Rifle cast loading: a few last questions please

[milprileb]

Gents, I would appreciate your advice on the following>

a. What model M Die do I need for 3006,7.5 French, 7.5 Swiss, 303 Brit Enfield. Is it the long or short model of M die for 30 caliber ? Or do I need to order both M dies?

b. Gas Checks: Who was the member making them and selling them please and how to contact him to order?

c. Has anyone compared 2500 bullet lube vs LBT blue bullet lube and found one to be a bit better for 30 caliber cast bullets ? So far, Lars lubes have been solid performers but I have not ever loaded for cast rifle and am about to trek that way momentarily.

d. I am thinking of a 50 50 alloy of Wheel Weights and Lino Type, air cooled and gas checked. Am I on the right track for rifle alloy ? I have 50 50 bar solder , do I need to add some of that to the alloy?

Any help on the above areas of concern will speed my ramping up to cast rifle bullets which I greatly want to get on with but first: have the right gear and a focus on what alloy to use.

I thank you very much.

[Larry Gibson]

milprileb

Gents, I would appreciate your advice on the following>

a. What model M Die do I need for 3006,7.5 French, 7.5 Swiss, 303 Brit Enfield. Is it the long or short model of M die for 30 caliber ? Or do I need to order both M dies?

If you cast bullets are going to be from .311 to .314 then the .31 M-die is all that is needed. If you are going to use .309 or .310 sized bullets in any of them the .31 M-die is needed. I would use the .31 Mdie for as .311 is my "go to" sizing for most all of those.

b. Gas Checks: Who was the member making them and selling them please and how to contact him to order?

Someone else?

c. Has anyone compared 2500 bullet lube vs LBT blue bullet lube and found one to be a bit better for 30 caliber cast bullets ? So far, Lars lubes have been solid performers but I have not ever loaded for cast rifle and am about to trek that way momentarily.

I have compared LBY Blue hard and soft to numerous other lubes in several cartridges with several different bullets. I've found javelina and 2500+ to be the best for accuracy and non leading at 1800 to 2600+ fps.

d. I am thinking of a 50 50 alloy of Wheel Weights and Lino Type, air cooled and gas checked. Am I on the right track for rifle alloy ? I have 50 50 bar solder , do I need to add some of that to the alloy?

I would suggest adding the solder to the WWs so you add 2% tin. That alloy will generally AC to 14 - 17 BHN with 16 - 17 being the norm after 10+ days aging. With the linotype I would find some pure lead as it already has sufficient tin and antimony. Mix the lino with lead at 40 - 80 lino to 50 - 20 lead depending on the BHN and how hard you want to push them. I find 80/20 give a BHN of 18 - 19 and makes ecxellent high velocity bullets. 50/50 is excellent for magnum hangun levels and 65/35 or 70/30 is and excllent GP alloy for rilfe loads in the 1600 - 1950 fps range.

Larry Gibson

[popper]

There are 2 die and 2 plugs for 30 cal. Call Lyman and ask. I think you need the long one, the short one is for 308. For cast, I think you need the 31R(312) plug. I got both(~$5), the 30r for jacketed. Somebody here makes plugs also (buckshot?). I shoot 311-312 and the 31r gives good neck tension.

[462]

You will need the long, M2 die body. My 31R expander measures .3095" and the step is .314", but it's too small to use for my Enfields.

Blammer sells gas checks.

[1Shirt]

Just my 2 cents worth, but I got rid of all of my M-dies on e-bay, and bought a lee expander die. Handles everything from 22's on up to 45's,
1Shirt!

[runfiverun]

d.
you are overthinking it.
i use 2 alloys.
ww's and soft waterdropped for rifles at 1900+ [i have gone to 2400 with it]
ww's and soft not waterdropped for almost everything else.

my other alloy is 4/6/90.
lino and pure 50-50 with 2% tin added, this is used to gain diameter in some molds, and to hold the rifling in others, for when i start pushing things hard.
sometimes there is some copper or zinc involved too.
i seriously doubt you need this one.