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jimeckard
Now that I’m retired, I’ve got a couple of rifles Id like to try to shoot cast bullets in. A couple of k-31’s and a savage bvss in .308 out to 200 yds or so local matches, nothing more serious than that. you know,military and production classifications.
Pretty new to this game, though have reloaded jacketed bullets for many years and shot competitive hipower, some BPCR and schuetzen, etc……….a number of questions if you will indulge me?
1. Can I get away with one bullet? such as the NOE K-31 type? Or, are multiple bullet molds the order of the day?
2. If not, which molds do you suggest? Alloys? I’ve got literally a ton of WW’s and tin…….
3. powders? I’d like to shoot light loads, something like 1500 fps (16fr of 2400 or similar, eh); how about dacron fillers?
4. lubes you recommend?
5. reloading techniques; annealing, neck tension maximums (I’m thinking, neck sizing only, turned necks on prepped brass, .002-.003 neck tension, crimp or no? anything else?
6. what’s my accuracy barrier? is 1.5 MOA 10 shot groups satisfactory?Sorry, that’s lots of questions……….how about a good reference manual or book, as well?
Thanks in advance for your help……….
Jim
jimeckard
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AlvinYork
Welcome aboard, Jim.
This book is posted somewhere on this site, but here’s the link, directly. It’s got a lot of good information in it. And some jack rabbit hunting tips as well. It’ll help answer some of your questions and is a good read as well.
From Ingot To Target, A Cast Bullet Guide For Handgunners (In pdf) link below
http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_textonly2.pdf
Full.Lead.Taco
I’d also highly recommend the lyman cast bullet handbook. It has some great instructional info plus a decent amount of cast bullet reloading data. I think it is only like $17-18 on amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Lyman-Cast-Bullet-Handbook-4Th/dp/B004DWBKQY
As far as bullet mold choice goes. You might start with the K31 bullet mold and see if that bullet works well or not in some of your other rifles. So many options to choose from!
adamsutherland
My take on your questions.
1. Depends, the key to accurate shooting is bullet fit. The K31 bullet was designed specifically for that rifle as it has virtually no freebore and needs a bullet of a very specific profile to work, Will this work in other guns? well that depends on their chamber/freebore/groove/bore dimensions a good chamber cast will give you these dimensions so that you can choose a suitable bullet.
2. Soft is best generally, for the velocities you are looking at bhn 10-12 would be more than hard enough, I use BHN for velocities up to near 2000 fps. This general alloy is range scrap mixed 50-50 with plumbers lead.
3. My go to powders for this velocity range are Vihtavuori N110 and N120, any other makes in the similar burning rate range will do, I avoid fillers like plague it is just another variable to contend with so I choose easily ignited non position sensitive powder.
4 Any of the White label range will do just fine, I have settled on 2500 for all my applications.
5 Yes 1-2 thou neck tension is best, I only anneal when trying to save cases. I find neck brass a little on the brittle side best for cast. Consistent case length is important. I never crimp unless it is for revolver, underlever tube mags or hard chambering guns like semi autos etc. If you find crimping improves accuracy then it is just elastoplasting a symptom of a problem in your loading process or component. Consistency in all things is essential.
6. I mainly shoot older guns and will expect half the factory group size with cast, at up to 300 yrd velocities, this is a generalisation of course and the odd ones do better and worse sometimes. With a sound gun and bore then 1.5″ groups should be easily achievable with cast. Group size isn’t just a function of load and rifle, shooter ability, eyesight, light, weather, wind and type of sights all contribute to group size. With all my guns I am sure they can group better than I am getting them to if I could only shoot better, see better/ mount F class scopes and control the wind light and weather
AlvinYork
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