Cast Bullets and Rifles

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StrikeEagle

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I'd like to cast some bullets for rifle. I'm thinking 30-30 and/or .375 Winchester. This is just for fun and some informal plinking and target.

I've been casting for handgun for 20+ years I guess. I use the Lee sizing and TL method of bullet prep, even for bullets that are not the TL style, and I guess I'd do the same for rifle.

I keep my Handgun cast velocity in the 750-850 range, and I don't get any leading, really. My standard alloy is Wheelweights and a certain amount of extra tin.

I don't want extreme power or uber-velocities out of this... but what steps do I have to take not to have horrible leading? I look at the 1500fps+ speeds I'd be getting and that sure does sound like it would lead my barrel. I don't want to complicate things with gas checks unless that's the only reasonable way to do it... though I notice that there are a lot of rifle molds that are not of the GC type.

How can I do what I want without things getting out of hand with the leading?

Thanks! :)
 
if you go with lee they have 150 and 170 grain. in gas checks. I have shot them with both gas checks and with out gas checks. You just have to reduce your loads a little. As far as lube. i lube then size then lube them again when using lee liquid alox. Never had a problem with leading the barrel. One of the things i like to do though when shooting cast loads. Is go out shoot all the cast you want. Then i follow it up with a few rounds of jacketed bullets. Then clean the barrel. After several thousand rounds of cast boolits i have little to no leading. Just depends on how you size and lube the boolits. Then how much powder you use. Even then though. I always treat the barrel as if its lead fouled and use some chore boy in the barrel with a bronze brush. Followedd by hopps. Spend 20 minutes at the range when im done shooting then another 20 minutes at home. Usually does the trick.
 
StrikeEagle, sir;

Your best first step is to go over to the Cast Boolits Board at

www.cb.gunloads.com

where we have about 3000 members devoted to the art of making and shooting the cast bullet.

Ask your questions there, and you WILL get answers from many of the most-knowledgeable cast-bullet users on Earth, and they're just as friendly as the gang here at THR.

Your expectations at this point sound very reasonable, and I'm sure that you'll have success....IF you forget almost everything you learned about loading for rifles with JACKETED bullets. Cast bullets are different, very different, and often require very different concepts and techniques to work well. A lot of the current good information is NOT contained in any loading manual, but is freely available on the Cast Boolits site.

Come on over and introduce yourself.
 
Thank you for the replies! :)

And BruceB: I will do as you suggest, and check out that forum! Thanks again!
 
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