Cast Bullets in Old Military Bolt Rifles.

[Adam Helmer]

Now that hunting seasons have mostly past, I am experimenting with various diameter cast bullets in old military rifles. I just got a double cavity .312" 185 grain semi-spitzer bullet mould and made about 500 bullets out of wheelweights and a little tin and with a water quench as the bullets fall from the mould. I was happy to see my cast bullets shot well in a Mk III .303 dated 1911. I sized some bullets to .311" and added a gas check. I also gas checked some "as cast" .312 bullets that I hand lubed. The .311 and .312 bullets grouped well with 2400 and IMR4198 on the 100-yard range.

I have a few old reloading books dedicated to cast bullets and see where they recommended .310 and .311 bullets for the .30/40 Krag and .30-06. The latest Lyman Cast Bullet handbook lists .309" cast bullets for the .30/40 Krag and .30-06. If the .309" bullets do not fly well, try .311 or .312 at the same powder charge. The .309 bullets go well in my Finnish 7.62X54R rifles, while the .311 or .312 is needed in the Russian rifles of the same caliber. Good shooting and Merry Christmas.

Adam