Why are jacketed bullets more accurate than cast?

[joeb33050]

I wrote this to the Yahoo CB forum, but the owner wouldn't allow it because it has the word "jacketed".
I was complaining to the range master about my cast bullet groups when he asked"Why are jacketed bullets more accurate than cast?" This stopped me, I don't know. If I did know, I'd change my cas bullets to be like jacketed. Does anybody out there have an opinion?
joe b.

[CJ]

The answer is they are not always. Velocity, bore condition, bore size variations, and lead hardness are all things that can make a cast bullet accurate or inaccurate. Mostly the problem is the right bullet for the wrong job. Overall jacketed are probably a little more forgiving.  Hope this helps.

[Nobade]

Yep, I agree with the above post. Pretty much anybody can make a jacketed bullet shoot at least reasonably well. To get cast to shoot well, you have a whole bunch of variables to isolate and control first. That's why I don't shoot jacketed much anymore, it got boring. A rifle properly set up for cast, shooting top quality bullets, doesn't give up much to jacketed bullets, at least out to 200 yards. But you have to work for it, and you don't go switching between cast and jacketed in the same rifle or you'll never achieve the potential you otherwise would with cast.

[HBL]

The only caliber I shoot with cast bullets is my 44mag.

I have yet to find a jacketed bullet that will shoot any where near the accuracy I get with my 280gr Keith, NEI cast or with my 300gr LBT LFN bullet.

Plus, with the same weight bullets, you can push a hard cast bullet much faster than the jacketed with less powder, which means more ft-lbs at the target.

[Graycg]

I'm with HBL, all of my revolvers (357, 44 mag and 45 colt) and my trophy match 45 auto all shoot much more accurately with cast bullets than any jacketed bullets!  I've also been hard pressed to find a jacketed bullet that will shoot as well as my cast LBTs in my contender 357 maximum barrels (I have 3).
     I think if you properly fit the bullet to the bore, cast it appropriately hard for the velocity and bore condition and use a good lube and keep the velocities in the reasonable range you'll find that many rifles will shoot cast bullets as accurately as jacketed.  Many won't, but  you'd be surprised...a well fitting cast bullet will almost always shoot better than a poorly fitted jacketed bullet.  I have a 303 Brit with a sloppy .316 bore, won't shoot a .312 or smaller jacketed bullet for anything, patterns and often keyholes result.  But put a .319 cast bullet in there and with the issue sights your looking at 2.5 inch 100 yard groups.
    I don't think that jacketed bullets are inherently more accurate in all cases...just ask the shutzen guys!!!