newbie questions

[sucngas]

I'm sorry. I know this has been asked a hundred times, but I was unable to locate it with a search. I plan on casting for a couple of enfields. One slugged at .314, the other at .311. The last slugged at .318, so I won't even worry about it til later. I need to order a mold, sizers, and figure out a way to install gas checks on these. I planned on ordering a .312 lee mold, which should drop almost (fingers crossed) large enough to work with the .314, or could be beagled to work. I could then size down for the smaller bore. What would be the best way to install a gas check for the .314. Will the .314 lee sizer work to install a 30 cal gas check. Would I be better off trying shooting them without a gas check. I plan on using 18 grains of 2400 for now. Would I be better off with a .324 mold, then size to 314? If so, what do you do for a gas check? I'm sorry, I know these are complete newbie questions. Thanks for your patience and help.

[405]

I don't have a fat 30-31 type rifle. But I'd almost bet the 312 mold would be lucky to drop any larger than 312 diameter. Chances may be better that it would drop something less than 312. So in the 314 groove bore it won't work so well, with or without a gas check. That leaves you with casting for the .311 groove gun. The gas checks are pretty much standard ID.... but the gas check shank may end up anything within plus or minus a couple thou. of the ideal gas check diameter depending on the alloy... the same thing that can affect the cast diameter of the bullet. It becomes a catch 22 situation. If all works well then the gas check shank will be ideal diameter and the checks will just slip fit on and can easily be "crimped" on when passed thru the sizer. Maybe a 50-50 chance at perfect fit.

The best mold for both the 314 and 311 may be the Lyman 314299. Then you could adjust alloy (standard based on Lyman #2) so the check fits just right AND the bullets could be sized to either 311 or 314. That may be the best chance for success.

A 324 mold may be too much oversized and cause some problems.

[243winxb]

My guess on how to do it , from reading here. C324-175-1R Size with lee dies, push thru nose first, metal rod on the base of the bullet w/GS single stage press.

[243winxb]

Read this , might help http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=68004

[Bloodman14]

When my 314299 Mod GB mold from Swede gets in, I'll cast you a dozen for you to try. PM me your address, I'll keep it handy. It should do well in your .314, the .318, I don't know.

[sucngas]

Thanks everyone for the input and offers. I have decided to go ahead with a .312 mold. I have read several reviews, and they seem to be dropping about .3135 bullets. If necessary, I coud beagle it, at least for a trial run to see if it works. From what I understand a .314 sizer would work to install the gas check, even though it really wouldn't be sizing the bullet. I know it will work in the one enfield, as well as several of my mosins. Then, if the accuracy isn't up to par with the other, then I guess I'll have to get another mold. Thanks again for the insight. The weirdest thing is, I re-inspected that slug that came from the .318 bore. It is a two groove barrel (so it might not work well with cast bullets anyways), and shot very well with jacketed bullets. But the barrel seems to be somewhat elliptical. The grooves measure .318, but measured 90 degrees off the grooves on the lands, it was a measely .304. The grooves really don't look that deep. Kind of got me scratching my head a little with that one. I'll experiment a little and I'll post back if I have any luck. I'm thinking I may have to paper patch for the large bore.

[docone31]

Here is where paper patching for the Enfield comes in handy!
I size to .308, then wrap, then size to .314. Works in my Enfield. Wonderfully accurate. Full house loads.
Paper patching is simple, works well!
You might give it some consideration.
I forgot.
I use the Lee C312-1850-1R mold.

[runfiverun]

my 314299 only comes out at 313 [barely] with ww alloy.
lyman makes a nice loverign that my 314 enfield and 7.7 jap likes,with a harder 4/6/90 alloy.
i size and check the 314299 to 313 for my argie.

[Nora]

Another option for the "fat 30's" is an NEI mold. They offer molds in both .316 and .318". I got the opportunity to cast up a few thousand rounds for my over sized MN's with one. Very easy to work with and something I will be looking into getting for myself when my current supply starts to dwindle.
http://www.neihandtools.com/


Nora

[405]

sucngas,
Well I hope that Lee 312 mold works for you. IF you get it to drop at .3135 then hope you can get the gas checks on. I have that mold, one of only two Lee molds I own. The alignment between the blocks is off about .001-2 so I guess I could say it drops a lopsided Beagled bullet (the other, a roundball mold, is even farther out of alignment!). Anyway, I run the lopsided Lee 312 bullet through a .310 sizer and it barely touches the high sides. Good luck

[sucngas]

I figure it's not too big of risk. I have a few guns that need a .309 bullet as well. So if it doesn't work, I will size them down for those, and get the .314 lyman mold. I'll post my results.

[sucngas]

Good news. I tried the Lee .312, and it dropped bullets at .314, perfectly round. I haven't had a chance to load any yet, I will post the results when I do. The bullets look promising.

[WHITETAIL]

You made out fine.:lol:
Most of my moulds are either small
or just to size.
Sometimes you just get lucky![smilie=w: