What cast bullets are you guys using in 1896/11 Schmidt Rubins?

[RonF]

So I have this old rifle that my dad gave me and some old CH dies to reload cases with. In the past, I've reloaded jacketed rounds and fired them, but wasn't looking for accuracy; it's just fun to shoot every once in a while. Lately, I became interested in casting for .38/.357, so I'm looking to do so for this rifle as well. So far, this is what I've got: 1) anneal cases, 2) resize with CH full-length size die, 3) trim with RCBS 7.5x55 trim die (gives cases that are exactly 2.170" long), 4) neck flare, 5) seat bullet till the driving band is just lightly engraved by rifling, 6) crimp with Lee 7.5x55 factory crimp die. Below is a picture of the first inert cartridge that I've made using this procedure. Now, the bullet mould that I have procured is the infamous Lyman 169gr 311413 and it gives an unsized driving band of .312, and it seems that the consensus is to size these down to ~.309, but I still need to slug the barrel to see if this diameter is appropriate for mine.

I've seen mention around this site about how the 311413 is low velocity only (which I'm very cool with - paper doesn't move real fast, and I'm not trying to knock it down). Additionally, this bullet gives inconsistent results for many. Would the more experienced 1896/11 users please let me know what bullets they are using so that I might try to obtain some of those designs as well via the bullet exchange portion of the forum before I buy any more molds?

Also, using an anticipated charge of ~15gr of 2400, would one expect leading to be a problem if I used a plain based bullet as opposed to a gas checked design?

Thanks,
Ron

[jonk]

I have no experience with that bullet, but can say that I use the Lee 200 gr .309 to good effect.

The load should be fine.

[Bob S]

The best for me in the 1911 types for very short range (100 yards) has been an old Ideal 311291U with 15 grains of 2400:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/BobS1/Swiss/Swiss_9611_MSA_Forum_MatchR.jpg

Ten shots, 100 yards, prone.

Resp'y,
Bob S.

[johnly]

I tried the 311413 in my K31 and the results were lackluster. Like the results in the previous post, the 311291 has delivered wonderful accuracy. I also had good results with the 311334.

[NickSS]

I have used your bullet extensively in a 30-06 with 15 gr of Unique with excellent results. I have to date fired it in at least six different 20-06 rifle sized to 312 thousands for rounds worth with groups averaging between 1 and 1.5 inches at 100 yards using range scrap for bullets. All were gas checked. I also use the same bullet in my K31 with the same results as I get in the 30-06 in fact I use the same load.

[Ricochet]

The group buy "311291" that turned out to cast oversized works well in mine. I've been sizing them to .311". Those boolits won't chamber in my K-31.

[jonk]

The 311291 is the ONE I haven't tried yet, from my available molds!

But next week, next week... :)