a perfectionist throughout the casting, sizing (?) and loading process. Bass's question made me think about the pioneering CB work of both E.H. Harrison and the Lyman Corp. especially the idea that CB accuracy generally wouldn't equal that of those other projectiles. One has to wonder whether our expectations have been tainted by that position. In addition, there were equipment design issues, e.g., sizing dies without a tapered leade, improperly dimensioned bullet molds (bore riders for the most part and not only those made by Ideal/Lyman*), etc., which didn't exactly enhance the accuracy of the finished product. Ironic isn't it that shooters in the last century could achieve enviable accuracy with swaged, paper patched and cast bullets? (See Ned Roberts' "The Muzzle-Loading Caplock Rifle").

To answer Bass's question directly, my expectations are pretty straighforward. I strive to achieve the same level of accuracy in my rifles (including "as issued" milsurps) and revolvers as I can with j-word bullets. For the most part, I have succeeded, but it has been a challenge finding the "right" CB, sizing diameter and OAL for each. Powder selection & charge wt., by comparison, have been easier. Thus far, the Type 56 SKS has presented the greatest challenge in that it will shoot into 1" @ 50yd. with CB's, but only 3"-4" @ 100yd. with the same CB & powder charge even though I once put 5 into 1.5" with it at that range: Something about a blind squirrel finding an acorn comes to mind here.


*I have since rid myself of a Cramer (Saeco) RG-4 that was underdimensioned as well as a Ly. #311334 & #311284. The nose of my #311291 is also undersized, but performs surprisingly well in my Finn. Nagant & K-31, but not my '06 or .30-30.

[cbrick]

However, it's a labor of love, which pays handsomely if one is persistent, curious and a bit of a perfectionist throughout the casting, sizing (?) and loading process.

Maven sure nailed it there. It is very much a labor of love and a lot of shooters that I shoot with think I'm nuts for what I put into my casting. Most of them are quiet and perplexed when cast bullets beat them in a match. H*ll, anybody can buy a bullet, it takes a labor of love to make one that will do exactly what you want and need and there lies the fascination, the challenge, the fun.


especially the idea that CB accuracy generally wouldn't equal that of those other projectiles. One has to wonder whether our expectations have been tainted by that position.

I think that a great many bullet casters and most all non-bullet casters expectations have been influenced greatly by numerous "old wives tales". Their expectations are far lower from the get go and they either give up or settle for far less than they should.


To answer Bass's question directly, my expectations are pretty straighforward. I strive to achieve the same level of accuracy in my rifles (including "as issued" milsurps) and revolvers. but it has been a challenge

Most (but not all) of my casting and loading and load development for the past several years has been for long range revolver. My expectations here are simple, cast bullets will out perform condom bullets in revolvers. Period. And they do but yes, its a challenge. There's that labor of love thing again :-D.

Rick

[milkman-06]

I'm just getting into this challenge. I expect accuracy and the power to do the job assigned at long ranges. I realize that the game of finding the answers will take the rest of my life.
Russ N
milkman-06

[xpshooter]

I am also new to this casting scene and I don't really have any set goals yet. I

realize cast boolits are cheaper which is good, and I will start feeding my

revolvers cast boolits because it's easier on them. But I don't know if I should

expect cast boolits to shoot as good as the condom ones out of my XP's at longer

ranges.

[Char-Gar]

I grew tired of hunting some years ago.

I got tired of making rifles print small a groups with those dreaful little yellow thingies some years ago also.

Shooting sports that keep me interested years ago, became routine, boring and child's play.

I shoot cast bullets because it is the ultimate challenge for the handloader/rifleman.
I can see no end to learning and trying to get the bullets to play follow the leader through the same hole. It is the Holy Grail for a lifetime as a student and practitioner of the rifle.

My expectations is for a rifle to give it's very best accuracy with cast bullets. This changes from rifle to rifle, but I won't settle for anything less that the best obtainable with that particular rifle.

[Bullshop]

What do you mean by expectations? You mean like cash back, or bonus flying miles, or free long distance minutes or sumthin like that?
Dang !!! I didnt know I was sposed ta have expectations, I thought I was just havin fun! Now ya went and ruined it for me
I started huntin and shootin cuz thats the way I was brought up. I wanted to shoot more cuz its fun. I started loading so I could have more fun for the $ then started casting for the same reason. I started sellin boolits to get the money for the stuff I couldnt make, primers, brass, and powder.
What I expect is the same level of fun no matter what collor the booilt/bullet is. There is no reason to accept or expect a lower level of accuracy from any gun because it its shooting a boolit and not a bullet.
The loads will likely be different but the material the projectile is made from is not what determans how accurate a fire arm will be.
If I were to have an expectation it would be that I can expect to have to PUT IN MY TIME with any gun in load development, and tuning of the arm and ammo to include casting perfection to achieve an acceptable level of performance to satisfy my needs with that particular arm.
BIC/BS

[Bass Ackward]

I waited to see what would shake out when this finally died. I was surprised to see that everyone thought I was talking about bullets and shooting. Nobody even mentioned their expectations for this board or the catagories.

There is definately a long term trend for casting to be cheap. Cheap to shoot more or just cheap all together. That was the nature of things 50, 40, 30 years ago and it remains so today. So I doubt that will ever change.

What is encouraging is to read and see the willingness of folks to consider and use cast for hunting. Especially amongst those that are quiet for other posting. I wonder how much credit for that can go to the board / site?

While not a lot of people mentioned long range or competitions, I never really exected them too. Competition is something that is not really advanced by this group. And the people that do tend to be secretive about what they find that works for them. Nature of the beast. And .... there are other places for that too.

But I see people continuously helping people. Why even professional casters helping the competition. Not sure that would happen too many other places.

I want to use this opportunity to thank those that dedicate their time and put forth an effort here every day so that what ever floats your boat, can. Whether that be moderators or anything else that we take for granted. Thanks guys for an opportunity to advance what I find interesting in this world. Much appreciated.

[BruceB]

These last two posts from Bullshop and Bass have nailed it down for me.

Further words from me would be a waste of space.

VERY well said, gentlemen!!

[cbrick]

While not a lot of people mentioned long range or competitions, I never really exected them too. Competition is something that is not really advanced by this group. And the people that do tend to be secretive about what they find that works for them. Nature of the beast. And .... there are other places for that too.

Bass Ackward, I agree with most of what you said except this paragraph. 200 meter handgun silhouette is the majority of my shooting and I "only" shoot cast and have done so with championship winning master class scores at times. I pass on any and all casting info that I can to anyone that will listen. NO secrets here, better competition will only serve to make me work harder at it and learn more.

Oh, one more thing. Saving money? I have yet to cast a bullet to save money. I could shoot condom bullets for the next few years for what I have invested in casting equipment. I cast to make it with my own two hands and make it work.

My expectations? No wussy cast bullet loads in my long range handguns and some of my rifles. If it won't shoot condom load data or better I did something wrong and its time to start over from scratch and make it shoot. I expect the accuracy, momentum and velocity that I loaded the round to do.


Rick