Any big bore airgun shooters casting their own?

[BillC.]

Anyone doing any bullet casting for .308 or .458? Wondering what molds are working for you.

[DonT]

BillC,

I don't have either of those calibers but do have a Shinsung 9mm and I have been shooting .360 round balls in my (bought from a local muzzleloading shop) and had good success, so far.  Unfortunately the fill valve stuck on mine so it dumps the resevoir tank as soon as I open the bleed valve on the scuba tank adapter.  Have to take it in this weekend to the local shop to see if they can fix it. 

Up until that time I only had it on the 25 yard range and was getting one big hold shootin the roundballs.  From what I have read many folks shoot the roundballs with good sucess which isn't a big surprise as I shot muzzleloaders for years with patched roundballs with excellent results.  The 30 cal might be an issue although you might be able to use .310, on the .45 cal I beleive both Hornady and Speer make soft lead swaged round balls in .457 than might work ok.

I have also shot some cast bullets in my 9mm but I do not beleive the twist is right for the longer bullet vs. the roundball, at least in my gun anyway.  Heck mine groups better with the roundballs than it does with the 9mm Pellets by Eu Jin..

Good luck with you big bores!  By the way what kind do you have?

DonT

[BUTCHER45]

     Hey DonT,

     Be sure to store your korean air rifle with no more than about 1500-1800psi in the reservoir.  The exhaust valve in the Korean guns will become distorted over time when stored with a full charge of air.  That may be your problem.  Try .358 sized stuff (.38) slugs.  Most report the .356 (9mm) stuff to be to small in diameter.

     I don't cast yet, but have tested a bunch of different boolit designs out of my power-tuned 909, which likes at least .454, and preferably .456-.457 slugs.  Loves 220-260grainers.

[DonT]

Butcher45,

Thanks for the hint.  Just got it back from the shop and I guess a seal in the fill valve let go.  Didn't look bad but leaked none the less.  Seems to be holding fine now since replaced.  The fellow that owns the shop said these rifles are pretty much bullet proof and he rarely sees problems with them and this was a first.

I will see if I can find some Hornady hollow base wad cutters to try in .358.  Right now the .360 round balls seem to be doing very well.  I have to get the chrony out and see where my speeds are and where the sweet spot is.  Maybe later this weekend if the weather holds...

Take Care!

DonT

[Odinbreaker]

I cast 458 and 311 for rifles what do yuo need to know

[darkgael]

A bit late. Just saw this thread.
I have one of the Sam Yang .45s.
I cast .457 round balls for it. As well I use the 200 grain LSWCs that I cast for my .45; I have a Corbin swage press and bump the .452s up to .458 and put a slight bevel base on them. I do the same for cast bullets intended for the .45 Colt.
Pete