Cast bullet loads??

[imarangemaster]

I have really been enjoying shooting my carbines a lot lately, but at $26 a box of 50, it gets expensive.

I have about 600-700 rounds of M1 Carbine brass, and I have access to Bear Creek's 115 moly coated cast bullets for a good price. I have seen some loads listed for 2400 powder (10-12 grains) for the 115 grain bullet. I load 2400 for some of my other calibers, so I have it on hand. Anyone use cast bullets in their carbines? Anyone use 2400 in their loads?

I figure I can compensate for the lower velocity by using the 200 yard setting instead of the 100/150.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

I used cast gas check exclusively but always with 4227 IMR. I couldn't use a measure, I had to scoop load. I sure shot lots of them though. I think 2400 is the recommended powder. I'd just see what Cartridges of the World says about it.

[imarangemaster]

I found a load with 7 grains of Unique at 1560 FPS with a 115 cast. It would be cheap to shoot, if it cycles the action. I already have 2 or 3 pounds of Unique, since that is what I load my 44-40 with for CAS shooting. Also found one with 12 Grains of 2400 gives 1750, and is supposed to cycle excellent. The nice thing about the moly coated Bear Creek Supply bullets is that they don't lead, even without a gas check, at reasonable velocity.

Bear Creek's moly are $60/1,000. I found a source for copper plated bullets that will load to standard velocities for $79/1,000. I might go that way, and just load 14.5 grains of WW296. Should print about the same as R-P factory, at least at plinking ranges.

[browningautorifle]

Given the choice at the prices you state, I'd shoot the copper. I make my own so I just go with lead. I'm not so sure you'll get happy results with the Unique loads. I think I had less than stellar results when I used it. Of course if you work through a handful at a time with lots of notes you may be able to come up with something.

[Bruce McAskill]

If you drive the plated bullets to normal velocity in a carbine they quite often strip in the barrel leave a large amount of the copper plating and it does not add to the accuracy of the round. Most companies will tell you to keep the velocity in the 1600 fps range to prevent this. A good gas check bullet can be loaded to military spec with no problems at all. Non gas checked bullets should be kept in the same range as the plated rounds. Accuracy is quite good at the lower velocities.

[emmagee1917]

For pistols , yes . Carbine bullets start with a more undersized than normal lead core and are left in longer to bring them into spec with a thicker jacket . Berry's says 1950 fps max.
Chris

[painter777]

I recall asking about Berry .30 plated once before.
As of today I, along with family have shot ~ 1,000 rds.
1 time after cleaning I found a few specks of plating, by far less than lead fouling would leave after just a couple mags.
Loaded my Berry plated with 15 gr 296.
Do not recall a problem with accuracy.

This link will give a reply by:
Jay R. Phillips
Berry's MFG

Jay is a member here and always open to questions.
Military Surplus Collectors Forums

Berry's MFG Bullets ?

A Possible Problem,
At the local Gun Shows, many have bulk 'Plated' bullets for sale. Seems like all claim they are Berrys. No way to know that I know of, if they aren't in a original package.

Charlie-Painter777

[jimb16]

12 gr 2400 with 110 gr plain base and 115gr gas checked. 12.5 with the 130 gr plain base. Works fine no leading problems with any of them.

[c east]

I push the copper plated slugs to full speed with 15 grains of 4227...same results as copper jackets rounds for everything...accuracy and fouling....Charlie

[USGI]

I worked up loads starting at 14.0 grains of W-296 and/or H-110 until I found something that seemed to work right in both my Inland and my brother's. I ended up at 15.0 grains for the FMJ and 14.7 grains for the copper plated. Everything I researched indicated that the copper plated bullet is a bit softer and that results in a bit higher pressure. I know you can't really tell everything by the looks of the cases and primers, but I what I saw agreed with what I had read. Same thing on the 45 ACP with lead or copper plated vs. FMJ - I use a bit less powder with the plated. If I could get a hold of some WC 820, I would like to try that in the carbine, that's what the GI rounds were using in the later stuff. I did see a recommendation for 14.1 grains of Lil' Gun with plated bullets for the carbine, but the local sporting goods store doesn't stock it. It's reportedly a bit cleaner burning than W-296/H-110. - Bob