need long range cast advice

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  • Last Post 18 January 2014
swed6.5 posted this 06 October 2013

:} hi,Im new here, I been shooten bench rest for a few years and wanting to get back into casting,I dable in a lot of pistol cast loads.Our range in southwest FL has a lot of different matchs. I want to become competitive in our 565YD 5” gong match with a cast rifle load,I have a couple calibers to choose from,6.5, 30cal or 8mm. I need to know if this is a possibility or a dream and if any one is doing this, i want to know what twist rates and types of molds i should look at, I plan on using either a savage br. platform or a modified encore action. Thanks guys

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Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 06 October 2013

wow ! that sounds like a very tough game .... is this benchrest ? and what are the top scores ??

just some thoughts on cast against jacka-billets ... you will be down on both consistent accuracy ... and maybe worse :: wind deflection ...

how about starting a class for cast bullets only ?? with todays cost ... and scarcity ... of ammo .. , you might get some takers on that ...

my little group shoots at a steel coyote at 500 yards ... offhand !! but it is 8 inches tall ...and 4 feet wide ... we need that 4 feet in even a gentle breeze ...

cast bullets with high b.c. seem to resist good accuracy at higher speeds ...i have a lyman 413 pointy bullet but about 1000 fps is ( my? ) limit ...maybe the long unsupported noses get bent on firing ? doesn't seem fair ...

ken

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swed6.5 posted this 06 October 2013

yes it is ran like a BR match,with a cal maximum of .338 and there is tuff compitition. There is a handful of us that have continuosly hit 15 of 15 and gone into sudden death shoot outs up to 40+ rounds,I see little use of having to show up to a 15rd match needing 50 rounds of ammo,note if its switchy winds the scores are always lower. My goal is to hit even a few with a cast load will be awsome.

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onondaga posted this 06 October 2013

http://www.castbulletassoc.org/view_user.php?id=7820>swed6.5

You don't have an impossible problem at all. I'd recommend a through examination of your bores in 30 cal and 8 mm. They will likely benefit from a polishing for cast bullets as cast bullets like a slick smooth bore for match accuracy with cast.

Check my Polishing method posted on this site: http://www.castbulletassoc.org/view_topic.php?id=8364&forum_id=63>http://www.castbulletassoc.org/viewtopic.php?id=8364&forumid=63

Next, to go all out, I'd recommend a chamber casting to determine your chamber throat dimension to determine the diameter to size your bullets. They will have  the best accuracy with a sliding contact to the throat upon chambering loaded rounds. Chamber Casting Alloy: http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/chamber_casting_alloy.htm>http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/chambercastingalloy.htm

This an excellent product with good instructions at the site and is a lifetime supply for $15.99

Your bullet fit is the most important factor  in accuracy with cast. The heaviest bullets for caliber get the best accuracy. I shoot the Lee C312 185-1R cast in #2 alloy and sized .3105” to fit the throat of my 1903A3 Springfield 30-06. I lube once before size/check and twice after with 45:45:10 tumble lube. My load and rifle will do what you are looking for with 42 grains H4831SC and Lee Collet Neck Sized brass when loading. My bullets engage the leade  of the rifling .010” and get  a stable start to shoot the best my rifle can do with cast. This bore was new and un-fired when purchased but was still polished nice and slick for best performance with cast.

45:45:10  Post reviewing and source links:

http://www.castbulletassoc.org/view_topic.php?id=9290&forum_id=16>http://www.castbulletassoc.org/viewtopic.php?id=9290&forumid=16

Gary

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swed6.5 posted this 06 October 2013

cool great advice thanks,

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onondaga posted this 06 October 2013

http://www.castbulletassoc.org/view_user.php?id=7820>swed6.5 Another alternative that will even surpass accuracy of jacketed bullets in your favorite rifle is casting with a custom mold for paper patched bullets that can be shot at factory jacketed ammo velocities. I suggest getting this book to start in PP'd bullets as it is the last word in my opinion:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1879356023/ref=ohdetailso01s00i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Accurate Molds offers a fine selection of custom PP bullet molds: http://www.accuratemolds.com/bulletdetail.php?bullet=45-360P-D.png

Gary

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Brodie posted this 08 October 2013

If you are going to paper patch for smokeless powder propelled loads I would strongly recommend that you  read the “Stickies” over in the Cast  Boolets forum under the section of the smokeless paper patching.  These fellows have gotten better and more consistent results than anyone else I am aware of.  By the way they almost all use regular grease groove bullets as smokeless powders do not “bump” the bullet up as much as Black does upon ignition.  Their advice and experimentation has helped me a great deal.  Brodie

B.E.Brickey

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swed6.5 posted this 10 October 2013

Thanks for the advice im still deciding and feeling around with all my options, I may go with a .308 bore what is a optimal barrel length and twist rate? I'm hoping to find a mold with as high B.C. as possible and run em appx. 2000 fps. Most of my past Bench barrels have all been shortest of 29"

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jhalcott posted this 21 December 2013

I think a 24” barrel 1 in 10” twist a 210 to 220 grain bullet like the 311284 should work, as long as the nose fits the bore. IMR4064,4350 and SR4759 will give you 2000 fps or more.

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highstandard40 posted this 21 December 2013

As mentioned proper bullet fit is the key. I have found my best accuracy using a bullet that has the drive bands sized to be a snug slip fit in the chamber throat and have a bore riding nose that is sized to be a slip fit into the rifling. I use a nose sizer die to assure this fit. Of course if the bullet nose is undersize, that won't work. Here is where ordering a mold cut to fit you gun could be the best route to take. Accuate Molds can do this. Also a sufficiently strong alloy and good casting and loading discipline is in order. I seat the bullet out as far as the chamber will allow. In other words, the bullet has to be supported and aligned with the centerline of the bore.

I am embarking on a similar course this coming year. I intend to compete on High Power Rifle Silhouette using cast bullets in a Rem 700 30-06.

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Mike H posted this 28 December 2013

Swede 6.5,                I have often thought of shooting cast at 500 yards or 500 metres,but have never tried ,the longest I have shot cast is 300 metres. Most of my shooting for a lot of years has been F/class with jacketed projectiles,now I am slowing down and intend to do more cast bullet shooting.As I have .308 Winchester chambered barrels for my rifle,I will try them first.My current FTR barrel is a1-11,30” long.As it is fairly long throated,with a .3085” Throat,my projectiles,180 RCBS Sp Gc and 215 CBE,sized to .309” fit nicely,with the base of the bullet at the bottom of the neck,but not protruding into the case body. For a start I am going to try 40 grains of H4831SC.What I am trying to do is get velocity and keep pressures down.Should be interesting,I would have liked to have had a 1-12 twist barrel,but the 1-11 twist is the slowest I have for that action,the rest are 1-10 twist,32” to 34” long. Pretty hot here now,may be a while before I get on the range.Good luck with your project,I do think a 5” target is a big ask.Mike.

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Loren Barber posted this 18 January 2014

Do you have a “real benchrest” rifle in 6 ppc caliber.  Please don't take offense to my use of “real".  I purchased a good 30 cal barrel, 1:12 twist, chambered to 30 BR, fitted to my stolle panda and you're almost set to go. Need a good 30 cal mold like one from ACcurate molds in Salt Lake  use 6BR brass expanded to 30 cal. Buy dies and you're set to go.  Great fun if you like a new dimension in benchrest shooting.  

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muley posted this 18 January 2014

Swede6.5,as some of the boys have stated, consider a .30 cal with a 1-10 twist, a 215-220 lino bullet and a bore ride such as accurat number 31-225H . It is a mx-4 ard clone at .311 dia. with the 4831sc could be a good combination.

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