Plain based an RCBS 130 gr. , 30 cal. spire pt.

[Ben]

A few months ago, I bought a nice clean RCBS 2 cav.,30 cal.rifle mold from Beagle.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?192963-RCBS-30-cal-130-gr

I've shot some pretty good groups with the gas checked bullet out of my 308 Win., Springfield 1903 - A3, bench rifle.

Today , I decided that I couldn't stand it anymore,........... I just had to plain base one of the cavities.

When the work was finished removing the g/c shank, the bullets from the cavity that had been plain based came out just about perfect. The base of the bullet measures a nice round .3135 " now.

Sizes real well to .3115" I loaded some of these today in some Win. commercial, 308 Win. cases with 8.2 grs. of American Select. Hopefully this rain will stop and I can get to the range and try these out.

Ben

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/003-60.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/005-42.jpg

Here they are lubed, sized and ready to load :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/006-42.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/007-40.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/008-35.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/011-28.jpg

[1Shirt]

Very nice Ben! Post test results!
1Shirt!

[Ben]

1Shirt :

I certainly will !

This one might work out to be a good little " lead saver."

Many thanks,
Ben

[bones37]

Ben,

I certainly hope they perform well for You! Please do post test results. I always look forward to reading any of Your post, especially those that pertain to Plain based boolits.
bones.

[Ben]

bones37

I never thought that I would have taken the interest in making and shooting .30 cal. plain base cast bullets the way I have in the past 3 years. It has been fun and I've learned a lot.

Ben

[Catshooter]

Sweet. What method of machining did you use Ben?

I have a couple of Lyman 311359s which look very similar. I've thought about performing a checkectomy on one of 'em for the same reason.

I was getting set to do this/use these boolits in my M39 Finn when I got interrupted by having to move once again. Hoping to get back to it this summer, but I'm not sure I'll be able to.


Cat

[Jailer]

Very interested in your results. I've been eyeballing that mold for a while for my 300 blk bolt gun for the same reason you purchased it, I need a light plain base plinker mold.

[Ben]

Sweet. What method of machining did you use Ben?

I have a couple of Lyman 311359s which look very similar. I've thought about performing a checkectomy on one of 'em for the same reason.

I was getting set to do this/use these boolits in my M39 Finn when I got interrupted by having to move once again. Hoping to get back to it this summer, but I'm not sure I'll be able to.


Cat

Sounds unreliable, but I use a regular drill press and a .312" dia. drill bit.

It usually takes me 30 minutes or so to set up things. ( You don't want to get in a hurry with a $90 bullet mold hanging in limbo ! ) The secret is controlling the depth the bit plunges into the mold cavity and the vertical perpendicular alignment of the bit. I check the alignment of the bit " cross - ways to Sunday " before I ever begin to turn on the drill press. Also notice that the mold is held in a vise. That vise IS NOT attached to the drill press platform in any way. It can slide and " float " as the bit enters the mold cavity.

I've done about 7 or 8 molds now and have had very good results on every one of them. You also need the drill press turning the bit at a slow speed.

My final check prior to turning on the drill press is to go 360 degrees around the drill bit with a small 90 degree square that sits on the top of the mold blocks to make a final check on vertical alignment of the drill bit.

Once I'm satisfied that the bit is set for the proper depth with the stop on the drill press and I have as near vertical alignment as possible with the bit, I drill the gas check shank out.

I hope this is a help to you.

Ben

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Drill%20Press/PICT0006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Drill%20Press/PICT0005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Drill%20Press/PICT0004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Drill%20Press/PICT0003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Drill%20Press/PICT0002.jpg

I'm very happy with the " finished product ".

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/003-60.jpg

[longbow]

Not quite the same but I have a Mihec 311410 PB coming (eventually) for much the same reasons... cheap on lead, light on recoil, doesn't need a lot of powder.

I have been leaning towards lighweight boolits for general shooting and plinking in both my .44 and .303's. I am enjoying it and saving lead and powder doing it.

I will look forward to your posted targets. Your targets always make me jealous!

Nice work again Ben!

Longbow

[Newtire]

I have that RCBS mould and it really is one accurate little number in my experience using gas checks. I used 17.5-18.0 grains of SR4759. On the other hand, I had that little 130 grain 31410 mould intended for the M-1 Carbine and never got it to shoot worth beans.

[Ben]

Newtire

I've owned a pair of 311410's in the past ( one was a flat plain base and the other was a bevel base ) . I must of been shooting them during the wrong phase of the moon or something ? ? No joy for me with that mold.

Ben

[Mk42gunner]

Ben,

Since you still have one cavity with a gas check shank, any plans to compare PB vs. GC accuracy?

Robert

[Catshooter]

Ben,

I suppose some would think your method scary, but to me, it's results that count. Seven or eight moulds that cast well post-surgery is all you need for validation as far as I can tell.

I think, looking at your set up that having the vise not bolted down is one of your key steps. That would allow the cavity to self-center onto the drill bit as you feed it in.

Nice work!


Cat

[Ben]

That would allow the cavity to self-center onto the drill bit as you feed it

My thoughts exactly !

Ben

[Ben]

Double post....sorry.

[Ben]

Ben,

Since you still have one cavity with a gas check shank, any plans to compare PB vs. GC accuracy?

Robert

Why not ? ? Seems reasonable to me...........

I've already shot the bullet with a g/c on it. Fairly impressive out of my Springfield 1903 - A3 , 308 Win.

My friend Bryan shot this 5 round group at 40 yards with metallic sights from my Springfield 1903 - A3 , 308 Win. , 8.3 grs. American Select was the propellant.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/download-1.jpg

[longbow]

Well, I hope the Mihec 311410 shoots better than the Lyman version that you guys tried. This one is slightly different in that it has a hollow point/flat point option and when I modeled it for cbrick I added a 0.100" full groove diameter section in front of the crimp groove. The intent was alignment in the throat. We will see how that works out I guess.

You certainly have this RCBS boolit shooting well with gas check! Now to see how it does plain base. If your past work is any indication, I am expecting one hole groups again.

Longbow

[Ben]

Well, I hope the Mihec 311410 shoots better than the Lyman version that you guys tried. This one is slightly different in that it has a hollow point/flat point option and when I modeled it for cbrick I added a 0.100" full groove diameter section in front of the crimp groove. The intent was alignment in the throat. We will see how that works out I guess.

You certainly have this RCBS boolit shooting well with gas check! Now to see how it does plain base. If your past work is any indication, I am expecting one hole groups again.

Longbow

Your changes that have been made may " do the trick " for you with the Mihec 311410.

For me, it looked like it should shoot, .......it just didn't ? ?

Ben

[EMC45]

Great post and photos.

[Ben]

Great post and photos.

Thanks,

I hope they will shoot as good as they look.

Ben

[L1A1Rocker]

Newtire

I've owned a pair of 311410's in the past ( one was a flat plain base and the other was a bevel base ) . I must of been shooting them during the wrong phase of the moon or something ? ? No joy for me with that mold.

Ben

That's been the results of a lot of folks. The Miha boolit is a bit modified that should help the accuracy issue. The bullet is lengthened a bit adding a forward driving band. I'm very hopeful. . .

[Newtire]

Keep us all posted L1A1. Adding the extra band should make it shoot I'd think.

[longbow]

I'm hoping so!

Maybe I should just get Ben to find a good used mould, like he seems to be able to do regularly, and have him drill the gas check shank out. Only problem is I need 0.315" driving bands and they aren't too common.

Ah, I am in it for the long haul and Miha should be done soon and those brass Cramer moulds are BEAUTIFUL!

Maybe my old #5 Lee Enfield and the Mihec 311410 will give Ben a run for his money! Hah! Everyone know spire point boolits don't shoot!

Longbw

[Ben]

I used Ben's method to PB an old Lee SC today. I used a new cobalt 5/16" bit, lowest spindle speed on my drill press and the bit was only snug in the chuck. The resultant base band seems pretty round, but closer to .315" as cast diameter. I ran a few through my .311" die and they look fine.

Send them down range and let's see what they will do ?

Ben

[Jailer]

Any shooting results with the plain base boolits yet?

[Ben]

Not yet. Rains everyday here ? ?