zardoz
04-01-2012, 11:02 PM
Only been doing this casting and reloading thing for a little over 3 years now. Started with the 45ACP, and branched out into a multitude of pistol calibers with cast boolits.
Later, I went with 45-70 rifle, and got a Sharps 50-90 a few months ago, and cast for those.
Today, was my first venture into the 308 Winchester cartridges with cast. I had been building experience with other things, but the 308 sort of presented a mental hurdle for me. I leaped that hurdle today with flying colors.
Alloy was water dropped wheel weights, with about 2% added tin. The mould was the Lee C309-180-R. Hornady gas checks pressed on by sizing to .309" in a Lee push through.
Some Lake City 99 once-fired tumbled, trimmed, deburred, and primed with CCI 200's, was the brass. I used a Lyman M die to expand just so the gas check fit in the necks.
I used straight LLA for lube, and double coated. Left to dry for quite a few days, and dusted with a little mica.
Powder, was Unique. 15.5 grains, metered out of the Lee Auto-disk. I think I checked those cases and powder weight 3 times, before I put the boolits in (very afraid of double charges).
Seated to 2.705" +/- .002", checked over 10 rounds. Used a Lee collet crimp die to just close the M die flare.
Gosh, I was skeptical. Very skeptical. I thought probably be lucky to hit the broad side of an aircraft hangar at 100 yards, and lead up my Savage Axis barrel.
Oh how I was proven wrong. Didn't even have to re-adjust my scope. Just as accurate, if not more so, than any other 308 cartridges I've shot, and a lot less recoil. No leading at all ( I made sure to get my copper fouling completely out before doing this). Didn't use a chrono today, but guessing I was at about 1700 fps. Now I'm wondering about new possibilities.
It has been a great day. Thanks to you all at Cast Boolits.
Later, I went with 45-70 rifle, and got a Sharps 50-90 a few months ago, and cast for those.
Today, was my first venture into the 308 Winchester cartridges with cast. I had been building experience with other things, but the 308 sort of presented a mental hurdle for me. I leaped that hurdle today with flying colors.
Alloy was water dropped wheel weights, with about 2% added tin. The mould was the Lee C309-180-R. Hornady gas checks pressed on by sizing to .309" in a Lee push through.
Some Lake City 99 once-fired tumbled, trimmed, deburred, and primed with CCI 200's, was the brass. I used a Lyman M die to expand just so the gas check fit in the necks.
I used straight LLA for lube, and double coated. Left to dry for quite a few days, and dusted with a little mica.
Powder, was Unique. 15.5 grains, metered out of the Lee Auto-disk. I think I checked those cases and powder weight 3 times, before I put the boolits in (very afraid of double charges).
Seated to 2.705" +/- .002", checked over 10 rounds. Used a Lee collet crimp die to just close the M die flare.
Gosh, I was skeptical. Very skeptical. I thought probably be lucky to hit the broad side of an aircraft hangar at 100 yards, and lead up my Savage Axis barrel.
Oh how I was proven wrong. Didn't even have to re-adjust my scope. Just as accurate, if not more so, than any other 308 cartridges I've shot, and a lot less recoil. No leading at all ( I made sure to get my copper fouling completely out before doing this). Didn't use a chrono today, but guessing I was at about 1700 fps. Now I'm wondering about new possibilities.
It has been a great day. Thanks to you all at Cast Boolits.