0.311 diameter cast lead rifle bullets near WA State?

[Robert357]

In the past I have purchased Redline SWC cast lead 45 (Long) Colt and 38 Special cast lead bullets manufactured by Redline at the Washington Arms Collector Gunshows in Puyallup, WA.  I can continue to do that and then purchase either Rainier bullets at the Gun Show if I want jacketed handgun bullets.

However, I have worked up some fun 155 grain and 175 grain gas checked cast lead bullets in .311 diameter for my MN 1891/30 7.62x54 Russian rifle.  I was really enjoying shooting them and purchased all the cast lead bullets I wanted from Liberty out of Oregon, but who regularly attended Washington Arms Collector Gun Shows.

The owners of Liberty Shooting Supplies are retiring.
http://www.libertyshootingsupplies.com/

Because of the weight, avoiding shipping costs on bullets by picking them up at Gunshows has worked out well for me.  Now that my source of .311 cast bullets is retiring and no one has bought out their busines, I am wondering where I can get a .311, .312, or .313 cast lead gas checked bullet of about 155 grains and 175 grains without having to cast them myself?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.  I travel around the PNW by car on business ocasionally, so buying a few hundered at a time while I swung by some Washington, Oregon or even Idaho town would not be that big a problem.

[Duffy]

What style of bullet were you getting?  Does it look like any of the offerings from RCBS or Lyman?
I know a fella in your area that could possably work somthing out with you.

[Robert357]

Thank you

I have the specific catalog numbers and bullet mold brands at work.  The folks at Liberty Shooting supplies even offered to sell me the old molds for these two, but I don't cast yet and that molds have been modified so they no longer have handles and can only be used with a "Cast Master" system.

The 155 grain bullet had a nice ogee and point with a couple of lube rings.  The 175 grain bullet was an old design that had a lot of lube rings, many more than modern designs.

If it is significant, I can on Monday state the specific company molds and model numbers.

I was doing some searches and Beartooth Bullets of Idaho appears to have some 160 and 170 grain cast lead bullets for 303 Brit and/or 7.7 Jap, which are about the right dimensions.

http://beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm

I was still hoping for something a little closer to what I have worked up loads for, a little closer to home and a little less expensive.  But I know I can't have everything, unless I bite the bullet and learn to cast.

[Duffy]

I looked up the mould I have and it's a 311466 Lyman which casts a 150g bullet. It's similar to the 175 with all the lube grooves and a semi pointed tip. The 175g I think might be similar to what you want. Approx how many to you go through in a year or so?

[Robert357]

First, you asked about the specific molds.  According to the folks at Liberty the following are the molds they used.

The 175gr. comes out of a Saeco mold, catalog #307.  The 155gr. comes out of an NEI mold, catalog #72.  

The Lymans sound very close.

As to how many I go through, well so far this year I have purchased about 300 of the 175 grains and 200 of the 155 grain bullet.  I haven't shot them all, but by the end of the year probably will have.  

I have two sets of reduced load target rounds.  The 155 grain one has slightly less than 16 grains of Alliant 2400 powder and the 175 grain load has a little over 31 grains of H-4895.  The Alliant 2400 load is the most pleasing to shoot, but the H-4895 is a little more accurate.

I hadn't realized that most commercially cast bullets are for high volume typical rifle calibers like 30 cal (.308 plus a little or sealing),  7mm, or 6.5 mm and not much else.  Historically most of the cast pistol bullets I have bought have either been 357/38 Cal or 45 Cal, so it shouldn't have surprised me.

If I could purchase or barter some from you or someone you know send me a private mail.  Thanks again.

[littlenate]

pretty certain that Western Bullet,Missoula,MT. will make something you will like..If you get that far East... (see the website)... fwiw, nate :lol: