Hello All.
I've been reloading rifle and handgun cartridges for about 15 years. This includes jacketed and cast projectiles. I have great success with cast boolits in calibers that include: 380, 9mm, 32 and 45 handguns as well as 8x56, 9x56, 9.5x56 and 45-70. However, I'm having a tough time with cast boolits in my 1893 George Gibbs Steyr stalking rifle in 6.5x53R. I originally tried using the Lee 140gr flat nose boolits and then had my first experience with keyholing at 50 yards. I then slugged the barrel and found out that it measured .268 diameter.
I purchased a NOE mold that puts out 160gr boolits that measure .270 diameter. I sized these gas check bullets at .269 and tumble lubed with Alox. I loaded up a ladder of IMR 4350 and headed out to the range today. At least I didn't have keyholing, but accuracy was about 5 inches at 50 yards. Ugh!
I thought that I would see if anybody on the forum might have some insight to help me with this trip down this rabbit hole.