SAECO Mould #305

[X-man]

Hi Guys,

Just got a good deal on a four cavity SAECO 305 mould that is in like new condition. Hoping to use it for my .303 British rifles. Anyone have an idea as to what Lyman/RCBS top punch will work for this bullet. The SAECO top punch is #30530. The mould is supposed to drop a 180gr FPGC bullet.

Any advise you can give on which alloy will drop the largest bullets with this mould re: GC base? Its supposed to be a tapered form of gas check heel. SAECO states that these bullets, "...are designed to properly maintain the gas checks when cast with Lawerence Magnum Bullet Metal or linotype. Aloys producing smaller diameters may result in gas checks not seating properly."

Linotype has become pretty scarce and is almost impossible to get anymore.

Any help or input would be welcome!:-D

[Newtire]

these bullets, "...are designed to properly maintain the gas checks when cast with Lawerence Magnum Bullet Metal or linotype. Aloys producing smaller diameters may result in gas checks not seating properly."


I have the Saeco 316 & it loves Hornady and now our group buy checks. I use regular wheel-weights pretty much exclusively.

[Slowpoke]

The Saeco 305 is my best bullet for a 30-30 336. Mine drops .312 and .303 with WW' and the gas checks are tight both Horn. and Gator

Can't help with the Lyman or RCBS top punch but Saeco makes a top punch for the 305 that will work with the Lyman or RCBS lube sizer. I got two from them one for the .305 and one for the 315..

good luck

[Calamity Jake]

I use RCBS top punch #546 with my Saeco 305, it works with just about all of the 30-32 cal flat nose boolets.
The 305 won't be big enough for 303 in any alloy worth shooten, unless you have one that measures no bigger than .309. The two cav I own cast a .3115 by .3000 in a mix ot 75/25 WW/Lino. I have beageled my and got it up to .315 without fins anything larger gives me fins.

[X-man]

I've got two Lee-Enfields with slugged bores of .314", two with .315", & one at .316", plus two Parker-Hale sporters that I haven't gotten around to slugging yet. Looks like I might be out of luck for use with the .303s.:( Crap!

If I cast with just WW I should be able to drop a useable bullet for .30-30 & .308 don't you think? I've been trying to find a Lyman 314299 for ages locally, but no shops have 'em and I can't even get one via mail-order from any of the big mail-order houses up here in Canada...:-?

[curioushooter]

Is there any problem sizing the #305 down to .309 for use in a 30-30 lever action (Mossberg 464 which has a pretty short ogive tolerance like a win 94).