Oversized Lead Bullets in rifles

I would like to hear your thoughts and experiences with using oversized lead bullets in rifles. I have some lead bullets that larger than the copper jacketed bullets that I have used in the past. I would like to know your experiences with lead that might be up to 0.004" over copper jacketed bullets. I know sizing dies are available.

TIA

 

Size them .001 over groove diameter. Slug your barrel and the biggest measurement on slug is groove.

 

There's a lot (a whole lot!) more to cast bullet loads than sizing them larger than jacketed.

Start here: LASC Ingot to Target

 

Depends on the rifle. Lever actions can be finicky with lead that is too much oversize.

 

Although I will go up to .003 over in some cases. 30-30 comes to mind.

 

I have loaded .003"-.004 over groove diameter cast in a few rifles. Many say only .001". but I have heard of/read of target shooters/competitors going to .006" over groove diameter with no problems. In my 7.62x54r, 303 British, 308 Win. with bullets .003"+ larger than groove diameter have seen no over pressure signs/markedly different velocities. All my handloads fit the chamber/throat with bullets .003" over, but I'll throw in the standard caveat, "depends on the gun"...

 

My cast hunting load for deer in 30-06 involves a .311" bullet. This is a rifle that shoots jacketed well at normal bullet diameter for caliber.

 

FWIW, .310-.311 dia gives me the best cast bullet results in my microgroove Marlin. .309 in my Winchester, both 30-30. .430-.431 on my Marlin and Win 44 mags. .429 in my 29 and Super BH. Your mileage may vary.

 

Thanks for all replies. I plan on using the lead bullets in 30-30, 7.62x54 and MAYBE in 7.62x39.

 

Like PapaG mentions... I have 2 .30 rifles that are fine with .309" cast (one a .308, one a .30-30) and another that insists on .311" (a Savage 99 in .30-30.) It really depends on the rifle, and sometimes on how hard that bullet might be.