Powder Choice for Cast Lead in Rifle Calibers

[jjohnson]

Hi, gentlemen!

I'm taking the plunge and am getting into reloading major military rifle calibers with hard cast lead. Those calibers are 30-06, 308, 7.62x39, 6.5mm Swede,7.5mm Swiss, 8mm Mauser.

I was wondering if there's a preferred powder for these - I know you can load just about anything with Unique, and some loads are listed for 5744, but is there a particular reason for a particular powder I should be ordering? I plan to load to the higher end of practical velocity - not just squib/"gallery" loads. The bullets I'm looking for are gas checked. I want to order what I need "right on the first time" so I don't pay hazmat over and over while I experiment.

Advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[MMCSRET]

You need to talk to the people over at Cast Boolits. There is more info in that site than we can ever use up. Millions of years of experience. Talk to them.

 

[armoredman]

Ditto. Going to be using cast lead in my 7.62x39mm too, when I get around to it.

 

[cracked butt]

2400 will work well in most of them and will get you to velocities of 1800+ fps (this is the fastest I've pushed cast rifle bullets).

6.5x55 in swedish mausers often times doesn't like 2400 for some reason. Unique seems to work well with it though, but your velociites aren't going to be much over 1500 fps. A fast burning rifle powder might be better yet, though I haven't experimented with this yet.

7.62x39 I have no experience loading cast for, yet.

 

[Walkalong]

5744 Info

 

[Fisherman_48768]

Cast bullet powder choices

Pick up a Lyman reloading book it will give several different powders for each bullet design. Then start testing the load combinations in your firearms until you achieve the level of accuracy acceptable to you.

 

[rcmodel]

Lyman book says XMP-5744 is the "Best Accuracy" load in many of the calibers you mentioned.

It will also give you all the velocity a cast bullet will tolerate, and then some.

IMR-4227 is another one worth investigating.

 

[SSN Vet]

I've loaded gas checked Lee 312-155 bullets for 7.62x39 with both 2400 and AA1680.

haven't spent enough time with this to discover a load that groups well.

I believe my issues are related to sizing

here's my write up on it....

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=367973&highlight=312-155+7.62x39+2400+cycle+action

NOTE....many say 15 gr of 2400 is a max load for this cartridge.....

I had to step up to 15.5 before I could get the action in my converted Saiga to cycle well..... up to 16 for 100%

 

[rcmodel]

NOTE....many say 15 gr of 2400 is a max load for this cartridge.....

Maybe they say that, because it is?

You can't go by whether a reduced load using pistol powder will cycle a gas operated action or not as a pressure indication.

The fast powder reaches max pressure and burns out before the bullet gets to the gas port in the barrel.

Many reduced loads give Maximum pressure, but won't operate a gas gun!