7.62x39mm cast, two versions

[armoredman]

I couldn't help it - had to go. Had to try some more cast bullet loads in the 527M. This little rifle is sooooo much fun to shoot, it's incredible!

I had some newer loads with my own home cast 129 grain gas check, and some new ones from a 128.5 grain Lyman mold that a castboolits member had sent me to try. They LOOKED funny, as the short fat ogive bullets were not really meant for 7.62x39mm, and seated only halfway down the second lube band. Didn't seem to affect their performance! I also had my first actual BENCHED session with a small sandbag set up. Not as sturdy as I would like it, but that's coming. You know, if I get any more stuff to haul from the car to the shooting bench I am going to hire a native bearer! ;D Oh, wait, I'M the native! Bummer.

Starting with the cast boolits in the 527M.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/targets/cz52716114.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/targets/cz52716113.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/targets/cz52716112.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/targets/cz52716111.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/targets/cz52716115.jpg

Getting there! I want to get to MOA with cast boolits eventually. I will do it, and I'm getting closer! The 160 said 19 grains was top, I don't know about this lighter boolit, so i am going to be stepping off into unknown territory soon. Had a lot of blow back with the lighter loads, so it's not "oomphy" enough to completely seal it. Need to cast up more of the cool NOE ones and load up some more of the other version - such grand fun!

[chris in va]

Always fascinating, thanks for your efforts. If brass was more available and surplus ammo not so cheap, I'd be all over reloading for my 527.

[justingrosche]

Looking good Dave. Glad the Boolits worked out for you. Did the tin improve your Boolit fill out?
Justin

[Hardcast416taylor]

Always heard good things about that little rifle, your groups are proving that. Nice groups!Robert

[KYCaster]

I'm getting similar results with my 527 using a variety of boolit weights and powders.
From 95 gr. RN to 170 gr. 311407 with Unique, SR4759, WC680, Re7, IMR3031....they all give me decent results.

Fifty yd. groups rarely exceed 1 1/2" and 1" + or - minus a hair are common. A few teasers well under 1/2" keep me interested.

If you're not casting for your 527 you should be.

Jerry

[armoredman]

A pic of a few loads.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/casting%20stuff/IMG_2079.jpg

The NOE boolit is usally seated a bit farther out, that was one load left over from last testing cycle. You can see the difference in the fat ogive that makes both boolits seat shorter, but the performance seems to be just fine in the bolt gun. I didn't include the Lee 160 grainer as I think the 129 will work better.

[Rockydog]

I'm thinking of loading for a mini-30 with 311576s. Anyone know if I can get enough pressure to operate the mini-30 and still stay under the velocity parameters to hold leading to a minimum? Thoughts on straight lino to get pressures up and hold leading down, harder bullet/higher speeds? Also thinking of 311414 but don't know if they'll feed or not due to length. Thanks, RD

[KYCaster]

Armoredman, I have that NOE mold in a 4 cav. So far it looks like it's going to work very well. My best groups have been with 311407.

RD, I don't have any experience with the Ruger, but I've been at 2000+ fps with 92-6-2, ACWW and AC range scrap and leading has not been an issue for me. I'd be more concerned with damage on the feed ramp. If you're going to buy a mold, I'd lean toward the 311414 rather than the 311576 simply because the spire point should feed better. I recommend you take a good hard look at the NOE 129 SP or the Lee C312-155-2R(and hope you get one that casts .312+....I have to Beagle mine). Both have given me very good results.

Still lots of work to do, but so far it looks like Aliant 2400 for plinker loads and IMR3031 for speed.

Jerry

Oh, RE the Lee mold....mine drops .310, that may be fine for the Ruger's .308 barrel.

[HighHook]

I'm thinking of loading for a mini-30 with 311576s. Anyone know if I can get enough pressure to operate the mini-30 and still stay under the velocity parameters to hold leading to a minimum? Thoughts on straight lino to get pressures up and hold leading down, harder bullet/higher speeds? Also thinking of 311414 but don't know if they'll feed or not due to length. Thanks, RD

Rockydog the mini30 is great with cast. I use the lee 155. The mini30's seem to like the heavier lead to cycle to keep the velocity down. In testing with the 130's they were moving at over 1900+ to cycle.
Maybe we will get some better info down the line.

[armoredman]

I used the heavier boolits with the lighter loads in my vz-58 and it functioned. These lighter boolits I haven't tried in it yet, maybe tomorrow morning. :) Lighter boolit with a bit more powder behind it, might work very well in that very fun rifle.

[NHlever]

I think the Ruger Mini-30's have .311 groove diameters now so you probably will want to slug that bore. I do know they talked about moving away from the .308 bore tho they used it on the early mini-30's.

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

I have a 5 cav NOE 129 that drops 70% ww 30% Range scrap with a tad of tin at 131 gr and .3131. I have not had a chance to load any up yet for my AK which has a .3085 barrel.

I'm looking for about 1800 - 2000 fps . . .



[smilie=s:

[armoredman]

Updated photo with correct COALs
Lee is 2.2, NOE is 2.18, and Lyman is 2.10

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/casting%20stuff/currenthandloads762x39.jpg

[armoredman]

Back out today with some hotter loads. Blow by markings are decreasing, so I think I am approaching the loads sweet spot...but the groups are showing a LOT of promise!

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/527/527Mcast4.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/527/527Mcast3.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/527/527Mcast2.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/527/527cast1.jpg

Before I got started I warmed the barrel up with a j-word load on an interesting target I downloaded from Czech site, (naturally), a series of hostage targets. Well, the Czech SWAT sniper program has nothing to worry about from me...but this time only two got loose, and only one hostage, well, OK, maybe two got shot. Oops.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/527/527Mhostagetarget.jpg

[chris in va]

How is that Lee boolit working for you? I could never afford those more expensive Noe and Lyman molds. Tried the non-TL 155gr yet?

[JIMinPHX]

I'm thinking of loading for a mini-30 with 311576s. Anyone know if I can get enough pressure to operate the mini-30 and still stay under the velocity parameters to hold leading to a minimum? ...

On a mini 14 you can change the gas bushings to get the action to cycle with lower pressures. I assume that the mini 30 is the same, but I'm not sure about that.

Some mini-30s have .308 barrels & some have .311 barrels. You really need to slug to see what you have.

[armoredman]

The Lee works OK, just have to adjust POA up for the heavier boolit drop. That's why I got the NOE, and believe me, I lucked into that with a GREAT deal, otherwise I could never afford that kind of mold either. The point on that boolit is sharp enough to prick you, no joke.
I haven't tried the other Lee mold, I honestly do not know HOW to lube any other way than the LLA, and LLA is sooooo easy to use.

[Steve E]

Would it be possible to talk one of you very nice Gentlemen to making me about 100 of the NOE 129 gr boolits? I would be glad to pay for them and the shipping. I have a Mini MK X rifle and have just started casting for it but haven't tried that bullet and you know the story, don't want to buy a Mold if it doesn't like the boolits. I'll check this afternoon to see if I have any molds for it and if anyone would want to swap 100 bullets if they don't have the ones I do. Did I lay it on thick enough, LOL. Thanks.

Steve E..................

[armoredman]

Hmm running low on lead, I need to get some more WW ingots, but when I take vacation next week I might hit up the lead pot again. Well, I'll have to - I am going through these pretty quick! :)

[chris in va]

Anyone tried the Lee 155gr mold in their AK-47? I have a Saiga I'd like to shoot some through, now that I just ordered all the hardware.

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

Steve,

I have plenty of lead, but little time . . . I might be able to help you out . . . but, it may be a few weeks . . . if nobody else is able to help you out sooner.

- - - - - - - - -

Dan,

You need to build a boolit trap, reclaim that lead, and save some MORE money! 18" of shredded rubber mulch will stop mil-surp ammo . . . so will 4" of sand. Lots of ideas here http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=26627

Have you been enjoying our summer yesterday and today!

[armoredman]

I shoot at a public range, no boolit trap, and I confess - I don't smelt. I just try to buy WW ingots when I have cash. Missed a good deal not too long ago because I couldn't squeeze the nickel until the Indian was riding the buffalo.
Taking the vz-58 tomorrow, see how it likes this new 129 grain wonder. :)

[MikeS]

I recently got a Mini-30 that was made in 1995, but has spent it's life taking up space in a safe, I don't think it's ever been fired! I slugged the muzzle, and it came out at .3095 and was also able to just get in on a group buy of the NOE 129gr boolit. The only other 30 cal mould I have is a Lyman 311041 that drops boolits at .310, when I 'size' them, it's basically to lube them, and place a GC. For powder, I currently have Trail Boss, IMR 700X, and H4895.

Will I be able to load either of those boolits with one of my current powders with a load that will cycle the action, and not be so hot as to cause leading? If not, what would be a good powder that I could also use in a 30-30 Winchester model 94? I would prefer not having to have lots of different powders. I originally bought the H4895 when I first started back reloading (jacketed) a couple of years ago, and still have more than 1/2 of the 1lb bottle I bought then. I've been using 700X in my 45ACP 1911, and lately also Trail Boss in the ACP, as well as in 44Spec, 45LC, and the 30-30, all with cast lead boolits. I don't know if I could get away with using Trail Boss in the 7.62x39 and still get the action to cycle, but if I could that would be my preferred powder.

Thanks for any help/tips/info!

[gray wolf]

My Mini 14 will put brass into the next county,
at least 20 to 25 feet away from me. That's with Mill speck ammo and J word reloads.
6 or 7 years ago when I had a little money I got an adjustable gas block, $80 bucks at the time. It works off a little screw that limits the gas flow to the action.
I can close it down and the action need to be hand cycled or open it to drop the brass at my feet or 5,8 or 15 feet away from me.
It also helps with the barrel harmonics to a certain extent, which helps the accuracy.
The darn Mini 14 barrels are like a pasta noodle.
You can also get a set of 3 or 4 gas port bushings with different hole sizes.
They will also limit or exceed the gas flow to the action and are cheaper than a whole gas block. I am sure these things are available for the mini 30 now.
I would check with Accuracy systems and talk to Carl.
I often wonder about the lead bullets messing with the gas port and it's parts.
Can someone shed some light on this ??


Sam

[Bob Krack]

I haven't fired my SKS yet but Junior1942 did a terrific write up (on his site) that you can find by searching for Yugo or Yugo SKS using Junior1942 as the author and you will be amazed at his findings (I think).

He shoots a 170+ (178?) grain cast boolit.

Bob

[thebigmac]

[smilie=s: Hey Guys; Has anyone considered using Lyman 311410/.308-130gr.???

[bruce drake]

I use the 311410 in my 7.62x39 bolt rifle (rebarreled small-ring Mauser) and as long as I keep the velocity under 1600fps, the plainbase boolit works fine with my .308 bore.

Bruce