<SLV>
Member
I've read some things on here that say certain types of rifling or certain brands of pistols don't work well with cast bullets. How do I determine which of my guns will work well with home-cast bullets?
How do I determine if my barrel is suitable for cast bullets?
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
If they have real land & groove rifling, they should work well with cast bullets.
If they have smooth polygon rifling, like Glock and HK uses, with no distinct lands & grooves, it's probably not a good idea.
rcmodel
If they have smooth polygon rifling, like Glock and HK uses, with no distinct lands & grooves, it's probably not a good idea.
rcmodel
SASS#23149
Member
so,tell us what gun/guns you're wanting to shoot cast in,and we'll vote on it in our usual bumbleing manner.
Dave P
Member
ask the maker!
I have never found a conventionally rifled barrel (pistol or rifle) that would not shoot cast bullets OK, if I did my homework and put some experimentation time in.
Some seem better than others, but all did at least acceptable by me.
Some seem better than others, but all did at least acceptable by me.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
To my knowledge, there is no gun maker or importer in the U.S. who will tell you it is O.K. to use cast bullets, or reloads in their guns.
It's a CYOA legal thing.
rcmodel
TimM
Member
At the risk of sounding reaaly stupid here.
I used to (years ago) reload a few select rifle calibers for hunting. This week I bought a Lee Turret and I am going to start (tomorrow) loading my handguns for range and probably competition shooting.
Kimber Ultra Carry II - .45
S&W Model 36 snub - .38
S&W Model 19 snub - .357
Colt Detctive Spec - .38
Ruger GP100 4" - .357
I am wanting to use cast bullets and didn't realize that they present a problem in some firearms. Would these handguns be good candidates for cast bullets?
Also I am wanting to start IDPA shooting this year. Can I use cast bullet reloads for IDPA?
Does anyone have any pet loads that I might start with for these handguns?
I used to (years ago) reload a few select rifle calibers for hunting. This week I bought a Lee Turret and I am going to start (tomorrow) loading my handguns for range and probably competition shooting.
Kimber Ultra Carry II - .45
S&W Model 36 snub - .38
S&W Model 19 snub - .357
Colt Detctive Spec - .38
Ruger GP100 4" - .357
I am wanting to use cast bullets and didn't realize that they present a problem in some firearms. Would these handguns be good candidates for cast bullets?
Also I am wanting to start IDPA shooting this year. Can I use cast bullet reloads for IDPA?
Does anyone have any pet loads that I might start with for these handguns?
<SLV>
Member
I had heard about the Glock and "polygonal" rifling in particular. I'm thinking about picking up a CZ P-01 9mm and reloading home cast bullets for that. Also, I'm thinking about casting .308 for my Tikka .30-06. I understand there are also some velocity issues with cast bullets... like they only perform well under a certain velocity ceiling.
RustyFN
Member
I have used lead bullets in my CZ 75BD Police without any problems.
Rusty
Rusty
Jim Watson
Member
SLV - Like Rusty, I have shot cast bullets in my CZ75 (and most others.)
People claim to shoot cast rifle bullets well over 2000 fps, but every step above about 1200 fps calls for greater quality, better bullet-barrel matchup, and luck.
Tim - Nearly all revolver calibers prior to the current generation of monster magnums originated with lead bullets. Cast bullets work fine in .45ACP.
People claim to shoot cast rifle bullets well over 2000 fps, but every step above about 1200 fps calls for greater quality, better bullet-barrel matchup, and luck.
Tim - Nearly all revolver calibers prior to the current generation of monster magnums originated with lead bullets. Cast bullets work fine in .45ACP.
<SLV>
Member
Jim, are you saying that I should limit myself to 1,200 fps with the .30-06? Should I do this by shooting heavier bullets (200+) in order to maximize energy?
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
All the guns you listed are perfectly fine for use with cast bullets.
rcmodel
Jim Watson
Member
No, SLV, I'm not saying you should limit yourself to 1200 fps, I'm saying it gets harder at higher velocity. I am ok at 1500 fps or so from a .30-06. A friend who works at it more gets comparable accuracy at 1750. I don't even consider energy, it doesn't take much to punch paper. And hunting with small caliber cast bullets is a whole 'nother project I have no interest or experience with.
SLV, sir;
May I suggest that you come over and sign up at the Cast Boolits site,
www.cb.gunloads.com
where there over 4000 casters just as friendly as the folks here at THR?
Any questions you may have will be answered forthwith and in detail.
Accurate rifle shooting with cast loads above about 1800 fps can be achieved, and excellent accuracy is obtained rather easily in handguns up to 1500 fps or so.
My hunting load for the .416 Rigby uses a cast bullet of RCBS design, 365 grains at over 2000 fps, and groups three rounds consistently into 1.5" or less at 100 yards.
I hope to see your 'handle' on the members' list at Cast Boolits.
May I suggest that you come over and sign up at the Cast Boolits site,
www.cb.gunloads.com
where there over 4000 casters just as friendly as the folks here at THR?
Any questions you may have will be answered forthwith and in detail.
Accurate rifle shooting with cast loads above about 1800 fps can be achieved, and excellent accuracy is obtained rather easily in handguns up to 1500 fps or so.
My hunting load for the .416 Rigby uses a cast bullet of RCBS design, 365 grains at over 2000 fps, and groups three rounds consistently into 1.5" or less at 100 yards.
I hope to see your 'handle' on the members' list at Cast Boolits.
SLV,
I have burned up a bunch of 30 cal cast bullets, and in my experience it all comes down to matching speed to hardness, gascheck/no gascheck, and lube. Diameter is extremely important regardless of velocity, and experimentation will dictate what works best. Don't be afraid to go .310"-.311" diameter if you can.
For gallery type loads using light charges of Unique or similar @ 1000 fps or so, no gascheck, light tumble lube and water quenched wheel weights work great. Push the velocity to 1500 or so and add a gascheck, push 1800+ I use traditional 50/50 lube, harder alloy and gascheck. All are very accurate, and a blast to shoot. Gotta love the versatility and economy of cast bullets.
I have burned up a bunch of 30 cal cast bullets, and in my experience it all comes down to matching speed to hardness, gascheck/no gascheck, and lube. Diameter is extremely important regardless of velocity, and experimentation will dictate what works best. Don't be afraid to go .310"-.311" diameter if you can.
For gallery type loads using light charges of Unique or similar @ 1000 fps or so, no gascheck, light tumble lube and water quenched wheel weights work great. Push the velocity to 1500 or so and add a gascheck, push 1800+ I use traditional 50/50 lube, harder alloy and gascheck. All are very accurate, and a blast to shoot. Gotta love the versatility and economy of cast bullets.
GP100man
Member
the right size is king!!!!
real good lube on the boolit dont hurt either!!!!
i too invite any one intrested in making boolits go to cast boolits .com!!!
bruceb i didnt relize there are 4000 of us ?????
GP100man
real good lube on the boolit dont hurt either!!!!
i too invite any one intrested in making boolits go to cast boolits .com!!!
bruceb i didnt relize there are 4000 of us ?????
GP100man
GP100man, amigo;
YES! Scroll to the bottom of the page listing all the forums at CB, and you'll see that as of today, we actually have 4,473 members. Not bad, for a specialized site less than two years old!
I visit THR several times a day, because the info available and the discussions here are about the best I've found for general firearms-related subjects. For the specific topic of cast bullets, there's no other site in the running with Cast Boolits.
YES! Scroll to the bottom of the page listing all the forums at CB, and you'll see that as of today, we actually have 4,473 members. Not bad, for a specialized site less than two years old!
I visit THR several times a day, because the info available and the discussions here are about the best I've found for general firearms-related subjects. For the specific topic of cast bullets, there's no other site in the running with Cast Boolits.
<SLV>
Member
Thanks for the tip on Cast Boolits. I'll be snooping around there for a while. Will probably register when I'm smart enough to know how to ask a question.
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