Author Topic: Low Vel cast (Read 697 times)

jh45gun · « **on:** July 31, 2004, 04:56:10 PM »

Well went and shot today with my 8mm mauser and my 30/30. 30/30 loads were 9.6 grains of unique with a 165 plain based bullet. 8mm was 11 and 12 grains of unique with a lee cast bullet ( 170?) un-gas checked as I do not have a sizer or checks for them yet. at 50 yards the 30/30 shot ok about 2 inch groups and the 8mm was about the same with the 11 grains of unique the 12 grain loads were all over the place. I am done with the plain base loads for one reason with the 30/30 I had to raise the peep sight again as high to compensate for the low power loads. I want something more flat shooting so I do not have to change my sights from cast to jacketed. I do not mind some kentucky windage if they shot fairly close but these shot real low due to the low velocity loads. As far as the 8mm went it shot ok at 50 but then got leaded up so it did not shoot well after 20 rounds so I will have to shoot gas checks with them also, but then I was warned here and other places that un-checked would not shoot the best. One grain between 11 and 12 ( unique) sure opened up those groups. I guess maybe 10 grains would have been a better place to start or even 9? Same with the 30/30 I should have maybe tried 7 0r 8 instead of 9.6 but that is what I had a dipper for so I tried it. Should have dragged out the powder measure and scale.

haroldclark · « **Reply #1 on:** August 01, 2004, 07:42:20 AM »

Hello, JH45Gun
I have shot a lot of 30-30s and some 8mm Mauser with cast bullets. The only 8mm, though, was with a quick put together deal with a buddy of mine. He brought the primed cases and I supplied the powder, bullet and the seating tools. He owned the 8mm Mauser in full Persian Military configuration.

I used 10 grains of IMR4227 powder and an Oregon Trail Cast bullet that was pre-sized and lubed with a bevel base. His barrel was very smooth and we shot at 200-meter chickens without a miss. There was not a hint of leading after 50 rounds.

I know a lot of guys on the forum like Unique for cast bullets. I have records going back to the 1970s of all of my cartridge reloading. 90% of the records indicate that my barrels leaded with unique. I think the other 10% of the time; I failed to make a note.

I have used the following powders for cast bullets: Alliant Reloader 7, IMR4227, IMR4759, XMR5744, Blue Dot, IMR SR 7625, IMR4895 and others that dont come to the mind right now. Unique and H110 have never worked for me with non-gas checked or gas checked bullets without leading. My barrels are all fire-lapped and baby butt smooth. If a barrel continues to lead, I fire-lap them again. My Remington Model 742 Semi-auto 30-06 rifle shoots a 170-grain gas checked bullet with 25 grains of Reloader 7 at a chronographed velocity of 1811 fps. I fired it over 1400 rounds before it wouldnt work anymore. I cleaned the bolt and chamber area only. No barrel cleaning at all is required with good gas checked cast bullets. Simply wipe a clean patch through the barrel and a lightly coated patch with a BreakFree type material.

Try a 170-grain gas checked bullet with 20 grains of Reloader 7 in your 30/30 and you will be pleasantly surprised. Another dream machine load is 12.6 grains of Blue Dot with either a 170 or 150-grain bullet (cast bullet).

You may have to live with the changing of your sights from full loads to cast bullet loads. Simply keep a notebook of the required changes. Count the clicks required for each load and distance. I would start with the full load in the 30/30-sight setting. Count the down clicks until you bottom out. Now, you will have a base line that you can always return to. You will probably have to make some windage changes too. Keep notes and always return the settings to the desired location before you finish up for the day.

Harold Clark

jh45gun · « **Reply #2 on:** August 01, 2004, 10:09:13 AM »

Thanks for the info nice to know about the problems with Unique! The only reason I used it was I happened to have a half a # left I got from a buddy who's step dad had it and when he died he gave me most of the stuff. Have you had any expirience with 2400? I read C. E. Harris's article on useing 16 grains of 2400 for military cast shooting and I loaded up some and they seemed to work ok but I did not shoot many yet just did a quick shot or two offhand no bench work. Will have to try that load some more to see how it works.

haroldclark · « **Reply #3 on:** August 01, 2004, 03:38:32 PM »

I have used the 16 grain load of Alliant 2400 with a Saeco #316 150 gr FP GC 30/30 and it shot excellent in my 16" Contender barrel. I have it listed as an "Accuracy Load" with an approximate velocity of 1650 fps from the 16" barrel.

I have also used Alliant 2400 with my 30-06, 444 Marlin and 45-70. I tried it in my 7X57 Mauser with a 165 grain cast bullet. The report on that one is still out. I had OAL difficulties with that load.

The rest of the cartridges liked the 2400.

Harold Clark

jh45gun · « **Reply #4 on:** August 01, 2004, 03:41:25 PM »

Thanks for the info Harold. Jim

jgalar · « **Reply #5 on:** August 01, 2004, 05:37:20 PM »

I load 9 grains of Unique with a gas checked 170 grain Lee bullet in my 30-30 and it performs great. When loaded individually at 50 yards it will shoot a group that can probably be covered with a quarter. When shot with a full magazine it opens up quite a bit. Not what I would call pwerfull, but fun and cheap.