Over the past few months I have made several posts inquiring about moving from handguns to a .308 in my casting. Well today is the first chance I have had to shoot some of my new cast bullets. After much deliberation I purchased a Lee mold for 180 grain gas check bullets. I am using a 50/50 mix of linotype and wheelweights and tumble lubing and sizing the bullets to .309. I started with 25.0 grains of SR4759 and expected around 2000 fps. After using 9 of the bullets to get on paper (seems I forgot that the L stood for left and not right on the scope turret), I put the last 3 shots into a tiny .23 group! Sure it could have been a fluke, but the rifle will consistently give me .75 or smaller groups with jacketed bullets. I have a Savage Weather Warrior (left handed of course and I am sure that is why it is so accurate) with a 1 in 10 twist. I am anxious to load up some more and go out again with a few more rounds and several loadings of SR4759. The 25.0 grains gave me 2100 fps on my chrono. I might try a grain or two less. The barrel looks real clean with only some powder residue in it with no visible leading. I will just run a dry patch through it and not scrub it until after next week's session. Am I hooked on rifle bullet casting? You bet!

No turning back now...are hooked good.

From here will take one of two couses (and eventually both): searching for new loads in the same rifle, or contemplating making everything that fires work as well with cast bullets as your first experience.

Should keep you busy for the next 20 years or so.

Hi byrl,

Your definately in serious trouble; let me save you thousands of dollars!

Quit now, before you go over the edge!

There is nothing more satisfying than shooting small groups with cast bullets and handloads you make yourself other than doing the same with every gun you own - I don't think 20 years is going to be enough time - I've been at it for 35 years and haven't finished yet.:p

Another 25 years might get close!

Boomer

Wait until you try other moulds out!
Not like you need to!NOT with THAT kinda accuracy!

byrl, good report. One thing you might want to try while experimenting. Measure your boolit and then size to it, not down. If it measures .310, then size .310. The GC, other than a little springback, will be the same size as the boolit, and you will be filling the throat to the maximum extent possible with that boolit. If you size larger then you could be overexpanding the neck during seating and not have a really snug tension. Neck sizing will also help alot. The idea is to get everything as concetric as possible. If your chamber is in line with the bore (some aren't) and you completely fill the chamber and throat with a fire formed cartridge and seat the boolit into the lands, your chance of getting the boolit lined up with the bore increase. Sounds like you're on the right track..., and hooked for sure! sundog