Loads for cast bullets

[Yankee]

Hi all,

Due to the high prices of jacketed bullets, I've decided to look into using cast projectiles for plinking with my .303. We have a manufacturer here in Australia called Hawkesbury River Bullet Company who make a 180grn .311 projectile and I was hoping that somebody here could suggest a safe starting load. I normally use 34grn of an Australian powder called ADI 2206H for jacketed bullets but what would I need for the cast bullets?

 

[evan price]

iirc, 2206H is Hodgdon 4895.

For cast bullets in .30 caliber, there is always The Load. "The Load" is good for about any 30-caliber rifle with cast bullets- 13.0 grains of Red Dot.

 

[EHCRain10]

If you can get Trail Boss it is made for cast bullets, "The Load" can be unsafe if you make a mistake and double charge a case. Trail Boss is too bulky to double charge a case.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I second Trail Boss. When I wrote Hodgdon they told me it's impossible to over charge with Trail Boss as long as you don't compress the charge. To find your Max charge make a mark on the case where the bottom of the bullet will be, then fill the case to that mark, weigh the charge and that's your Max charge. Reduce the charge by 10% and that will be your starting charge.

Also, H4895 is a very good powder for very light charge weights for reduced loads. Take a look at the data and information provided by Hodgdon for Reduced Loads from their site.

Good luck...

 

[NuJudge]

I have lots of bookmarks for the .303 and cast bullets:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=45991
http://www.303british.com/id16.html
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=13151&highlight=Lee+Unique
http://www.public.asu.edu/~roblewis/SMLE/IIID2a11a4.html
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=46726

CDD

 

[qajaq59]

Yankee, I sent you a PM. Hope it helps.

 

[LubeckTech]

I like "The Load" it is great in my M1916 .308 Mauser. I have not tried Trail Boss yet but will in the next couple of weeks.
If your bullet company offers gas checked bullets get them if they are affordable. Also slug your barrel if you are so inclined. It is really easy and will give you valuable information about your barrel. With information about the bore in hand I would look around to see if anyone in the country casts the proper size (your diameter +.001) bullet for your barrel and/or contact the company you mentioned and ask them about casting and sizing the size you need if you purchased a quantity. Many casting companies are suprisingly willing to do custom sizing and I would imagine there are quite a few of those Enfields down there with worn bores (not to mention Mosin-Nagants that need bullets in the .312-.314 size) so it might be in their interest to offer some bullets that could perform well in these guns. They won't know there is a market if you don't tell them what you need. While powder and velocity are a prime consideration a proper size bullet for the bore is the most important thing for accurate and clean cast bullet shooting.
If you are really adventerous you might want to consider casting your own which could give you what you need at an affordable price.