Who shoots cast competition?

[Wolfdog91]

Anyone shoot cast benchrest, or any other competitions that are won on accuracy? If sho what are you shooting ? How far ? What's the load process ? Alloys molds yadda yadda yadda , and pictures please I'm beyond curious

[M-Tecs]

This should answer some of your questions

https://castbulletassoc.org/benchrest-rules

https://castbulletassoc.org/benchrest-records

BPCR is shoot out to a 1,000 yards.

https://www.bpcr.net/

https://competitions.nra.org/documents/pdf/compete/silh-natpdf/13-bpcrs-bpcr.pdf

https://loaddata.com/articles/PDF/match%20BPCR.pdf

http://longrangebpcr.com/

http://www.mtrpa.org/index.php/discplines/black-powder-cartridge-rifle

[flatnose]

Anyone shoot cast benchrest, or any other competitions that are won on accuracy? If sho what are you shooting ? How far ? What's the load process ? Alloys molds yadda yadda yadda , and pictures please I'm beyond curious

I shoot lever action silhouette for the past 12 yrs. Although it can be shot with jacketed most shooters use cast boolits. Lots of shooters including myself use the 38-55 cartridge as it thrives on cast boolits. 50,100,150 and 200 meters. For the pistol cartridge lever guns 32-20,357,25-20 are popular . It is great sport and if you try it most of you will love it.

[El Gato]

Hi Wolfdog,

I regularly shoot CMP style HiPower Matches using old Military rifles at 200 and 300 yards.

I find that for 30 caliber rifle bullets the Lyman 314299 is hard to beat. It works well in the 30-40 Krag, 7,62x54R and 7,65 Mauser.

My standard load is 21 grains of Shooter's world Buffalo Rifle powder or AA5744.

For 8mm I like the Lyman 165 grain bullet and the Lee Maximum mold for the Gew 1888 rifle.

Cast can do amazing at longer distances.

Best of Luck!

[cwtebay]

Yes I do. I load with basic practices.
I lean towards harder BHN.
550 yards with 30 caliber in the picture.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220225/aca2b5f73859b0241357456a374cbe6d.jpg

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[414gates]

Cast bullets are used in competitions that mandate cast bullets only.

For the rest, cast bullets are at a disadvantage over jacketed swaged.

You won't see cast bullets in F-Class, for example.

[hawkenhunter50]

BPCR silhouette. Shooting a CPA Stevens 44 1/2 chambered in 40-65. 200-500 meters distance. Load process is cast 409400 BACO bullets with 20:1 alloy. Pan lube with Emmert's improved lube. Weigh and then drop tube Swiss 2F black powder into case. Load .06 vegetable fibre wad. Run into compression die. Hand seat bullet. Lots of fun although I am not very good at it yet.

Also plan on trying levergun silhouette at least once this coming season.

[high standard 40]

I've been shooting handgun silhouette for the past 20 years using exclusively cast bullets. I wanted to see just how far I could go with cast.
A few years ago I won the regional Championship in an Unlimited category using cast in an XP100. That entry was decided in a three-way shoot-off. This was from a freestyle position, no sandbags or any other kind of rest. The other two shooters were using factory jacketed, one I know for sure was using Sierra Match-kings. The 10-shot shoot-off involved targets as small as the palm of your hand at 200 yards. I knocked down 8 out of 10 for the win. The next closest shooter managed only 5 if I remember correctly. Cast can be very accurate. I have managed 10 shot groups at 200 yards of about 6" with cast using iron sights. Scoped 100 yard groups on paper targets of about an inch with the XP are not uncommon with cast. To reach that level you have to pay close attention to details, starting with alloy selection and every aspect thereafter until the bullet leaves the barrel.

[gunarea]

Lawnsteel! 296749 Closest target 52 yds. Iron sights, reclined. 296750 Accurate ammunition is a must. Cast projectiles are used almost exclusively. We play for nickels. Too rich?296752 There are two, six station lines. There are times when available target is less than 1" @ 190'.

[sundog]

Several clubs in Oklahoma conduct Military Bolt Action Bench Rest matches monthly. In October they meet at one of the clubs for a State Shoot Off, including a traveling trophy and braggin' rights. Great bunch of people that have grown into a family of sorts. We have no sponsors nor sanctioning body, although most, if not all matches are run by certified RSOs and safety is rigidly practiced. We do have a set of published rules. These matches have been ongoing for almost 30 years!

Course of fire is 100 yards on SR-21 targets (and centers); 10 minute sighter followed by two(2) 10-round, 10-minute group targets, then three(3) 10-round, 10-minute score targets.

Match fees are minimal ($5-$10). Awards are for small group (usually $1), high score (usually $1), and high aggregate (usually $5). Clubs make a few bucks to cover target cost and support range operations, and competitors have a darn good time.

Having a good time in good fellowship is what it all about.

Typical equipment includes an 'as issued' military center fire bolt action rifle (03/03A3, Swedish Mauser, K31, Enfield, Nagant, etc.), rest, spotting scope, 'eyes and ears' PPE, timer, and items of that nature. Ammo is personal choice legal for the range. SOME PREFER CAST! I personally have a CMP 03A3 that has somewhere approaching 10K rounds of cast through it and shoots as well now as ever.

[sukivel]

Several clubs in Oklahoma conduct Military Bolt Action Bench Rest matches monthly. In October they meet at one of the clubs for a State Shoot Off, including a traveling trophy and braggin' rights. Great bunch of people that have grown into a family of sorts. We have no sponsors nor sanctioning body, although most, if not all matches are run by certified RSOs and safety is rigidly practiced. We do have a set of published rules. These matches have been ongoing for almost 30 years!

Course of fire is 100 yards on SR-21 targets (and centers); 10 minute sighter followed by two(2) 10-round, 10-minute group targets, then three(3) 10-round, 10-minute score targets.

Match fees are minimal ($5-$10). Awards are for small group (usually $1), high score (usually $1), and high aggregate (usually $5). Clubs make a few bucks to cover target cost and support range operations, and competitors have a darn good time.

Having a good time in good fellowship is what it all about.

Typical equipment includes an 'as issued' military center fire bolt action rifle (03/03A3, Swedish Mauser, K31, Enfield, Nagant, etc.), rest, spotting scope, 'eyes and ears' PPE, timer, and items of that nature. Ammo is personal choice legal for the range. SOME PREFER CAST! I personally have a CMP 03A3 that has somewhere approaching 10K rounds of cast through it and shoots as well now as ever.

Where are these at? Any links?


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[dverna]

Several clubs in Oklahoma conduct Military Bolt Action Bench Rest matches monthly. In October they meet at one of the clubs for a State Shoot Off, including a traveling trophy and braggin' rights. Great bunch of people that have grown into a family of sorts. We have no sponsors nor sanctioning body, although most, if not all matches are run by certified RSOs and safety is rigidly practiced. We do have a set of published rules. These matches have been ongoing for almost 30 years!

Course of fire is 100 yards on SR-21 targets (and centers); 10 minute sighter followed by two(2) 10-round, 10-minute group targets, then three(3) 10-round, 10-minute score targets.

Match fees are minimal ($5-$10). Awards are for small group (usually $1), high score (usually $1), and high aggregate (usually $5). Clubs make a few bucks to cover target cost and support range operations, and competitors have a darn good time.

Having a good time in good fellowship is what it all about.

Typical equipment includes an 'as issued' military center fire bolt action rifle (03/03A3, Swedish Mauser, K31, Enfield, Nagant, etc.), rest, spotting scope, 'eyes and ears' PPE, timer, and items of that nature. Ammo is personal choice legal for the range. SOME PREFER CAST! I personally have a CMP 03A3 that has somewhere approaching 10K rounds of cast through it and shoots as well now as ever.

That sounds like fun!!!

[sundog]

Where are these at? Any links?

Oil Capital just north of Coweta. Next match is 9 am, Sat, 3/12, unless canceled for weather.

These matches are also conducted at OKC Gun Club and Tri-city Gun Club. Off and on over the years other clubs have participated (Red Castle, Muskogee, Lawton/Fort Sill, maybe a few others).

[Jack Stanley]

It's been twenty-six years since I shot benchrest at Ypsilanti . Used a Remington 700 "Police" rifle in .308 I think the rifle was a left over from a Marine contract but it shot well . LBT mold , I forget what lube but likely was LBT , hard lead 18 BHN or so . Powder was Reloder seven , Winchester primers .

Scope was a Redfield six to eighteen power normally used the twelve power setting depending on mirage .

Jack

[Larry Gibson]

Prior to the last couple COVD years I would travel (200+ miles one way) over to Ben Avery Range north of Phoenix 3-4 times a year for some localized CBA matches. I mostly shot in military rifle with scope Using my Finn SAKO built M39 in 7.62x54R. I used a 314299 over 4895 with a dacron filler. I won the Arizona State matches with that rifle 3 years. We shot for score at 100 and 200 yards. Here's a 10 shot 100 yard target from one match.

296754

I also shot a couple commercial rifle matches with my M70 target rifle in 308W. They shoot for score at 100 and 200 yards using the CBA score target. I've been wanting to attend another match with the M70 with this 30 XCB bullet loaded over 2400. Targets were at 100 yards with bottom left being the sighter target, then two top target having five shots each. Bottom right target is ten shots. Maybe soon.....

296755

[Green Frog]

I’m surprised no one has mentioned the American Single Shot Rifle Association (ASSRA). Their rules demand lead alloy bullets, no jackets, no half jackets, no gas checks even!

Their National events are shot at 200 yd ranges, both offhand and from the bench. If you want to win a bench match at Beeson’s Range (home of their National events) you’d better plan on being able to shoot quarter sized groups to win consistently and half dollar sized just to be in the running.

My bench gun is a limited production Peregrine with a Douglas Premium barrel. It was built by the late Charlie Dell.

Froggie

[Shuz]

I have been shooting in CBA competition for over 30 yearsand find it quite enjoyable. At our club we shoot at 100 yards only. Our couse consists of 4/ea targets of 5 shots each for group.Next is 2/ea targets of 10 shots each, also for group. The last is 4/ea targets of 5 shots with 1 shot at each bull for score..Most of the folks shoot bolt actions in the .308 Winchester cartridge. There's a few oddballs that shoot other cartridges. I choose to shoot a .250 Savage in a bolt action Savage. I also have used a Remington 700 Classic in .250 Savage. I have enjoyed shooting many different bullet designs in that little cartridge. My latest trial has been with the NOE 260-105-FN. A friend sent me 100 to try and I found a load that gave me a .828" 5 shot group at 100 yards, so I had to buy that mould to see if that group was a fluke. I ordered the mould on Monday 2/21/22 and received it 2/24/22. Now, thats what I call service!
Wish me luck as I plan on using this design at our next match on March 19th.

[Dave C.]

I shoot a hand gun not a hands gun.

[barnabus]

Anyone shoot cast benchrest, or any other competitions that are won on accuracy? If sho what are you shooting ? How far ? What's the load process ? Alloys molds yadda yadda yadda , and pictures please I'm beyond curious

I shoot a 30BR cast bullet pistol with a 36X Leupold.We shoot 100 and 200 yards I Shoot a 180 grain linotype bullet.

[dverna]

WD,

If you can, get into competitive shooting. It will make you a better shooter. If you cast and reload, it will make you better at those skills as well.

You will also see reality instead of the cherry-picked groups normally shown. The record 10 shot group for cast is .575 for Production Rifle. (BTW the best 4 group average was .706) That is the best group(s) ever recorded in over 20 years of competition. I have learned to ignore most reports when I smell the BS. Like when folks report regular MOA with .22 cal cast...LOL.
Below is a link you may find interesting.

https://castbulletassoc.org/10%20shot%20National%20Records%2009-29-2022.pdf


But back to what matters. Shoot competitively if you can afford the time and the cost. You will improve your abilities much faster. Even local competitions are great challenges and fun events. I have been fortunate to be able to attend state, provincial, regional and national matches. The side benefit is you get to meet some great people who are also serious shooters.

Cost is not bad unless your get really serious and reach the level where equipment matters.

JUST DO IT!!! You will not regret it.

[high standard 40]

WD,

If you can, get into competitive shooting. It will make you a better shooter. If you cast and reload, it will make you better at those skills as well.

You will also see reality instead of the cherry-picked groups normally shown. The record 10 shot group for cast is .575 for Production Rifle. (BTW the best 4 group average was .706) That is the best group(s) ever recorded in over 20 years of competition. I have learned to ignore most reports when I smell the BS. Like when folks report regular MOA with .22 cal cast...LOL.
Below is a link you may find interesting.

https://castbulletassoc.org/10%20shot%20National%20Records%2009-29-2022.pdf


But back to what matters. Shoot competitively if you can afford the time and the cost. You will improve your abilities much faster. Even local competitions are great challenges and fun events. I have been fortunate to be able to attend state, provincial, regional and national matches. The side benefit is you get to meet some great people who are also serious shooters.

Cost is not bad unless your get really serious and reach the level where equipment matters.

JUST DO IT!!! You will not regret it.

Very true. Many people I've talked to say they have no interest in "competition". But getting involved in competition doesn't have to be all about winning. It's a great way to set goals and work towards them on a personal basis. There is always going to be someone better than you. But watching and listening to those people who are "better" will help you improve your skills. I've met some wonderful people and made long lasting friends at competitions.
And learned a lot

[jgstrug]

I shoot lever action silhouette matches. Takes good offhand skills,but not super critical to have a very accurate rifle,accuracy is still important. I use a Marlin 1893 deluxe 38-55 for rifle cartridge,and a Marlin 1892 in .32s&w long for pistol cartridge. Cast projectiles either bought or made are round nose flat point. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220226/39bb0d5211aecf7d7cd8226047bf4198.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220226/97043d6df107586c7d68aee1248f8c2f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220226/adf6daeea4b1325ebf81c14eb1e78eb5.jpg

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[PopcornSutton]

Shooting in competition to me is the most fun, but can be frustrating and embarrassing. But what it does do, is how you what others have learned and how they do things. If you don't talk to and shoot with shooters that shoot the same class as you, you'll never know if you are shooting well, or bad. Rarely will you find someone who will not help with your game. No doubt, your shooting will improve.

[mnewcomb59]

I shoot at our little podunk range in all of the pistol competetions that they offer. They do a steel challenge with 5 targets, one painted red. You have to shoot the red one last.

They have a few different courses for steel challenge such as 5 torsos at 15 yards, a plate rack with 5 8" plates at 7 yards. The hard/fun course is 5 plates in a row, with the front one close to the ground and largest, then a foot behind it there is a smaller one set higher, and so on until the final red plate like 3" at the top and furthest back. There is a shot timer and score is based on total time from buzzer until last hit with penalties for misses. Classes for 22, semi auto and revolver. I usually hit the 15 yard torsos with .16-.20 splits, 0.8-0.9 time to first shot, then choke on the plates-in-a-row and come in first or second in the semi auto class

We do a silhouette match with chickens at 50y, pig at 100, turkey at 150 and ram at 200. We aren't super strict with the rules and will let a guy use a rest if he wants. Otherwise you can stand, squat, go prone or go creedmoore. I am the only guy who shoots iron sights out of 6-8 regulars so I shoot with the guys who have dots and scopes and still get my blues or reds about 90% of the time. On the 200 yard ram I have to cheat a little bit on my iron sight fundamentals and focus about a foot in front of my front sight so the ram is in focus enough to aim at it. I have put 6 shots in 6 inches on the ram a bunch of times now with my 6" security six, 15.3gr 2400 and the NOE 154 WFN GC cast in 1-4-95.

We do some 25 yard bullseye. Same thing, not too strict and you can use two hands or one hand, but no rest. Count how many hits in the 10,9, etc and add them up. I have won this one with my model 10, 1911, security six and a few blackhawks.

We have done a few other matches but those are the main things we cycle and for 3$ per match+ ammo it makes a fun afternoon. Sometimes we will have a handgun Saturday and do 2-3 matches. For $9 plus ammo you get a fun day and usually some hotdogs and donuts and coffe. I shoot all 3 matches with cast bullets and regularly win 1st-2nd. But like I said we are mostly having fun, not too strict if a new guy wants to bend the rules and the crowd is usually small.

[Calamity Jake]

I'm in the group with sundog, shoot mil. bolt BR at OKCGC and the state matches, most of the time with cast(saeco 301 and 307, rcbs 30-180sp, lyman 311291
311041 311299 314299 plus a few others) cast 75/25 WW/Lino sized .310 to .315 depending on gun FWFL lube

[high standard 40]

Very true. Many people I've talked to say they have no interest in "competition". But getting involved in competition doesn't have to be all about winning. It's a great way to set goals and work towards them on a personal basis. There is always going to be someone better than you. But watching and listening to those people who are "better" will help you improve your skills. I've met some wonderful people and made long lasting friends at competitions.
And learned a lot

I saw a quote the other day that speaks to this thread concerning some who may be hesitant about getting involved in competition. I'll paraphrase it. "Your goal should not necessarily be to be better than everyone else. You should try to be better than you used to be". Frankly this is always good advice.

[ABJ]

I have or do shoot blackpowder muzzle loaders, Bullseye pistol and several 22 rimfire matches.
"highstandard" said it best, and is the same advise I give. Your goal is to beat your own score. But having said that, concentrate on the basic and never ever worry about your score until the match is over. Your score is only a measure of your own progress or lack of. If it's the latter then re-concentrate on the basic's then you will be measuring progress.
In the early days of Bullseye, several records have been set and reset with 45 acp guns that were considered 4 inch guns at 50 yds.
A good shooter can still shot a 100 with a 4 inch gun, so it's not always the equipment. Yes there are some guns that will hold between one half and one inch at 50 and shooting next to these guys will pay off if you watch and listen and most will answer any question you have during the breaks.
Tony