Author Topic: .348 Caliber LCFN?  (Read 1660 times)

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Offline Dutch4122

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.348 Caliber LCFN?
« on: April 26, 2005, 10:22:23 AM »
Veral-

I'm interested in ordering one of your .348 cal. LCFN molds.  My question is, what is my choice of bullet weights I can order?

Thanks,
-Matt

Offline Veral

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.348 Caliber LCFN?
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2005, 06:33:01 PM »
For most rifles, the LCFN is suitable in 225 and 250 gr, but if your particular rifle has a nonstandard long throat, heavier may be OK, or the LFN may be a better choice.  With a customer provided throat slug accompanying an order I will determine the bullet styles and maximum weight your rifle will handle, and, after contacting you, cut whatever you want.   I have made a few 280 gr, and occasionally a rifle has enough throat to handle up to 300 gr.  Stability is not a problem with stout loads, if the rifle has enough throat to chamber them.
Veral Smith

Offline Dutch4122

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.348 Caliber LCFN?
« Reply #2 on: May 23, 2005, 01:45:14 AM »
With a jacketed bullet seated backwards in a case, I get a throat length measured at .061."  The rifle is a Winchester M71 with a 24" barrel that slugs right on at .348."

I am leaning toward a 225 grn or a 250 grn LCFN.  Don't think I would have a need to go any heavier than 250 grn.  Probably won't shoot anything bigger than deer or black bear with this rifle.  Would you recommend the 225 grn or the 250?

Thanks for your advice,
-Matt

Offline Veral

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.348 Caliber LCFN?
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2005, 05:44:29 AM »
Your rifle has the most common throating.  Almost nothing.  

If you choose  the LCFN, I reccomend a 250 gr, because the nose is long on this bullet and it needs lots of bearing for top accuracy.  In this weight the ballistic coefficient will probably beat any other 348 bullet available, jacketed or cast.   If you choose a weight between 200 and 230 gr, get the LFN, which will be most accurate because of it's longer bearing surface, yet will chamber easily with gc inside the cartridge neck.

But 200 gr will will kill deer and black bear as quick and clean as the heavy weight at ranges to 150 yards or so.  By this I mean that expansion with air cooled wheel weight metal will be cartain out to that range, if velocity at the muzzle is at least 2100 fps or higher. --   Because of the high B.C. the above LCFN would probably expand reliably out to another 100 yards with the 2100 fps start velocity, or if run at max velocity, which would be 2300-2400 fps if LBT bullet lube is used, the bullet will probably expand reliably out to 350-400 yards.

From the above, you, and other readers, can make the best determination based on how you intend to use the gun, how much recoil you want to take etc.  I will add, that probably the most flexible bullet so far as all types of use in the lower 48 states, to include plinking and general playing, with capability for all game found here, would be a 225 gr LFN.

You didn't mention bore diameter, and it isn't a factor until I set up to cut the mold, but .350 diameter will fit and shoot best in 99% of the 348's I've measured.  And I've measured a lot of them.  So if you just order that diameter, you'll have a mold suitable for almost anyone's gun, should you someday want to supply a friend with bullets, or purchase a second rifle.
Veral Smith

Offline Dutch4122

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.348 Caliber LCFN?
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2005, 07:37:44 AM »
Looks like the 225 grn LFN is exactly what I need. The bore of my rifle slugs right on at .348," nice and smooth with no constictions felt while pushing the slug through the bore.  I'll be ordering the mold cut to drop the slug at least .002" over with wheelweight as you suggested.  

Thanks for taking the time to anwer my questions so thoroghly; you brought up several points that I hadn't considered.
-Matt

Offline Veral

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.348 Caliber LCFN?
« Reply #5 on: June 05, 2005, 06:32:29 AM »
Thank YOU for doing your homework so well Dutch.

My molds are expensive, because they are premium, and all these "points I've brought up" are details that are mandatory for you to really get performance, enjoy what you are buying.  By making sure all the details are right and cutting the mold for your specific needs, or your individual guns requirements. You'll never be sorry that you took the time to get every thing exactly right.

Because we customize this way, and no other moldmaker does, or knows how to, LBT does not have a competitor.
Veral Smith