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Cast Bullets


Brenden

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Good evening everyone. I had a wild idea the other day, well actually I've been thinking about this for a while.

 

I read an article about using trail boss powder for a quiet report as well as low pressure round. I have a junk 93 action that would be great for something like this. I have never tried cast bullets before so I thought I may throw these in the mix as well.

 

For those of you that cast, do any of you load with trail boss for a " just for fun" round? Will trail boss push an oversized bullet such as cast out the barrel or will I have a plug in the bore? I'm thinking of a 7x57 or 6.5x55 for a cartridge. Velocity won't be more than 1000-1200 fps so I may not even use a gas checked bullet unless leading occurs or if I bump up the velocity via a different powder within pressure range.

 

My next question would be if I should buy a take off barrel or just buy a cheap barrel like Adams and Bennett? I want this to be a cheap build as I have around $30 in this Oveido 93 action.

 

Any other advice or comments would be appreciated. You all have forgot more about cast bullets than I will ever know...

 

Thanks,

Brenden

 

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Why do you think Trail boss is a bad choice Dave? The article I read "Quiet time with Trail boss" made it out to be the best thing around for low velocity, low pressure loads. They only expiremented with jacketed bullets though at velocities around 1000. That's why I wondered it there is a possibility of plugging the bore when the gun is fired. I didn't know how fast you normally ran cast bullets.

 

With powders like 2400, is a filler needed to make up for the unused space? I know with trail boss one can fill the case to the brim and not have any pressure issues. 2400 isn't as flexible is it? I haven't dealt much with fast burning powders so excuse my ignorance.

 

Glad you chimed in Dave, I know you have a lot of knowledge in this area.

 

Thanks,

Brenden

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I have to admit to not knowing much about Trailboss. I assumed it was a fast burning pistol powder. I would look for data from as many sources as possible. 2400 has been used for years for low pressure rifle rounds. I have never used a filler. I tap the bottom of cartridge before loading it to keep the loose powder flakes near the primer. If I were going to carry it hunting I might consider a filler. All my reduced loads with 2400 have been casual range shooting. The worse than can happen plugging the bore is being unaware and following it with another shot. Driving a cast lead bullet from a barrel is pretty simple, jacketed a different story. I've never stuck a slug in a rifle but have driven cast slugs from a pistol with a cleaning rod.

 

Not trying to drive you off the site but you could probably find some experienced cast bullet shooters at castboolit.com. The mis spelling is correct. Expect different opinions but chances are good if Trailboss is good for reduced cast bullet rifle loads somebody on the site has likely tried it.

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I use 13 grains of Red Dot "The load" for that sort of thing. works well with jacked bullets.

30 cal and up in a full size case..(Not 7.62/39).

Only thing to remember is to set the rear sight for about 400 meters at 100 meters

karl

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I remember the "load". I actually went back about two months ago and 're-read the article you had wrote Karl.

 

I'm pretty excited over the whole cast idea. I need to get my barrel and some Lyman data and try some different combinations.

 

I just want a fun gun. No shooting for max velocity, or bug hole groups; just a plinker.

 

Thanks guys. Now to decide what caliber I need.

 

Brenden

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  • 4 weeks later...

Trail Boss is a bulky powder mainly designed for low velocity/pressure pistol and rifle lead bullet cowboy action shooting. However it will work in reduced velocity jackated bullet rifle loads as well,runs about $16 average for a 9 oz. container.

I've never used the powder as there are better option out there for us bullet caster and shooters for reduced velocity loads. The Lyman Cast Bullet Manuals #3 and the newer #4 will have lots of options using fast to med fast burning pistol and shotgun powders. Two of my favorites are the Lee 32 cal. 90 gr. SWC size down to .311" in any of my 30 cal. US rifles and .314' in my Russian rifles,it basically turns any of my 7.62 rifles in a nice plinker or small game getter.

In the 7.62 x 39 I use 3.0 grs. of Alliant Bullseye in all other larger cases from 30-30,300 Sav.,7.62 x 54r and 308 or .06 I use 3.0 to 3.5 grs of Bullseye,no filler is needed with these loads. These are not MAX loads but the little slugs are and can be cast from pure lead and leading may become an issue if you push them much faster and accuracy degrades. MV usually runs around 900 to 1K fps. depending on the charge weight used and groups in general run 2" or less at 50 yds.
30-30Plinker90gr_zpse1b26dbc.jpg

My other plinker load I like to use in my 30-30 is the Lee 150 or 170 gr. gas check RNFP bullet cast for plain wheel weights for plinker loads I just give the bullet once coat of thinned down Lee Alox before and after sizing and leave the gas check off. For this load I use 7.0 grs. of Alliant Red Dot which gives me a MV or around 1200 fps. Other powders will work as well with the same 170 gr. bullet. There are lots of option as to powder and bullet weights and styles but you will have to get a copy of the Lyman Cast Bullet manual to get that data.

170 gr. cast bullets

Red Dot 6.5 grs. 1159 fps. 8.5 grs. 1348 fps.

Unique 7.0 grs. 1240 fps. 10.6 grs. 1555 fps.

SR-4756 7.0 grs. 1102 fps. 10.5 grs. 1423 fps.

W231 6.0 grs. 1175 fps. 8.0 grs. 1275 fps.

TiteGroup 4.5 grs. 960 fps. 6.5 grs. 1383 fps.

2400 7.0 grs. 1005 fps. 11.0 grs. 1377 fps.

Bullseye 5.0 grs. 990 fps. 7.4 grs. 1263 fps.

RX7 20.0 grs. 1632 fps. 28.6 grs. 2165 fps.

Trail Boss with Lead bullets.
http://www.imrpowder.com/trailboss.html

Trail Boss with jackated bullets.
http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Trail%20Boss%20Reduced%20Loads%20R&P.pdf

Ed Harris The Load
http://members.shaw.ca/cronhelm/TheLoad.html

Ed Harris Cast Bullet in Military Rifles,
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?13425-Cast-Bullet-Loads-for-Military-Rifles-Article

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