Cast rifle bullet sizing

[Superlite27]

I searched, but couldn't find anything to answer a question I have.

I've been reloading for awhile, but have mainly purchased jacketed bullets. In .45 ACP, jacketed bullets come in .451. This is what I have always loaded. Several months ago, I purchased a box of lead flat points to load for .45 Long Colt. I noticed that it is O.K. to load .452 in lead flat nose for both .45 ACP and .45 LC.

I always thought .45 ACP was .451 diameter, but a well knowleged guy at a local reloading shop told me that .452 is good for .45 ACP in non jacketed lead bullets because of the softness and how it will fill the rifling.

So, I loaded some .452 lead flat nose in .45 ACP and have noticed a dramatic increase in accuracy over the .451 jacketed bullets I have been using.

I have recently delved into CASTING! Mostly I will be casting 200gr. semi-wadcutters and will size them to .452 for both .45 ACP and .45 LC.

In the future, I hope to start casting for rifle. I am going to get more experience with pistol before I take that next step to making bullets for higher velocities.

My question:

I currently load store bought jacketed bullets for .308. When I do decide to start casting for .308, I'm sure I'll have to harden the cast bullets I make to a higher brinell hardness for the increased velocities for rifle.

What about the sizing? As with .45, would I have to size the cast lead bullets to .309 since they are non-jacketed similar to the increase in diameter for .45? Or, do I stick with sizing them to .308 just like jacketed bullets for rifle velocities?

It will be awhile before I take on casting rifle bullets, but I want to get a good body of knowledge built up before I do.

I might as well start asking questions.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I cast bullets for .30 caliber rifles from Linotype and size them .309". They work well, but I suggest you slug your bore and then size .001" over bore diameter.

Prior to shooting cast bullets through your rifle, you'll get best results if you thoroughly clean all copper buildup from the bore. This means squeaky clean, and use J-B Bore cleaner after all the chemical bore cleaners. This will help accuracy dramatically.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[rcmodel]

For .30 caliber, size .309", or even .310", if your rifle chamber will accept them.

Use pure Linotype metal and a gas-check mold design if you want to run the pressure & velocity up there.

I would highly recommend you buy the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook to further your education.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=796528

rc

 

[Jim Watson]

You can do tricks with heat treating wheelweight metal, too.

One key to cast bullet accuracy is the fit of bullet to barrel throat. As one old timer said, the best sizing die for an oversize lead bullet is the barrel of the gun. Shoot them as large as will chamber FREELY. (My .30-30 Remington 788 has a very tight neck and .309" is the maximum it will handle at all. My .40-65 BPCR with nominal .408" groove diameter is most accurate with .411" bullets.)

Another key is to not get carried away with velocity. Every increment of velocity requires more care and better materials. I get good accuracy without a whole lot of tinkering from a .30-06 at .32-40 velocity (maybe 1200 fps) and see no reason to soup it up.

 

[243winxb]

All good info above, i sized to .310"-.311" for a 30wcf, Rem 760 30-06, 1903A1 springfield, and T/C contender in 30-30. You will need a Lyman "M" die. this opens the case mouth to seat a cast bullet without shaving lead.