Need advise on first casting.

[Dadswickedammo]

So been doing my homework on casting for a few months and jus about ready. Have been reloading for years. I'm all about learning from others before me.
I will be casting for an AR in 300 AA.. 309 155GR mold with gas checks Lyman Orange lube sized to .309.
How hard will I need this lead? Going to push these about 2100fps that should cycle the action. Thinking of using BL-C-2. I have about 10 different powders to work with. Not only this my first casting but my first non jacketed rifle boolit. Also will be water quenching. And what's the deal with time Harding? I read two weeks the lead gets a bit harder what about a year or five years. I know I'm all over the place just a lil excited.
Thanx

[Boolseye]

Yep, you should be in good shape. You may get that machine cycling somewhat lower, however-I think I cycle mine at around 1800 with the Lee TL312-160, and at those speeds, with a gas check, water-dropped hardball will do (12-15 bhn). Throw in a few more wheel weights if you're going to push it up over 2000. It's not a tall order.

[runfiverun]

I'm not positive but would be willing to bet $5.00 that the bl c-2 powder is too slow to do much of anything like what you want.

they will still be just as hard in 5 years.

[RogerDat]

I think R5R is correct on velocity. I shot next to a fellow that loaded for those and used 2400 and I think H110 gets mentioned too, quick check shows the latter at 1600 - 1800 fps at max. BL-C(2) is a good deal slower burning. I will say it does cycle a ruger mini-14 in .223 well but never chronograph.

[Boolseye]

It may be a bit slow at that. 4227, H110 and RL7 seem to be the speed range for most BLK loading. I think BLC-2 will work, it's in the 4895 range. Does the OP have published data for the powder?

[Don Fischer]

Only one way to known for sure. Load a few and try them! Do a min number of rounds just to see where your at. They all fire fine, your good to go from there for sure. When I'm loading jacketed bullet's, to start, I always load about five with a different charge i 1/2 gr increment's to 1 gr over max inn the book I'm working out of. I call it pressure testing yu would be function testing s I'd do five of each load.