6.8 SPC cast bullet tips

[Texas by God]

One of my upcoming projects is to assemble an AR15 in the 6.8 SPC cartridge. I haven't checked the twist yet on my barrel, but assuming that it's 1-10" it should be ok for cast bullets.
If anyone uses cast unless in their " baby .270"- Please share your thoughts.
Thanks

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[Harter66]

The NOE 279-124 is designed specifically for the 6.8 SPCII . The SPCII is the same but without the SAAMI throat and leade , it's slightly longer and shallower taper . Which is more in line with the original pre Rem SAAMI drawing .

Barrels are mostly 1-10 , AR performance does them in both 1-10 and 1-11 .

I use an alloy that is about 75-25 WW and lead tamper seals that appear to be 1-20 and pick up copper during the clean up . The finished bullets are WC and start at 18 BHN and after 4 yr hover around 20 bhn . They have a terminal impact function more like a 14-16 and a barrel function more like 22-24 . I used my modified Darrs lube and Hornady 270 checks through a .280 Lee sizer .

I had a Wilson or Mossy barrel on the gas gun , 16" , carbine gas , 1-10 , A2 profile and fittings with M4 extension . H4198 provided my desired 2200 fps MV but was in an awkward place with the gas/chamber pressure and made function issues in 2 rifles . The conclusion was that the chamber pressure was high enough for the brass to still be holding but not high enough to over come it . The load functioned well through the work up but wouldn't reach the hold open instead holding on the mag follower as I worked up it would miss even the follower . In hind sight there was a bit of debris that may have interfered with gas flow , but I wouldn't think in 2 barrels .
I switched to H322 at 23.3 gr in FC brass with a #41 CCI . Groups hovered around 2" after the free float handguard and low profile gas block were installed . The 30 drilled A2 flash hider trapped deposits between it and on the crown , that caused spontaneous accuracy issues . Having the step/baffle removed from the FH fixed that . Velocity however was only about 2090-2110 and wouldn't make my needed 1000#@100 yd .

Opportunity knocked and a 20" rifle gas ARP 5R heavy barrel was dragged in kicking and screaming . The load above increased to 2240 fps MV and delivers 1.25-1.5" at 100 . Because I had another rifle I had a lot of that load loaded and will leave it as is until my daughter gets it down to a point where I can work the 4198 load again for the ARP barrel and load 500 or so again .

Details that worked for me .
FC brass is SRP and in the gas gun seemed cleaner .
I had a custom mildcat in 7×6.8 so the RP LRP was saved for that and easy segregation .
S&B required about a .2 load reduction and dropped to about 2040 fps MV to get the groups back to the FC levels in the Wilson/Mossy barrel . I will eventually try it again in my Granddaughters ARP equipped Stevens 200 again for brass segregation .
Yes I used jacketed data start loads to get started .
The ARP FH both the A2 style and linier type have a different through design and don't trap the crown fouling . 5/8-20? Not the 1/2-20 of the A2 style .
Yes a Win LRP will slam fire I didn't have that with the CCI 300 .
All of the loads should have been in the general area of 42-45kpsi but I don't have the test equipment to proof that .
Both ARP barrels are closer to 1-11 than 1-10 and heavy profile .
The NOE bullet is 130 gr ready to load and I load to 2.226 OAL for all . That runs freely in the blackened AR Stoner SS mags , and the Stevens center feed .
I don't crimp and other than the initial uniforming trim it hasn't been needed in 5 cycles .
I anneal before I size every 3rd loading for the gas guns , 2nd for the mildcat .
Just wait for the RCBS and up dies to come in . The Lee is fine but ...... well it's a feel thing . I "fixed" feel in the Lee set to accommodate the .007 up size for the mildcat .

I think that's all .

[Soundguy]

Anyone got a mold that is gas checked for that?

[Calamity Jake]

Anyone got a mold that is gas checked for that?

I have a Saeco #270 for the 270 a 140gr long bore ride nose gc 2 cav for sale if your interested.

This bullet shot very well in my Rem 700 with 1-10 twist

[Soundguy]

I'll have to look at my 270 in my 6.8 SPC data to see if I can use that sounds like a nice mold

[Texas by God]

Thanks, Harter66 for the info. My barrel is 20” and marked 6.8x47 5R- is that ARP made?
Also I was wondering about the Lee C277130- is it suitable for the 6.8 nosewise and lengthwise?

[dogmower]

I shoot a lyman 130 grain cast PC over with rem LR primer 19h4895 sized .278

[Harter66]

Thanks, Harter66 for the info. My barrel is 20” and marked 6.8x47 5R- is that ARP made?
Also I was wondering about the Lee C277130- is it suitable for the 6.8 nosewise and lengthwise?

I can't say in either case ........ I don't recall the Savage barrel having any markings and the gas gun I'd have to take apart to look .
I want to say the 6.8×47 was Black Hole Weaponry , the 5R rifling isn't an exclusive to one maker .

The Lee bullet wasn't available when I did the 7×6.8 for paper patch in a Carcano action . The NOE bullet was an instant success at 130 gr , the RCBS 27-130FN taught me to weigh a new to me mould as it cast at 141 gr and a load that should have been 48-52kpsi opened up a large primer pocket to about .240 . The Carcano handles gas and spray better than you'd think .........twice .

Look up https://www.68forums.com/forums there is piles of information there , load data , the throat/leade variations , and the specifics of the 6.8×47 ....... There's probably almost as much information there about the single cartridge and platforms as here about casting good bullets for pistols .

This starts medium remedial but is the whole trip with a bargain bin Kit rifle and the quest to reach 2200 fps MV for a minimum 1000 ftlb at 100 yards . It includes all of my data , alloy , sizing , and platform information , both good and crash and burn .

[Texas by God]

I've bought the Lee 277130 mould and cast, pc'd and sized a few for testing. They look good.
We'll see what's what soon.

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[derek45]

I LOVE the 6.8SPC II

I don't shoot cast thru mine, but really like the cartridge.

this is my 3rd build.

Wilson Combat 16" LW hunter.
M.I. MLOK free float
JP trigger
NIKON 1-4x German #4

I like H322 with 110-115gr Sierra or Hornady J-words

This is what the AR15 should be :drinks:
https://i.imgur.com/S3vVQzL.jpg

older pic with PRI carbon Fiber

https://i.imgur.com/hXPtv6r.jpg

[Texas by God]

I just loaded a few of the Lee bullets ( the ones that I DIDN'T overbake) over 3031 and I am encouraged. At 40 yards 5 shots landed in one inch on the trial run. The bullets average 136grs with PC and gas check. I'm using Lee's .278" sizer.
It's working it's way to 100° today, so I'll get back to it later.
Please excuse the pic. A new phone is on the way.....https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220921/fb4efe826608484f0ae283033ac3d67f.jpg

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[Good Cheer]

My 6.8 project was going to be for a cast boolit cartridge made by full length sizing 30-30 brass and trimming the neck to the desired length. Too many things to do and had to let her go. :(

[derek45]

https://i.imgur.com/u2RTTj4.jpg

[Texas by God]

Cartridge/shell with bullet/boolit.[emoji16]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220922/82503c3eed85f8156d4cf16df370b7af.jpg

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[Soundguy]

https://i.imgur.com/u2RTTj4.jpg

Yup.. in a couple forums I am in, people call them tips or heads.. many of the new reloaders don't understand 'projectile' or that a bullet is a part of a loaded 'cartridge', along with the case, primer and powder.
I can remember at shows during 2020 when ammo shortages hit, people were standing in line trying to buy boxes of bullets.. from the reloading tables and the salespeople were trying to tell them that that's not what they wanted.. I remember hearing some people saying that they at least want something. sheesh... I saw people buying ammo that didn't fit their gun 'jusgt so they had something' like buying 38spl when they had a gun chambered in 9x19.

that's the mentality today... that and body piercings.. multicolored hair.. skinny jeans , man buns.. and guys who can't change a tire...

[Texas by God]

Yes, even without a bullet, boolit, tip,head or pill- a case still has a head.
That's where the Headstamp is......
I made some more 278-135 this morning. This brand new mould works perfectly. Thanks, Lee.

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[ulav8r]

I wondered, upon seeing the original post heading, if TBG was more of a idgit than I had previously thought. Nope, after careful reading I realized he was asking for tips/recommendations on using cast projectiles in a particular cartridge. I got no use for idgits that call them heads or tips.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

My 270 Savage (250/3000 necked up) would be about the same case capacity as your 6.8. The profile is the same as yhe Lyman 311284!
i load a Lyman 130gn boolit to about 2,500fps in a 1:10" twist barrel.

https://i.imgur.com/CtMbKoRl.jpg

[Texas by God]

I wondered, upon seeing the original post heading, if TBG was more of a idgit than I had previously thought. Nope, after careful reading I realized he was asking for tips/recommendations on using cast projectiles in a particular cartridge. I got no use for idgits that call them heads or tips.It's funny how that throughout my youth, i was a pretty decent Wordsmith. I think that the Texas Sun has melted enough gray matter to sail that ship...
Your use of the word idgit tells me you are at least my age, haha!
My siblings and I called each other that because Mom would whip us if we called each other an "idiot"[emoji16]
"Domash" worked sometimes, sometimes not- a slip in pronunciation would backfire on you.
It's all fun and I agree about "pills and heads"
Earning the idgit moniker again, I overbaked my first batch of 277 135s resulting in some bent(with a flat side) bullets. I remelted those but ended up with a couple of "visible run out" cartridges. Even so, a 5 shot group at 100yds was 2-1/2" for four shots with a flyer opening the group to 4"


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[dogmower]

for the 6.8 spc, Lyman 280468, sized .278 and powder coated, over 25 h4895 with a rem 9 1/2 primer shoots great in my AR.

[Texas by God]

I was able to put 5 shots into an inch at 40 yds this morning with the Lee bullet over 25 grs of 3031. I used Federal SR match primers in the SSA and Hornady brass. I just got 200 Remington brass that use LR primers- I think I'll use those for jacketed bullets.
Dogmower- thanks for correcting that load from post #7- I'll get some H4895 if I get the chance. I think that Benchmark has potential for the 6.8 as well- I do have some of that.

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[Texas by God]

Today for grins I filed a meplat on three bullet noses to see if they would be accurate enough to hunt with. Three shots at 100yds went into 3/4" inch.
Then I shot a 3" group at 100yds with my 44-40 using the FF3 sight against plain cardboard- aim at the center.
I quit while I was ahead!

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[Texas by God]

This combo is proving to be what I wanted the .300BO to be- but I couldn't get accuracy with cast with it- I blame the 7" twist.
At last light today, I fired three 3 shot groups with the 6.8 at 100yds....
Hornady's new 6.8 bthp 110 gr- 5/8"group
The Lee C278135 - 1" group
Hornady's Old .277" 110gr hp- 1-1/4"
I like the Velocity trigger, The KE lower, and the cheap Weaver Kaspa 3x9 that CDNN provided. Looking like a Truck Gun, indeed.

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[Texas by God]

It appears to work well on close range(65 paces)spikes!
From the poor pic you can see the high lung hit. He trotted out of sight after the shot, but I felt good about it when the trigger tripped.
After another cup of coffee and a Hershey bar, I went looking for him and found him on the other side of a big Post Oak tree, dead as a door nail. 30 yards farther away.
Both lungs were torn up, and I could put two fingers through the exit hole.
For some reason my inner voice said "Use the cast bullet" when I loaded the AR in the blind.
I'm tickled that I listened!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221108/0234df4a63ed5da361e7f24344382aa6.jpg

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[Texas by God]

My worst group today was 3 shots in 2"@100yds. My best group was 7 shots in 1-1/2" on the same target.
I dont think that I need another mould- I'm good with this one.

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[Texas by God]

306950
I believe that this dog will hunt. Three fairly quick three shot groups at 100 yards from a shakey rest.
Upside down, even.

[mvintx]

TBG - thanks for your posts. I've always been a 6.8 fan...I own two ARP 5Rs and a Wilson but never tried cast boolits in them. I've taken whitetails with the Hornady 120 SST but found it to be a mediocre performer on deer...very little expansion on these thin-bodied creatures. Interesting that you get such good results with 3031.

[Texas by God]

My cousin has a great one shot kill record going on deer, mostly hogs and several coyotes. He likes the 110gr V-max. I've got some of the Hornady 6.8 110 bthp and they did well in expansion tests(wet print).
I think that our little Texas deer die quicker if we don't over- bullet them.
My late brother's favorite deer bullet for the 8x57mm was the Hornady 125gr sp at 3100 fps. No runoffs.



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[Texas by God]

Today I tried out the Accurate 2015 loads at 100yds. Even with a crosswind from the north, I was able to put 10 shots into 2-1/2".
I need to cast some more of these bullets on the next cold day.

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[Texas by God]

Today's 100yds 5 shot group was 1-3/4". I think that a better shot could tighten that up, but it'll work for me. I think that I got lucky on this one and I'll take it.

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[Texas by God]

I found out this morning that it's a coyote hammer with the 110gr Hornady bthp. About 125 yards away beyond my backstop, it was watching a group of does go by, and I just happened to spot it. I went out the back door and used the elm tree in the yard for a rest.

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[Texas by God]

I’m liking the AA2015 load so far. The Chinese Weaver broke so I put an old Japanese Bushnell Sportview 3x9 on it to see if the AR breaks it. It lived 30 years on a 7mm magnum [emoji848]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230207/e6cdd2b006e43afc63a426567270c017.jpg


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[Texas by God]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230409/0cba1108f9bad0ec7093018dd4b05056.jpg
A five shot cast bullet group wasn’t too bad compared to the three shot jacketed bullet group.
It’s sighted in for a different load, obviously.
But we’re in tall clover!


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[Texas by God]

Still making me happy.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230816/92324a591c313e43bd0ea3c788df70e5.jpg
It’s my favorite AR- neat little round!


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[Texas by God]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230915/3842734b9100c0048d0c208954f343a7.jpg
I lost count and only shot four times. 110 yards resting on the steering wheel of the Mule. 2” dot used on target.
135 gr @1900 fps would be exiting for a handgun. But fun from a long gun!


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