Cast bullets in hunting rifles.

[Adam Helmer]

I have about 50 moulds and cast for muzzleloaders, handguns and rifles. I get wheelweights free at the local tire shop in town. I melt them down for rifle and handgun projectiles, add some solder and drop the bullets into a bucket of water to make them harder. Cast bullets use less powder and have less recoil than jacketed bullets. Today, I found another great cast load for a vintage deer rifle.

I shot the Lyman #31141 170 grain flatnose bullet ahead of 27 grains of IMR3031 in my M1894 .30/30 Winchester Rifle with 24-inch octogan barrel made in 1919. The 170 grain cast bullet shot to the same point of aim at 100 yards as the 150 grain jacketed bullet and 28 grains of 3031.

Another favorite cast load is for the 8X57MM Mauser. The Lyman 323471 215 grain bullet ahead of 25 grains of IMR 4198 is my "Ball Substitute" load for all my 8mm Mausers. I need to set the rear sights to "500" to get 100 yard POA/POI (Point of aim/Point of impact) that is the same for 150 jacketed bullet loads.

With the prices of jacketed bullets going ever higher, it is time to seek a cast bullet alternative to practice sessions with favorite arms.

Adam

[dovehunter]

I have worked up a load for my .45 Colt Blackhawk using a store-bought hard-cast 255 gr. SWC bullets over 20 gr. of Lil'Gun to use for deer hunting next fall. I have been practicing shooting off-hand with a two-hand hold until I can usually place all my shots in or near the black at 50-yds on a 25-yd. slow-fire pistol target. Now I just for hunting season to come in.

I have been shooting a lot of store-bought cast handgun bullets for plinking and am liking them more and more. You can't seem to buy cast bullets in rifle calibers around here, but I'd like to try them too. I guess I am going to have to get into bullet casting. Like you, I have been saving up old tire weights for a long time. I guess I need to start putting them to use.

[PJgunner]

I have been castng bullets since I was 16 years old. it was the only way I could afford to shoot my S&W 38/44 Outdoorsman. Just for the record, I will be 71 years old come the middle of next August.
Just as a guess, I'd estimate that depending on the firearm in question, rifle or handgun, that I probably shoot about 100 rounds of cast bullets for every jacketed bullet. In handguns, it's almost totally cast bullets exclusively.
I've used cast bullets mostly for target shooting and have loads for one rifle in .308 Win. that was 1.5 MOA at 200 yards. Of course, I don't usually do that well if the wind is blowing, but if it's reasonably calm, it's not all that hard to get really good groups.
Most of my hunting with cast has been with the 30-30 win.. Bullets of choice are either the Lyman #311291 or the RCBS #30-180-FN Both can be loaded to full or close to full powder factory standards. Seventeen dead deer certainly won't argue that point. The RCBS bullet weight 190 gr. in my alloy and it's real easy to duplicate the old 190 gr. .303 Savage round in a 30-30.
JMHO, but if you're shooting a 30-30 or a .32 Win. Spl. then there is no real need for a jacketed bullet. Right now I'm looking for a bullet for a .32 WS I recently picked up and a proper sizing die. I know what I want in a bullet and will probably have to go the custom mold route to get it. No problem. After all, it's only money right?
Paul B.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I shot the Lyman #31141 170 grain flatnose bullet ahead of 27 grains of IMR3031 in my M1894 .30/30 Winchester Rifle with 24-inch octogan barrel made in 1919.

Adam;
I use the same load with my LEE 170 grain FPGC; haven't taken any game with it (yet) but I intend to some day!

[MtnMike2]

Adam,
I'm kinda envious of that model 94; I like octagon barrels / lever guns. I haven't gotten into bullet casting although I've been using all lead bullets for my Win 1886, Ruger Blackhawk in 45LC and lead balls in my .54 cal Great Plains Rifle. It's something that I've considered - I'd like to do one of these days soon. For the .54 cal lead balls, I've seen it recommended that you stick to pure soft lead - any thoughts?

Mike

[Adam Helmer]

MtnMike2,

Yes, that .54 musket must be fed PURE LEAD balls. I scrounge all the pure lead I can find for my muzzleloaders.

It was one year ago this month that an old widow asked me to appraise her deceased (2002) husband's guns. I did and then she offered the items to me at a very fair price. The only gun I wanted was the only M1894 .30/30 octogan barrel RIFLE I ever saw. I have a M94 carbine made in 1921 that is handy, but no where as nicely balanced as the rifle.

Adam

[Adam Helmer]

dovehunter,

Casting rifle bullets is really easy to master. I suggest you buy and read the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook and then get double cavity moulds.

Adam

[Rocky Raab]

The hitch is that wheelweights are neither common nor cheap any longer. The enviro whackos are at it again, partly. All my local tire stores are on contract with metals salvage yards to sell them any used weights, and they won't give or sell any to casters. The salvage yards will sell it, but at premium prices.

[Adam Helmer]

Rocky,

One more thing about wheelweights: Be careful which WWs you put into your casting pot. Take a 20-penny nail with you to a tire shop. If the WWs are shiny and break when a large one is bent, reject it because the newer weights are made of cadmium, aluminum or some such that a nail cannot scratch. The OLD WWs will BEND and not break and a nail will scratch them.

Adam