Getting started...

[chiggerbyt]

My first post here and you will see rather soon I am a noobie at the cast scene.
I have cast some for my Makarov pistol and they have been great.
I want to hunt with my own cast "boolits" this fall. My rifles will be a Winchester 100 semi in .308 win., Remington 700 in 30/06 and a Savage bolt action 30/30.
My only mold: Lee C312-155-2R
only sizer Lee .309
Lube Alox liquid
gas checks Hornady 30cal.
melter Lee 10# electric
wheel weights and pure lead on hand
I have some experience in handloading with jacketed only in rifles but none with cast in rifles only the Makarov 95 grain Lee as stated above.
The season starts in Mid-November so I would like to get started towards working an acceptable hunting round for up to 150 yards max.

Any suggestions as to load, technique or just advice/pointers will be appreciated. Chig

I can change the Win 100 to a Win 88 real easy if that helps.

[wallenba]

It seems that you have the basic tools to get started. But I don't think you will get your rifle bullets hard enough with what you have on hand. I think your first hurtle will be in establishing the velocity limits your alloy imposes. More rifle guys will chime in later to help I'm sure. The WW and lead can definitely be worked up for the Makarov. I would recommend you read chapter 11 of 'Modern reloading' second edition by Richard Lee and get the 'Cast Bullet Handbook' from Lyman. http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?pageNum=1&tabId=11&categoryId=17765&categoryString=10614***15810*** http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?&tabId=11&categoryId=17764&categoryString=10614***15810***&brandId=1262 I know time is limited for you, but someone here has the info for sure.

[beemer]

You will need to flair the case mouth to accept a boolit without shaving, a Lyman M die works great for this.

Slug your bore to find out what sizer you need and start about 1 or 2 thousands over groove dia.

Might be best to start out with a bolt rifle first, you would not have to worry about the action cycling properly. The 30-30 is a natural, you can get close to factory with cast loads, but a 30-06 will do very well.

I cast for the Makarov too.

beemer

[chiggerbyt]

Thanks for the information so far. I will do some more research and proceed a step at a time. chig

[NickSS]

You can load acceptable loads for your 30-06 and 30-30 using the bullet you have a mold for. I have loaded 160 gr GC bullets cast from water quenched wheel weights that left the muzzle at 1900 to 200 fps in all three rifle calibers that you have. You should be able to do the same. Try the Lyman #47 or #48 reloading manual they have some good loads in it. I have only hunted deer with cast 30 cal bullets and only in a 30-30. As I recall the load I used was 29 gr of 3031 and a 160 gr cast slug. It worked well in my rifle.