Hard Cast (Missouri 150 gr) in rifles

[kestak]

Greetings,

I have been shooting only jacketed bullets in my rifles. I would like to shoot more my 30-06 savage 110 (bolt-action). How would be the accuracy and lead fouling if I try Missouri hard cast bullets?

Using hard cast bullets, would it save also my rifle barrel like it does with pistol barrels. I am at about 50,000 rounds in my 9mm pistol and the barrel is still going strong.

Last question, would I be able to use the same rifle powders or will I have to use a powder like Unique?

Thank you

 

[velocette]

The Missouri bullets, excellent as they are, are not hard enough for rifle use. Further they are not designed for use with a gas check which is essential for success with lead bullets in a modern rifle. If you were shooting a 30-30 with pistol powders, perhaps but your '06 has a lot more case capacity than a 30 30.
Perhaps you might contact Missouri and ask them about a gas check or advice.
They are really good folks there and really care about their customers.
In any event pistol powders such as Hodgdon Universal or Alliant Unique are in the range needed for your goals.
Roger

 

[Chuck Perry]

I have read several articles promoting the use of Trail Boss for cast bullets in centerfire rifle cartridges. Moderate veolocity with good accuracy, low recoil, and the stuff is pretty much idiot proof to load with.

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

It's not the velocity, it's the pressure. With MB boolits, you can push them up to around 23,000 psi. Now all you have to do is find a powder that will give you a decent velocity (or what you're trying for, anyway) that doesn't exceed that pressure. I'm shooting 30-30 loads right at 1800 fps with MB rifle boolits. Any other story you hear means somebody isn't doing their homework and are just relying on old wives' tales.

In other words, a proper load will do exactly what you want, as long as you're not expecting to sling lead at 3000 fps. You've got to do the math first.

 

[qajaq59]

I think a call to MB would likely take care of what you want to do. They're pretty swift over there.