Anyone know a source for cast lead bullets in the 150gr to 180gr range?
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Anyone know a source for cast lead bullets in the 150gr to 180gr range?
Google something like "cast bullets for sale" and you'll get lots of commercial cast bullet company's listings. I cast my own but lately have helped a freind develop a load for LazerCast 170 gr FN for his '06. They seem to be pretty decent and come already lubed with gas checks on them.
Larry Gibson
Another recent thread, "Cast bullet info needed" Cast bullet info needed - Military Surplus Collectors Forums lists several commercial cast bullet makers.
I have been using a 165 gr. flat nosed bevel based hard cast bullet from Hunters Supply. With about 8 gr. of Unique I get 10 shot groups in my Rem. 03 that measure about 2 inches. The following link: http://www.hunters-supply.com/shop/i...7f0f6681089565 will take you to the Hunters Supply website. HTH. Sincerely. BruceV.
Major Tom, I shoot my own cast bullets, Lyman 311334 and 311644 190 gr bulets. Lee 150's shoot great also. Almost any proper diameter cast bullet shoots great from the 2 groove barrel. I have put 2 brand new 2 groove barrels on my 03A3 recvrs. The bullets are gas checked and .311 Diameter. These 2 groove barrels that they say shoot cast real well is very TRUE! Try to find a decent gas check bullet w/proper diameter. These rifles shoot quarter size groups at 100yrds. Holes are all touching unless I mess up the shot. I use IMR 4350 powder 35grs. Mild recoil and a tack driving rifle! When you get her going you'll know what I mean. It's a BLAST! I have not tried any plain base bullets but at slower velocties I would think they would be just as accurate. Hope this helps!
TerryR
Quote:
Originally Posted by Major Tom
In selecting a cast bullet for the O3-A3 especially one having a 2-groove barrel, it is important to consider that the lands occupy 5/8 of the circumference of the bore. According to Col. Harrison of the NRA in his writings/investigations published in the NRA handloading book, this would require that a bullet have a short(er) bullet body and a long nose or bore-riding section that would ride on top of the lands and be positively guided by them. Such a bullet is/was Lyman 311334 which unfortunately was discontinued some time ago. They still pop up occasionally on E-Bay, but the bidding goes out of control. Still produced by Lyman however is their #311332which is a similar design. Users recently have reported that newer molds ordered have been showing up undersized. The bullet dropping from this mold is measuring less than .308-.309 in the body section and under .299-.300 on the nose. The desired dimensions should be in the .309-.310 range for the body section and .301-.302 for the nose. To try and shoot an undersized bullet results in the bullet tilting in relation to the longitudinal axis of the bore itself....going down the bore at an angle and exiting the barrel in this posture which gives inaccurate shooting. Such a mold should be lapped to give the proper dimensions. There are also other choices among other mold manufacturers. Lee produces designs that have good noses in relation to bullet bodies...if one is able/willing to work with the requirements of aluminum molds. The Saeco 301 which is a new version of the old RG-4 bullet is an excellent choice and RCBS also makes at least one design that meets the requirements of the two groove barrel. This body-nose factor is not an absolute limiting factor as O3-A3 shooters have realized success with other molds such as Lyman 311291 and 311284 (and others) which have enough nose section to work welll with the broad lands. It is necessary to be sure that whatever mold is being used, casts bullets at the proper dimensions listed above. If using WW metal that has antimony in it, adding some tin..2-3%, not only improves the pouring quality of the alloy, but will make the circumference of the bullet slightly larger.(reference-- Saeco's footnotes on the Terracorp bullet alloys). however lapping the mold is the more constant/permanent solution to an undersize problem. Good shooting. JC
prices are around 15.00 for 100 (and MORE!). rolling your own is the only real way to save money. yes, buy a good mold (actually TWO molds would be better, so you can keep the ideal temp) and at least a 4 pound melter.
Two mold that have worked well for me are both from Lee. The first is
#C-309-150-f30 meaning the bullet size is 309 it's a 150 grain bullet and is flat nosed the second is #C312-155-2r. Midway states it's for the 7.62x39 but sized to 308 it works well in my A3. Both of them do. Both are gas check bullets. I use 47 grains of either IMR or H 4895