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Thread: Successful cast in an AR

  1. #1
    Boolit Master


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    Successful cast in an AR

    I been wanting an AR platform to shoot cast in for quite a while.

    I have a 9mm and might be building a 45 ACP soon.

    However I want a bigger thumper.

    I bought a BCA 300 Blackout upper that won't shoot ANY cast bullet I've run though it. I have some gas checked bullets on the bench to try in it next.

    So my real question is what cartridge, other than pistol, have you have success with in an AR?

    350 Legend?
    450 Bushmaster?

    Those are the two I'm really looking at right now. I want a load that will function the rifle and keep around 2" accuracy at 100 yards.

    Or should I build a 10mm rather than a 45 ACP?

    Thanks!
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  2. #2
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    I bought the Ruger AR 450 Bushmaster and have had some luck with cast.
    Here is the MP 45-320 Ruger Only PCd with HF Red and Kawasaki Green, loaded with IMR4227

  3. #3
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    Last fall I built an AR-15 in 7.62 by 39 mm. With its one in 10 inch twist it was brilliant with cast from the get-go. Not really the definition of a thumper, but definitely above the 300 Blackout or the 5.56 mm. this group was fired at 40 yards; the same load would shoot three shots into one and a half inch at a hundred yards. A good friend talked me out of it for profit so it is gone now. If I build another one it will be with a lighter weight Barrel. I'm sure I won't jack around with the Oddball 350 Legend, but the 450 Bushmaster certainly is interesting. By the way that 7.62 by 39 mm was Flawless in operation and would even shoot the cheap steel case Russian ammo very well.

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  4. #4
    Boolit Master mehavey's Avatar
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    However I want a bigger thumper.
    See http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...=1#post4806699
    is 350 Legend/240gr/357 cal OK?

  5. #5
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    I have cast success with 300BO, 7.62x40WT, 300HAMR, 458 Socom, 450 Bushmaster, 7.62x39, .30HRT, 223Rem. If you can't get a 300BO to work well you probably need to work on your casting and loading method.
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  6. #6
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    try the rcbs 130 spitzer gas check bullet in your 300. It shoots inch and a half 5 shot groups at a 100 out of my 16 inch ar and does at least the same at 50 out of my two ar pistols in 300. Cast them hard and use a gas check. They run right at 2000 fps out of my 16 inch gun. By the way they were all pc'd. Maybe not moa but plenty good for casual work.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by blikseme300 View Post
    I have cast success with 300BO, 7.62x40WT, 300HAMR, 458 Socom, 450 Bushmaster, 7.62x39, .30HRT, 223Rem. If you can't get a 300BO to work well you probably need to work on your casting and loading method.
    Thanks for the smart assed comment.

    My casting and loading process is just fine.

    I have a 300 BO barrel that just won't shoot cast. I've tried over 70 different loads through it and none of them will group.
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  8. #8
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    I like to try that RCBS 130 but it appears they have discontinued that mold. It's no longer offered on their website.

    I'd order a gas checked mold from NOE or MP but they are both out of molds too.
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  9. #9
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    Just a thought, have you tried J words to see if it is just cast or maybe the barrell?
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    I agree with you about that comment being uncalled for, he doesn't know all the facts about your situation.

    I never saw your response on the slugged diameter of your barrel.

    try loading the largest boolit that fits and go between 16 and 20 BHN and let us know how that works. some barrels can just be stubborn.

    I had the get my AR 300 BO rifle barrel throated because my sub and fat boolits had to be seated deep to go into battery, they fit fine in my pistol length barrel.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master gnostic's Avatar
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    I have a theory about semi auto's, AR's, Mini 14/30, Garand and HK91. I haven't been able to make mine shoot lead accurately, no matter what load I tried. I'm convinced bad things happen when the bullet passes the gas port. I'm in the process of assembling a 9mm, blowback AR upper, I'll see how that goes. With military bolt, or lever action rifles, lead shoots as well as jacketed....
    Last edited by gnostic; 06-27-2020 at 03:00 PM.

  12. #12
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    AR-10 chassis
    100 yards offhand with a 4x scope
    fireforming necked-up 22-250 brass into 6.5 Creedmoor
    25gr IMR 4895 using Lyman's 266455 127gr louverin bullet gas-checked and polycoated.
    last 9 shots of a 50 shot string of fire for the day.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_1814.jpg  
    I Cast my Boolits, Therefore I am Happy.
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  13. #13
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    Same 6.5 CReedmoor AR10
    First 15 shots for the morning for fireforming brass.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_1811.jpg  
    I Cast my Boolits, Therefore I am Happy.
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  14. #14
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    https://www.amazon.com/RCBS-82022-Bu.../dp/B0063I605C also available as a back order from midway and optics planet.
    Quote Originally Posted by Burnt Fingers View Post
    I like to try that RCBS 130 but it appears they have discontinued that mold. It's no longer offered on their website.

    I'd order a gas checked mold from NOE or MP but they are both out of molds too.

  15. #15
    Boolit Grand Master popper's Avatar
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    2 308W AR10s, 2 300BO ar15 (one is pistol) no problems with cast in any. B.F. I go to the Garland range, we could probably get together and sort out the problem.
    Whatever!

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Minerat View Post
    Just a thought, have you tried J words to see if it is just cast or maybe the barrell?
    It will shoot jacketed and plated just fine.

    I've shot some pure lino through it with the same problems.

    I've been attempting to use plain base boolits. I have the RCBS mold on order. I had been looking at the list at RCBS.com in the 30 cal section....duh...it's a 7.62.

    Once I have that mold on hand I'll cast some up and see if the gas checked versions work. I went ahead and ordered some copper checks from Sage, I had some aluminum ones on hand but wanted to shoot both.

    The barrel slugs at .308, I'm sizing to .310.
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  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by gnostic View Post
    I have a theory about semi auto's, AR's, Mini 14/30, Garand and HK91. I haven't been able to make mine shoot lead accurately, no matter what load I tried. I'm convinced bad things happen when the bullet passes the gas port. I'm in the process of assembling a 9mm, blowback AR upper, I'll see how that goes. With military bolt, or lever action rifles, lead shoots as well as jacketed....
    The HK 91 doesn't have a gas port.

    My Ruger PCC and my PSA 10" pistol eat my cast boolits like a fat kid on candy.
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  18. #18
    Boolit Master Dapaki's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by gnostic View Post
    I have a theory about semi auto's, AR's, Mini 14/30, Garand and HK91. I haven't been able to make mine shoot lead accurately, no matter what load I tried. I'm convinced bad things happen when the bullet passes the gas port. I'm in the process of assembling a 9mm, blowback AR upper, I'll see how that goes. With military bolt, or lever action rifles, lead shoots as well as jacketed....
    Nope, I dont think so....

    Click image for larger version. 

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  19. #19
    Boolit Master mehavey's Avatar
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    Dapaki.... Load/Rifle/Range details please (!)
    (Inquiring minds want to know)







    post: nice dial calipers.
    (in joke from another board)

  20. #20
    Boolit Master


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    Has anyone ran the 350 Legend in a 10" barrel?

    Or the 450 BM?
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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check