300 Blackout cast boolit load thread

[Jumbopanda]

I've got a 300 Blackout rifle on the way, mainly because I felt it would be a great way to shoot cast bullets from an AR. So I'd love to hear some of your experiences with 300 Blackout cast boolits, and any load information you may have (mold type, alloy, powder, COAL, accuracy, subsonic, supersonic, gas checked, plain base, etc.).



One thing that concerns me is that most cast boolit designs are not very pointy, and I'm afraid that they must be seated extra deep into order to clear the ribs in AR magazines. Is this something worth worrying about?

[LynC2]

I don't have a 300 Blackout, I have a 7.62x40WT which is the longer case version. You are going to have issues with the profile of most cast bullets in yours unless they are seated deeply. The rounds seated long will be angled inward and only loading a few may work ok, but certainly not at full capacity. A work around for that is using the magazines made of one of the new plastics and partially removing the rib. An example of this is the one Wilson uses for the 7.62x40. http://shopwilsoncombat.com/AR-Style-Magazine-762x40-WT-20-Round-Polymer-Lancer-L5-AWM/productinfo/TR-762LMAG20/

[garym1a2]

I shoot the Lee cast boolit, 155Gr with IMr4227. Seated to the crimp mark on the boolit. Loaded to shoot 1750fps with a gas check. It feeds well from my 30 round Pmags. No mod needed with this mag. BUT, it does not work with my 20 RND AL nor my 20 round Pmags. The bullets in those mags tends to move forward and I get Failures to feed (FTF). With the 30 round pmag the rib is in the right place to hold the rounds. With this Pmag I can also load mag up to 30 and work.
Biggest thing I can say if you make your own brass is to get the Harbor freight chop saw and also the worlds greatest trimmer. Untill I got that trimmer I was ready to give up.

I've got a 300 Blackout rifle on the way, mainly because I felt it would be a great way to shoot cast bullets from an AR. So I'd love to hear some of your experiences with 300 Blackout cast boolits, and any load information you may have (mold type, alloy, powder, COAL, accuracy, subsonic, supersonic, gas checked, plain base, etc.).



One thing that concerns me is that most cast boolit designs are not very pointy, and I'm afraid that they must be seated extra deep into order to clear the ribs in AR magazines. Is this something worth worrying about?

[Jupiter7]

Worlds finest trimmer...and yes, get it if you plan to convert your own brass. And +1 for the harbor freight chop saw.

I also load the lee312-155, drops 160grs over 15.5grs lil gun seated to crimp groove, tumble lube straight LLA , sized .309 lee push thru with alum. gas check. 1800fps in a 10" barrel. Feeds in every mag I've tried, groups well enough for government work.

[Smoke4320]

lots of loads listed here along with some grouping pictures

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?171710-300-Blackout-cast-load-data&highlight=300_blackout

[LynC2]

:)
Worlds finest trimmer...and yes, get it if you plan to convert your own brass. And +1 for the harbor freight chop saw.

I also load the lee312-155, drops 160grs over 15.5grs lil gun seated to crimp groove, tumble lube straight LLA , sized .309 lee push thru with alum. gas check. 1800fps in a 10" barrel. Feeds in every mag I've tried, groups well enough for government work.

I agree it certainly reduces the amount necessary to final trim on the converted cases!

[LynC2]

73936

This illustrates the problem with the std. mil. spec. mags. As others have said, the ones made of synthetics work better and I know some of the Blackout shooters are using the Lancer mags with the rib partially removed to eliminate the interference with the heavier projectiles. A long heavy projectile will hit the ribs of many of the different mags on the market, some are better than others and it just depends upon how long the full body diameter projects out of the case. The lighter ones don't have that issue as stated by the other 300 BO shooters.

[garym1a2]

My problem with some 20 round mags and the short round is that the complete round moves forward in the mag under recoil and than I get FTFs.

[LynC2]

My problem with some 20 round mags and the short round is that the complete round moves forward in the mag under recoil and than I get FTFs.

Yes, that an issue with AR mags. using a different ctg. in them. The rib on AR's are designed to engage the shoulder of the 5.56 case to prevent the ctg. from sliding forward under recoil. Sometimes one can adjust the length of the loaded round (projectile) in the Blackout to butt against a rib to prevent that problem. There are a lot of variables to deal with in using a non std. round in AR's. :???:

[Jb326]

Tagging for interest.

HUGE +1 for the Worlds finest trimmer too. What are you guys using for chop saw jigs? I bought a saw, but without a jig I'm having much better luck with my band saw.

My upper is getting pinned and welded at this moment, I should be shooting by next week. I'm also casting the Lee 155's as well as the Lee AAC 230's, both "Piglet coated".

[LynC2]

Tagging for interest.

HUGE +1 for the Worlds finest trimmer too. What are you guys using for chop saw jigs? I bought a saw, but without a jig I'm having much better luck with my band saw.



My upper is getting pinned and welded at this moment, I should be shooting by next week. I'm also casting the Lee 155's as well as the Lee AAC 230's, both "Piglet coated".

I'm pretty low tech at this point, but it works well for me. I just cleaned a spot on the angle adjustment and epoxied a nut on it. I use a bolt inserted inside of the nut with a jam nut to adjust the length of the cut using the clamp on the cut-off tool. There is also a high tech version for sale that someone is making that really speeds up the process, I just might have to fire up the lathe and make my version of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rySmFSnk0U

[Jupiter7]

No jig. I use the crappy screw vise that came on it. Got it eyeballed for measurement, roughly bottom of web about .05 back from left side. I usually only make 50 at a time, load those and then shoot and put in the 1x fired bin. Got about 2k in the 1x bin, about 200 loaded and 100 cut and waiting for my lazy butt to form them. I took all my 2x and fire formed them with my bolt gun, waiting for me to buy a neck sizer.

[garym1a2]

for a cutting fixture I just took a 1 by 2 board. Drilled ten holes thru it. Put ten cases in it and cut five than flip it and cut the other five. Its very fast.

[Jailer]

Tagging for interest.

HUGE +1 for the Worlds finest trimmer too. What are you guys using for chop saw jigs? I bought a saw, but without a jig I'm having much better luck with my band saw.

My upper is getting pinned and welded at this moment, I should be shooting by next week. I'm also casting the Lee 155's as well as the Lee AAC 230's, both "Piglet coated".

Had a buddy of mine make me a block out of wood. Had it made big enough to keep my mits away from the blade. It indexes off the front of the saw table and the side of the saw vice.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b180/Jailer/Gun%20stuff/300blktrimming7.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/Jailer/media/Gun%20stuff/300blktrimming7.jpg.html)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b180/Jailer/Gun%20stuff/300blktrimming4.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/Jailer/media/Gun%20stuff/300blktrimming4.jpg.html)

[Jumbopanda]

I just use this:

73989

[Possum]

I am using the 312-155-R Lee bullet out of COWW. W296 is the powder and Lake City brass. The groups are hanging around 1.5-2.5" @100yds with mixed brass. Velocities are between 1800 - 1940fps.

I did have some trouble with the Lee dies. They were not sizing the case down enough between the shoulder and the base if the case. I now run them through a 223 sizer and then through the Blackout dies. I would HIGHLY recommend getting a Sheridan case gauge for this caliber. It helped tremendously, especially if you will be using different brass. I have found certain cases have thicker necks than others. In my gun anything that starts with a "P" usually will not chamber correctly. I also use the Harbor Freight chop saw. Makes quick work of cases.

[Moonie]

I've used the Lee 170gr .309 (wouldn't feed well as its short in the mags), Lee 155 .312, Lee 230gr and the Accurate 245gr. My favorite load is the Lee 155, it feeds well and is accurate, I load it with 15-15.3gr H110/W296 with Gator gas checks.

[DCP]

http://www.300blktalk.com/forum/index.php?sid=514df34acbbf2bd6482dba78a2571623

Lots of information here

[Jumbopanda]

I don't have my gun yet, but I did a little bit of experimenting and found that Troy Battlemags are a bit more forgiving of fat bullets than PMags are. The alignment ribs in the Battlemags are rounded, and contact the bullets a bit farther forward than the PMag ribs. I have some Lee 230gr bullets that I seated to 2.05" and they load and unload just fine in the Battlemag, but when loaded into a PMag, they get bunched up and a bit misaligned. I believe AAC factory guns come with PMags, but then again, factory ammo tends to use jacketed bullets that are slimmer and pointier than cast bullets.

I really want to try the NOE 311365 bullet.

[Jb326]

I just use this:

73989

This looks like it is about my speed... And would work fine. Thanks!

[Jumbopanda]

This looks like it is about my speed... And would work fine. Thanks!

Well as you can see from the amount of brass dust around it, I've cut quite a few already. :-)

[Moonie]

My Lancer mags work perfectly with no modification with 155, 230 and 245/247 loads.

[Odinbreaker]

Is there any issue with fowling the gas port in semi auto rifles with cast bullets.

[Jupiter7]

Is there any issue with fowling the gas port in semi auto rifles with cast bullets.
I haven't had issue one with leading yet, gas checked or plain based with LLA sized .309. I figure I've maybe hit 2000fps max. Shot thousands in two different AR's.

[Jumbopanda]

I haven't had issue one with leading yet, gas checked or plain based with LLA sized .309. I figure I've maybe hit 2000fps max. Shot thousands in two different AR's.

What's your plain based load?

[Moonie]

I keep the plain based subsonic but should be ok to 1,400 or a little more, YMMV

[Jupiter7]

What's your plain based load?

My PB load is accurate 31-240e over 10.2grs little gun, decent crimp with FCD. Runs consistently at 1245fps. Prints 1-1.5ish at 100yds. Velocity is out of 10" barrel.

[sunburn]

What hardness for subsonic and for high velocity boolits?

[Jumbopanda]

My PB load is accurate 31-240e over 10.2grs little gun, decent crimp with FCD. Runs consistently at 1245fps. Prints 1-1.5ish at 100yds. Velocity is out of 10" barrel.

Nice, thanks.

[HMC710]

I just started breaking in my Lee TL309-230 5R Blackout boolit. Fired up the pot the other morning before work and hope to get back to it and see what they will do.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u155/tekwerk/300BLK001_zpsdfd1ef19.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/user/tekwerk/media/300BLK001_zpsdfd1ef19.jpg.html)

L-R: Lee 180, Lee 230, NOE 247
The Lee 180 1R needs a throat to chamber and the NOE is a bore rider. I run them from the Blackout and Tokarev's with 1:8 twist barrels and small charges of Lil'Gun. Hope to get some BO's loaded up and try out the new Lee soon......

[Jumbopanda]

My PB load is accurate 31-240e over 10.2grs little gun, decent crimp with FCD. Runs consistently at 1245fps. Prints 1-1.5ish at 100yds. Velocity is out of 10" barrel.

Also, how hard are your boolits? I can't seem to get a consistent answer regarding crimping; you say you get excellent accuracy with a "decent crimp", while others insist that crimping will deform cast boolits. I've read through numerous threads and the answers are always mixed.

[HMC710]

For my subsonic loads I run zero to very light crimp. On my 35 ARem I'm still experimenting with everything from zero to heavy crimp. On my Beowulf with 400gr FN and a stiff load of Lil Gun I run a hard crimp but not enough to deform the case mouth and affect headspace. The only consistent answer I have ever seen on crimping is "Do what it likes or needs." I would suggest the only wrong way to crimp was on a load that resulted in bullet movement before firing. Everything else will have an effect on consistency.

[Jupiter7]

Also, how hard are your boolits? I can't seem to get a consistent answer regarding crimping; you say you get excellent accuracy with a "decent crimp", while others insist that crimping will deform cast boolits. I've read through numerous threads and the answers are always mixed.

Ive run different alloys, mostly now 50/50 coww and range scrap water quenched tumble lubed, sized .309. I don't really treat subsonic 300blk like I do a rifle cartridge, more like a magnum handgun. I found the crazy ES numbers settled in with a crimp, I'd say its more crimp than warm 38spl and less than Ruger only 45 colt. I use the crimp groove, no bullet deformation. I'll also add, that the crimp took a load that wasn't at 100% function in an AR to full function with only change being crimp. Also tightened up groups by about 1/2. I'm convinced, I crimp everything now to some degree. No matter what, it'll all be in vein without proper fit, I got lucky that .309 works.

[hawaii five-0]

My 230 grain Lee mold casts boolits that are 0.3095-0.0310 on the band below the lube grooves. But the band above the lube grooves is only 0.3085. Not sure if that is typical, or acceptable. Still learning....

[Jumbopanda]

My 230 grain Lee mold casts boolits that are 0.3095-0.0310 on the band below the lube grooves. But the band above the lube grooves is only 0.3085. Not sure if that is typical, or acceptable. Still learning....

I had the same problem and got rid of the mold for that reason.

[tdd4570]

Is anyone running any flat nose boolits?
Something like a 309x165 ranchdog?
Will it feed from a mag?

Thanks

Dave

[Jupiter7]

Is anyone running any flat nose boolits?
Something like a 309x165 ranchdog?
Will it feed from a mag?

Thanks

Dave

I've run a NOE clone of the 311-165RD. If seated to first drive band, they are short(1.9ish). You'll get about 3 through a mag and then the recoil will force them forward in the mag, 3 point jam into top of chamber, this will not clear with charging handle. You have to drop the mag, work charging handle and it drops through magwell. Bad times. They will feed if they stay in the mag
correctly, I currently load them with bottom of boolit even with bottom of case neck(2.0"ish). This helps but still jams occasionally. Over 13.5grs lil gun, runs 1650fps(10" barrel), at 50yds I've gotten freehand cloverleafs. For hunting, loaded warmer and in a 16" barrel it'd be a good deer stomper, I'd most likely follow it up in the mag with something that feeds better.

[tdd4570]

Thanks

So, the flat nose doesn't pose a problem. The short nose length poses a problem.

I'm thinking about a blackout upper as a dedicated hog rig with cast.

Thanks again.

Dave

[Frozone]

Is anyone running any flat nose boolits?
Something like a 309x165 ranchdog?
Will it feed from a mag?


Been using the NOE 311-165. It feeds pretty well but has other problems in my 300.

I like the MP 311410 in a solid point. The ogive just fits behind the mag rib and it works well.

I also shoot the NOE 311-247, it has issues with the mag. But I've found that the cheap TAPCO mags are very easy to mod to work.

One problem that need to be fixed for All cast boolits was the very sharp feed ramp sides in the barrel extension.
They were so sharp they would cut into and jam a lead boolit. It literally would pinch it before it could ride up and into the chamber.

[Elkins45]

Is anyone running any flat nose boolits?
Something like a 309x165 ranchdog?
Will it feed from a mag?

Thanks

Dave

That boolet feeds 100% in my AR Stoner barrel and Brownells' mags. I tumble lube and seat them so the base is just even with the bottom of the neck.

[tdd4570]

Been using the NOE 311-165. It feeds pretty well but has other problems in my 300.

One problem that need to be fixed for All cast boolits was the very sharp feed ramp sides in the barrel extension.
They were so sharp they would cut into and jam a lead boolit. It literally would pinch it before it could ride up and into the chamber.

What problems does the 311-165 have?

What did you do the the feedramps to take care of this issue?

Thanks

Dave

[Frozone]

What problems does the 311-165 have?

What did you do the the feedramps to take care of this issue?

Thanks

Dave

That boolit is leading up the gas system badly - and I'm not sure why. The MP311410 and the NOE311247 work well.
50 rounds of NOE 311165 will lock up the bolt from lead deposits.

Hit the edges of the lugs with a cratex 'cone'; a little rounding of the sharp edges solved the feed problems.