Help needed selecting rifle molds

[plumber]

Well I've been casting pistol for a while now, and am looking on diving into rifle.
I see so many molds out there it's confusing, so I'll list what I want to cast for

.30-'06
M1 Garand
7.7 Jap
Type 99 Arisaka
7.62X39
AK-47 and SKS

Thanks

[stubshaft]

First thing you should do is to slug each bore to determine bore size.

[plumber]

I was planing on using a pure lead boolit from the new molds to slug the barrel so I knew what sizing dies i needed to order. I see the .30 cal molds only come in .311 So I need to slug before ordering molds?

[mooman76]

You need a slug that is bigger than your bore otherwise you are wasiting your time. For example if you slug your bore with a 309 caliber bullet it will probubly come out 309 or maybe even bump up to 310 but you could have a 313 or larger bore and you wouldn't know it. That is also likely since your Ak's and some others you have listed usually have larger bores, even as big as .315+. I find that a lead round ball like for BP works best my opinion. Those lead egg shaped sinkers work well too.

[Lead Fred]

Being I have all new bores

I use a Lee C-309-150F for the 30-30, and I C-309-200R for the two 30-06s.

[Crash_Corrigan]

I shoot an M-1 Garand cast boolit from a LYMAN 311284 mold. Loaded over 30 gr of 4895 powder it is accurate, soft recoiling and easy on me and the op rod.

Stacks the empties just in front of the gun about 3 feet away.

Using gc's or wrapped in paper they make a dandy round and cheap just like me.

If you get into paper patching your boolits you probably can use these on those bigger bores as well. I size my freshly cast boolits down to .308 and then wrap two layers of computer paper on them wet. Let dry overnight and clip off the tails.

Then I lube with a dab of JPW and run through the .310 sizer for my generously chambered M-1 or a .314 for my SMLE No4 Mk 1 sporter.

Mildly loaded I am getting excellent accuracy and a very clean gun. As I neck size only on my brass it seems to be lasting forever.

You could probably load these boolits to a higher velocity for hunting or maybe you like recoil and loud noises.

[GabbyM]

You're taking a big bite all at once with three calibers and four rifles.

You could start with the 7.7 Jap and work your way down. Lyman #314299 bullet for 303 Lee is a good fat thirty bullet. Mine cast .3135” X .3025”. That should fit your 7.7 and possibly your M1. You may get one that drops bullets on the small size and fits the M1 fine. That's why I'd start with the larger diameter.

For the 7.62 X 39 Lee makes the only AK bullet out their in the C312-155-2R. NOE and NEI also make this bullet. I think Lee cloned it from NOE. The SKS can use a larger variety of bullet than the AK. Here is NOE group buy page for this bullet. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=65839

OO buckshot with motor oil will work for sluging 30 cal barrels.

After you slug the 7.7 you may want to go with Crash Corigan's paper patch plan. Some have bores of .315". Just the right size for PP 30 cal bullets. Lyman's old 45th reports bores from .310" to .317". The two I've made bullets for used a .312" sized #314299 and worked great. But with a bore ride bullet if the land diameter gets big it won't shoot good with a loose nose. So a Loverin or PP bullet is the expedient solution.

[mooman76]

I agree with GabbyM. Shotting rifle cast is a whole different animal and if you jump in to much at once you could end up with big disapointmment. Not trying to discourage you but it is a little more difficult so pick one gun and concentrate on it and move to the others when you get that worked out. When you say M1 do you mean M1 garand or the M1c? Gas checks will make it easier if you want to go that route. Lyman has a couple of light 30 cal bullets that work well in alot of guns. One is 115gr 311359 and the other is a 130g 311410.

[plumber]

I hear what you are saying. I just want to buy the molds while I have the money. If I had to pick one to start with I'd like to start with 7.62X39. I have a decent supply of CMP .30-'06 left, and 7.7 Jap is a very low volume caliber. Thanks for the tip with the buckshot, I'll head to Wally World and buy some shels to steal the shot out of. I was going to use sinkers, but everything local is HARD.

[plumber]

Well I slugged everything, this is what I have.

M1 Garand: .3075
Arisaka: .3120
SKS .3115
AK-47 .3120

[Wayne Smith]

Oh, My! Are you in good shape. Any mold that casts .313 or slightly larger and you are home free. Do you have a lube sizer? I would suggest one, with a couple of sizing dies. Or go the Lee route, but then you have to pan lube. That gets tiring quick.

[plumber]

Yes, I have a Star sizer.
If I got this right, I need to size my 7.62X39's and my 7.7's at .313 and my '30-'06 at .309?
It would be nice to have one mold for the '06 and 7.7, it seems I'd want a lighter boolit for the x39's.

[Shiori357]

Yes, I have a Star sizer.
If I got this right, I need to size my 7.62X39's and my 7.7's at .313 and my '30-'06 at .309?
It would be nice to have one mold for the '06 and 7.7, it seems I'd want a lighter boolit for the x39's.
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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

1/20/13

Plumber, its realy depend on your rifles grove dia.
As early post on many folks suggest, you should slag all firearms.
Then, you could make choice for one or two mold to pick.

Sizer die as well, most likely you have to have several different sizer dies.
Those are depend on your own rife grove dia.

I mean, you do not want to see "KEY HOLE" on your target at 25 yard, right?

Just let you know.