cast bullets in a semi-auto

[joshmb1982]

can cast bullets be used in such firearms as my ar15, m1a and my father rem7400?

in my reloading books it shows loading cast bullets to much slower then normal velocities. will this still reliably cycle the action?

can you make a lead/tin/antimony alloy hard enough to fire at typical rifle velocities(26-2800fps)?

[joshmb1982]

could you cast pure copper boolets in a cast iron or steel mold?

[Storydude]

Yes, you can fire Cast to 99% of jacketed levels.

the question is, would you want to? Lower power rounds can cycle semi autos just fine.

[joshmb1982]

thanks.

i was just wondering if in my m1a pushing a 160gr #2 alloy to 2300fps would still cyle it the same as pushing a 150gr fmj at 2600+fps? and same in me ar

[joshmb1982]

what is a #2 alloy?

[StarMetal]

thanks.

i was just wondering if in my m1a pushing a 160gr #2 alloy to 2300fps would still cyle it the same as pushing a 150gr fmj at 2600+fps? and same in me ar

You bet at 2300 fps it should work the action. That's not that far off the jacketed load you quoted.

Joe

[joshmb1982]

whats about the max velocity you can get with a lead alloy befor you start running into problems?

[KYCaster]

Check out Bruce B's sticky in the Military Rifles section. It covers everything you need to know about shooting cast in the M1A. He's already done ALL the work for you.

Jerry

[joshmb1982]

ah. didnt see that section. thanks.

[StarMetal]

whats about the max velocity you can get with a lead alloy befor you start running into problems?


That all depends on what rifle, what caliber, what alloy, what experience you have....and lots more. Not to scare you away. It can be done, but is hard. Also max velocity for say 30-30 isn't classified as say max velocity for the 30-06 or 300 Win mag. Low power cartridges are pretty easy to reach factory max velocity. The 30-30, 32 Special, 35 Remington, 30-40 Krag...just to name a few.

Joe

[JIMinPHX]

I've gotten cast boolits up over 3,000 fps with no leading, but accuracy was poor. I've gotten good accuracy up to around 2400fps so far & with a little more work, I expect to do better than that in the future.

[jonk]

As a starter, I'd say you should limit yourself to 2000fps to start and then start pushing the envelope. It will require harder alloys (generally speaking) high end lubes, etc.

I usually stay under 2000 fps for my bolt guns and for my semi autos about 2100 will work the action and not lead with felix lube and #2 alloy, water dropped and/or sometimes oven heat treated.

[joshmb1982]

what is water dropped?

[chris in va]

When you cast your boolits and drop them in a bucket of water. Hardens the lead surface.

[Firebricker]

#2 alloy is Lymans alloy mix they have a couple different recipes for it in the Lyman handbook.
Can't remember them off the top of my head but can look them up this evening if you need them. Check the vendor sponsers section and you can buy it ready to go. FB

[Oldtimer]

Lyman #2 alloy is 90% lead 5% tin and 5% antimony. Wheel weights, for the most part, are 95.25% lead 1/2% tin 4% antimony and 1/4% arsenic. Give or take. Bob