Hey everyone

[jpthomso]

I just joined. I have been looking for some advice on cast bullets. I have used them for years during my old IPSC days. My son, son-in-law, and I have started casting our own. My son-in-law wants to start on rifle bullets. Presently he only owns an AR-15. I told him that you cannot run a lead bullet down a barrel at that speed. I had assumed that 2000 fps was max with a gas check. I really don't know.

We have and use 30-06, .308, .223, 300 WM, 45-70, 7.62x39, and 444 Marlin. Could someone out there give me some insight as to what calibers and velocities we should concentrate on?

Thanks!

[waksupi]

Do some searches on the site, you will find lots of info. With over 1 1/4 million posts, and over 100,000 topics, it isn't easy to just put a finger on one.
He should be able to get around 2700+ fps with the AR, but that is at the graduate course level. The larger the bore, the easier it is to get a chambering to function well for you.

Welcome aboard!

[frankenfab]

Welcome from Arkansas!

I would suggest just pick a caliber, and I wouldn't advise the .22 be first. Learn about and do everything it takes to make quiality ammunition with cast boolits for that caliber. Apply everything you learned the first time, and work your way up the ladder.

The .444 would be a great one to start with.

[Capn Jack]

Why not a .458 Socom upper for your AR15. It will use the same gas checked bullets as your 45/70 and they don't have to go fast..

http://458socomforums.com/index.php

Jack...

[Sonnypie]

Welcome from Commiefornia!
I would echo Frankenfab about focusing on one to get going with.
I only work with my 30-06, and 45 ACP.
It grows to a long list of the stuff needed for each caliber, depending on your steps along the path.
You didn't say who shoots what or how shared the equipment is.
I have settled in on two alloys for me. Lyman #2 for the rifle. And melted down Magnum Shot for my pistol W/ a touch of tin added.
All due to what is easy for me to get here. And because I want an alloy I can rely on for consistency.

If you want speed out of cast boolits, it is like the drag racers lament:
How fast do you want to go? How much money do you have to spend?
You'll need the right lube, on the right alloy, the right sizing of your cast boolits, the right gas checks, the right presses to assemble your ammo, and the right dies. Just for starters off the top of my head.

So pick one caliber, and doggedly pursue everything you can gather about what others are doing to be successful casting and loading it. And ask questions toward that end.
There seems to be a lot of "Lever-heads" here.
So maybe the Marlin .444 would be a good starting place.


I, on the other hand, am a long range banger-clanger. So my pursuit is toward that end. I like to bang the 1/4 mile gong, all day long.
A bench rest is my favorite place to be since I don't hunt anymore. I started out at bench rest shooting as a pre-teen with my Dad, and I've come full circle. My 10 year old Grandson is my spotter at the range.
And one of these days the smell of the gunpowder will finally entice him to try the high power.

You have stumbled in to the very best resource there is about casting and loading your own boolits. Bar None.
Just tip-toe around some of the ego's and enjoy the boys in this bar.
The collective knowledge here is immense!

[jpthomso]

Thanks guys, the info is well taken. I am not the one who wants to fly out of the barrel. My son-in-law is dead set on casting his own. I am just trying to let him know that we will have to work up on all of those loads and the top velocity will not be near as fast as he hopes. Starting with the 444 or the 45-70 was my plan. Besides, I love those big calibers. One of my favorite is my 50-140 Sharps. Lobbing 750 gr boolits down the Red River at crows on the sand bars is fun. Never have hit one, but watching them hop when I get close is great.

[Sonnypie]

LOL!

Yep, I bet that makes a powerful hole in the sand.

Still LOL about the visual on that.

Poom!
Sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss......
SPLAT!

"What the hell was that?"

[sharpshooter3040]

I just joined. I have been looking for some advice on cast bullets. I have used them for years during my old IPSC days. My son, son-in-law, and I have started casting our own. My son-in-law wants to start on rifle bullets. Presently he only owns an AR-15. I told him that you cannot run a lead bullet down a barrel at that speed. I had assumed that 2000 fps was max with a gas check. I really don't know.

We have and use 30-06, .308, .223, 300 WM, 45-70, 7.62x39, and 444 Marlin. Could someone out there give me some insight as to what calibers and velocities we should concentrate on?

Thanks!

22's and 6mms will surprise you on how fast you can drive them with cast boolits. Depending on the twist rate in your AR you can get very close to 2700 FPS if you know what you are doing. You want the hardest alloy that is practical on the small calibers. I get real close to 2700 FPS in my ruger 77 in 223. It is wicked on ground hogs out to 300 yards. Start small and persistance will prevail, don't get frustrated. Its all trial and error, some stuff works some don't. Take carefull notes on results and gain your experiece

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Welcome JP
you have been given good advice so far.
At the bottom of this page is a link from LASC.
It's an excellent source about alloys and their use
http://www.lasc.us/CastBulletNotes.htm

Also, get a Lyman cast bullet handbook.
the current one is #4
it's basically a reloading manual "ONLY FOR CAST BOOLITS"
Lots of great info.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/867...h-edition-book
There are lots of little rules when reloading cast boolits
that is different than loading jacketed or commercial non-jacketed 'hard cast' bullets.
Jon

PS... most members use the term 'boolit' for home cast projectile and differentiating from jacketed bullets and commercial hard cast bullets.