Really interesting thread, guys! I just finished a rifle I built in gunsmithing school, chambered in 6.5x55 Swede. I have a large quantity of 120 gr soft point jacketed commercial bullets but still want to try some boolits in it. Now I'm confused. My standard handgun alloy for years has been 20 lb. wheelweight to 1/2 lb monotype. It works for anything from .38 wadcutters with 2.3 of Bullseye to .45ACP at all velocities to .40 S&W making IPSC major. I've hot tens of thousands of these boolits, no GC, since 1982.
I have thought for years that straight lino with a gas check was the way to go with rifle boolits. This info makes me think that anything from straight mag wheelweight Pb to pure Monotype might be the right alloy. I assume I would need a GC at 6.5mm, thinking that around 1700-1800 fps would be a good target velocity. I have never cast or shot a cast rifle boolit. Actually, I haven't owned an appropriate rifle until I built the on in 6.5x55. Any suggestions?
A friend gave me a long Mauser action already modified to large magnum, bolt face opened to H&H Mag size along with a .375 barrel, .375 H&H reamer and go gauge. I thougt it might be fun to shoot at around 1700 fps with cast boolits. Anyone have any experience there? With or without GC?
David2011