can a 308 mold make 311 boolits

[lunicy]

I have a very nice mold meant for american 30 caliber. (drop a .309 - .3095 boolit)
if I put some foil tape on it, can i open it enough to use it in my russian guns?
If i opened the mold with tape, it would drop a slightly oblong boolit. Would the sizing die make it round again (and squeeze it to the proper size)?

[462]

Yes, to both of your questions.

[MtGun44]

If you don't make it round when sizing, it will get round when it hits the barrel with
20,000 psi behind it.

Bill

[offshore44]

Interesting...I'm looking for a 0.311 - 0.312" diameter boolit for paper patching a Mauser. Hadn't considered taping a mold for that purpose. Thanks!

[243winxb]

Another method. Changing the alloy can make a bullet drop from the mould larger. Add Antimony or Linotype.
The bullet diameters and weights presented in this list
are based on the use of Taracorp’s Lawrence Magnum
bullet alloy (2% tin, 6% antimony, 1/4% arsenic,
91.75% lead).
Bullet diameters and weights will vary considerably
depending on the lead casting alloy used. This variation
can be as much as 1/2% on the diameter, and 8% on
the weight among the most commonly used casting
alloys. For example, a .358-158 grain bullet might
show a diameter variation of .002", and a 13 grain difference
in weight.
Of the most commonly used alloys, wheel weights (.5%
tin, 4% antimony, 95% lead) will produce bullets having
the smallest diameter and heaviest weight, with
such bullets running approximately .3% smaller in
diameter and 3% heavier than bullets cast with
Taracorp's metal. Linotype will produce bullets with the
largest diameter and lightest weights. This alloy will
produce bullets approximately 1/10% larger and 3%
lighter than Taracorp. Other alloys of tin and antimony,
with antimony content above 5%, will produce bullets
with diameters and weights falling between those cast
from wheel weights and linotype.
Alloys containing little or no antimony will cast considerably
smaller than wheel weights and in some cases
will produce bullets too small for adequate sizing.
Within the limitations given above, the weight and
diameter of a cast bullet can be adjusted by varying the
alloy’s antimony content. The size and weight of bullets of a given alloy will also
vary according to casting temperature. Higher temperatures
will result in greater shrinkage as the bullet
cools, thereby producing a slightly smaller and lighter
bullet than one cast of the same alloy at a lower temperature

[noylj]

How hard is your alloy? Are you using a gas-check?
As you add tin, antimony, etc. your bullet will get lighter and larger in diameter.
First, why not try what you have, see how it shoots, etc. Just use a sizing die that is equal or slightly larger than the as-cast diameter.
If you have a nice mold, why "wreck" it for some "cheap" Russian Milsurp?

[mooman76]

311 isn't usually big enough for Russian guns. Did you slug them?

[Ben]

mooman76


311 isn't usually big enough for Russian guns. Did you slug them?

I was about to chime in with that very question. You just beat me to it.
Russian rifles are " all over " with respect to bore diameters.

Ben

[303Guy]

Have you thought of paper patching? That'll put right to full power loads with your boolits as cast. You never know - it might just shoot real accurate. A good idea if the bore is worn or rough or both.

[mooman76]

Yes, my thoughts were he'd be lucky to have a Russian that slugs at 311 not alone have one small enough to use a 311 lead boolit.


mooman76



I was about to chime in with that very question. You just beat me to it.
Russian rifles are " all over " with respect to bore diameters.

Ben

[lunicy]

NOYLJ: I have never taped a mold before, does it ruin the mold? I assumed I could take the foil tape back off when I wanted it to be a .308 mold again.

I have not slugged the barrel, but it shoots ok with a .312 from another mold.

Paper Patching..... Hmmmm..... That could work. I always wanted to try it. Now I have a fine reason.

[DLCTEX]

It does no harm to the mould to beagle it.

[Blammer]

yep a good cleaning of the tape to get it off and it'll be back to the normal casting size.