HectorFuego
10-12-2020, 01:46 PM
Okay, so I've dinked around with cast bullets for years but just recently I decided to do it right. Therefore, I have a lot of questions regarding .30 caliber cast bullets. All my questions relate to target shooting only. Here's what I have accumulated over the years.
Approximately 100 pounds of wheel weights, plus about 50 pounds of pure roofing lead and lead pipe.
At least 1000 .30 caliber gas checks.
Lee Liquid Alox lube.
Molds:
- Lee #90367 two cavity .309 160 grain
- Lee #90369 two cavity .309 180 grain
- Lee #90385 one cavity .312 155 grain
- Lyman #311299 2 cavity .309 200 grain
Sizing dies:
- Lee .308
- Lee .309
- Lee .311
Rifles:
- Remington 700 AAC SD tactical .308 Winchester with 1:10 twist, with muzzle break. Slugged bore mic's out at .3075.
- 03A3 Springfield in full military configurations, i.e. NOT sporterized. Slugged bore mic's out at .3092.
Seems to me that a good starting point for the Remington 700 would be the 200 grain Lyman bullet, sized to .309, gas checked, and tumble lubed over 16 grains of 2400 or a reduced load of H4895. I'll also try some 155 gr bullets sized to .309 that have been sitting in a box for several years. Please let my know it I'm way off base.
I've shot a lot of cast bullets through the Springfield with surprisingly good results - 2 inch groups at 100 yards with military iron sights - but that was before slugging the bore and the bullets used were sized .309 which resulted in some significant leading. Seems to me the .311 sizing die would reduce leading due to blow-by, but would that diameter be too big to be safe? Should I get a .310 sizer?
Also, the only mold that throws a bullet over .309 is the 155 grain Lee #90385, but that got me to thinking about paper patching. Could the 200 grain Lyman bullet be paper-patched to get it up to .311? If so, should I gas-check them before patching? Should I size them before patching? If I should size them, which sizer should I use?
Thanks for your help.
Hector
Approximately 100 pounds of wheel weights, plus about 50 pounds of pure roofing lead and lead pipe.
At least 1000 .30 caliber gas checks.
Lee Liquid Alox lube.
Molds:
- Lee #90367 two cavity .309 160 grain
- Lee #90369 two cavity .309 180 grain
- Lee #90385 one cavity .312 155 grain
- Lyman #311299 2 cavity .309 200 grain
Sizing dies:
- Lee .308
- Lee .309
- Lee .311
Rifles:
- Remington 700 AAC SD tactical .308 Winchester with 1:10 twist, with muzzle break. Slugged bore mic's out at .3075.
- 03A3 Springfield in full military configurations, i.e. NOT sporterized. Slugged bore mic's out at .3092.
Seems to me that a good starting point for the Remington 700 would be the 200 grain Lyman bullet, sized to .309, gas checked, and tumble lubed over 16 grains of 2400 or a reduced load of H4895. I'll also try some 155 gr bullets sized to .309 that have been sitting in a box for several years. Please let my know it I'm way off base.
I've shot a lot of cast bullets through the Springfield with surprisingly good results - 2 inch groups at 100 yards with military iron sights - but that was before slugging the bore and the bullets used were sized .309 which resulted in some significant leading. Seems to me the .311 sizing die would reduce leading due to blow-by, but would that diameter be too big to be safe? Should I get a .310 sizer?
Also, the only mold that throws a bullet over .309 is the 155 grain Lee #90385, but that got me to thinking about paper patching. Could the 200 grain Lyman bullet be paper-patched to get it up to .311? If so, should I gas-check them before patching? Should I size them before patching? If I should size them, which sizer should I use?
Thanks for your help.
Hector