Cast Bullets. An alternative to jacketed bullets

[7x57Joe]

@Rick HOlbert
Casting bullets definitely gets into your blood especially in the way of lead fumes and heavey metal contamination of your system if you aren't careful. So yes it c as n get in your blood.
Bob

Don't drink the lead!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Don't drink the lead!

@7z57Joe
Especially if it is molten. If chilled to hard to chew.

 

[jpr9954]

Missouri Bullet Company makes a powder-coated, 275 grain cast bullet in .366 or 9.3. They list it for the 9.3x57 but I don't see why I couldn't use it for the 9.3x62. At just over $50 for 250 bullets, I thought it would make a good practice bullet.

https://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=487&category=6&secondary=36&keywords=

Does anyone have a 9.3x62 load for such a bullet? Any suggestions on where to look if you don't have a favorite load?

 

[7x57Joe]

Lyman's 47th edition handbook shows loads for a 280 grain bullet in a .35 Whelen. I would use starting loads over a chrono, compare and adjust loads as necessary.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Lyman's 47th edition handbook shows loads for a 280 grain bullet in a .35 Whelen. I would use starting loads over a chrono, compare and adjust loads as necessary.

@7x57 Joe
The Whelen can be loaded with 275gn Woodleigh PPSP at 2,550 too 2,650 fps using CFE223.
Bob

 

[7x57Joe]

Please let me clarify. The Lyman 47th edition has loads for a 280 grain CAST bullet for the .35 Whelen. Hope this hasn't created a problem.

 

[Rick HOlbert]

Well folks, finally had the chance to go to the range and test those loads in the 375. Sad to say no joy! The test loads with W760 have promise shooting into 1.25 - !.5in groups. Good enough for hunting but I know that rifle can do better. Ram Shot Big Game was an utter disappointment. Too slow a powder for cast loads. Big Game works best at near maximum with jacketed bullets and that's too much for cast bullets. It shot shotgun patterns rather than groups. Next test loads will use Reloader 15. Stay tuned for future results.

 

[Ray B]

I get better results with both jacketed and cast bullets when I use powders that are designed to operate at less than 100% capacity and are of the "faster" burning rates (rifle). My favorite is SR4759 but since its discontinuance I've been trying TrailBoss as well as some in the IMR4198-4227 class

 

[Rick HOlbert]

I get better results with both jacketed and cast bullets when I use powders that are designed to operate at less than 100% capacity and are of the "faster" burning rates (rifle). My favorite is SR4759 but since its discontinuance I've been trying TrailBoss as well as some in the IMR4198-4227 class

Good choices all and in the past have used them also. Now days I've found (for me that is) the faster medium burn rate powders work very well. IMR-3031, IMR-4064 and Reloader15 are examples giving near jacketed velocities and great accuracy. To bad the SR series powders were discontinued.

 

[93marlin]

I'm currently working on developing loads for 375rcm for an upcoming bear hunt. I'm ending up using 3031 under 270gr spire point. It seems to be an accurate combination.
I'm not after the highest velocity. The load I'm happy with (so far) is 56.5gr for about 22-2300fps.

 

[Rick HOlbert]

Well folks, I finally got enough of a break in the rainy weather to get to the range to test fire the next batch of loads using those 280grn FNGC bullets in the 375 H&H. As stated in my earlier post, W760 had promise but not happy with the results. Rimshot Big Game was too slow and I suspect W760 was on the verge of the same problem.
Going over all of my old notes and looking at the powders I have on hand that would be in the slightly faster burn rate area I decided to try Reloader 15. Good density as I didn't want to use a poly filler. Cartridge OAL was set at 3.450in. CCI #250 magnum primers were used but may not be mandatory (I'll try CCI 200's later) Federal brass once fired was used. I won't print the powder charges here but if interested send me a PM. I tried 2 loads with this combination. I'm happy to say both loads were outstanding!! Virtually the same size delivering 5 shot groups at 5/8th inch. The photo I've enclosed had one called flyer but all groups were the same. The top load delivered 2320fps with NO leading after 20 rounds. I'm a happy camper. I think for elk in the black timber, black bear, or your local feral hogs this would be a dandy load.
I hope this thread has been interesting to you folks who responded. Thanks much for sharing your views with me. Happy hunting and skoal.

 

[Rick HOlbert]

Well,... I don't know what's going on but I'm unable to attach the pictures I have to add to this post. Oh well, momma always said I'm not the brightest bulb in the box. Sorry about that folks.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Well folks, I finally got enough of a break in the rainy weather to get to the range to test fire the next batch of loads using those 280grn FNGC bullets in the 375 H&H. As stated in my earlier post, W760 had promise but not happy with the results. Rimshot Big Game was too slow and I suspect W760 was on the verge of the same problem.
Going over all of my old notes and looking at the powders I have on hand that would be in the slightly faster burn rate area I decided to try Reloader 15. Good density as I didn't want to use a poly filler. Cartridge OAL was set at 3.450in. CCI #250 magnum primers were used but may not be mandatory (I'll try CCI 200's later) Federal brass once fired was used. I won't print the powder charges here but if interested send me a PM. I tried 2 loads with this combination. I'm happy to say both loads were outstanding!! Virtually the same size delivering 5 shot groups at 5/8th inch. The photo I've enclosed had one called flyer but all groups were the same. The top load delivered 2320fps with NO leading after 20 rounds. I'm a happy camper. I think for elk in the black timber, black bear, or your local feral hogs this would be a dandy load.
I hope this thread has been interesting to you folks who responded. Thanks much for sharing your views with me. Happy hunting and skoal.

@Rick HOllbert
As they say on the A team you've got to love it when a plan comes together.
I don't think anything will walk to far after being hit with a 286 FNGC at close on 2,400fps. That would be a nice mild load in your rifle and give you a bucket load of smiles
What is the diameter of the flat point. The bigger tha flat the harder the hit and the straighter the drive.
Have fun my friend.

 

[Rick HOlbert]

@Rick HOllbert
As they say on the A team you've got to love it when a plan comes together.
I don't think anything will walk to far after being hit with a 286 FNGC at close on 2,400fps. That would be a nice mild load in your rifle and give you a bucket load of smiles
What is the diameter of the flat point. The bigger tha flat the harder the hit and the straighter the drive.
Have fun my friend.

Bob, as we found out while talking the other day, the meplat is .23in in diameter. Not ideal as a .25in would be but still large enough for tissue disruption and great penetration. As it is a heat treated alloy it won't shatter on heavy bone and some expansion will occur.

 

[Roberto Mervicini]

Does anyone have experience with cast bullets in a 450/400 3”? I was thinking they could make a good plinking, or even moose load.

Hello Aaron, as soon i i find a mold for my newly made 404 Jeffery (similar ballistic to 450/400 ) I will cast bullets and work developing a good load for it ....will keep you posted .

 

[petander]

I've been casting bullets actively for 30 years now.

I like casting for big bores and shotgun slugs, now that we have powder coating and Hi Tek options the whole process is so clean and nice. No need to handle bare lead much.

My 470 Merkel double shoots 400 grain cast most of the time, it goes around 2100 fps and regulates @ 50 meters. I break claybirds on a berm. I use an MP molds gas check bullet -and an Accurate bevel base bullet! I double PC coat them and they shoot nice and clean. I bought the Accurate mold just to see if it can be done with a bevel base bullet,yes it can. I have shot plain base bullets in 45-70 Marlin for decades.


Gas checks are also becoming hard to get, most US companies don't ship them abroad any more.

I consulted Vihtavuori for those 400 grn loads, they gave me N135 and N130 data. Just don't reduce below 65% for safety reasons.

 

[Boone66]

This is a great thread, I have been casting for over 40 years, started as a kid, with muzzleloaders, then hand guns and rifles of various calibers. Have killed a lot of game with cast bullets over the years.

 

[dlmac]

Has anyone used hard cast paper patched bullets in Africa...lately? On other threads using a cast on dangerous game is next to being a heretic.