Cast bullets in .303

[Stoney]

Have you considered paper patching those .311" cast projos? This would add the nneeded girth to help seal the projo in the rifling as well as possibly improving accuracy.

I've never done it myself but it isn't an unusual method when it comes to shooting cast pills.

Hadn't considered using TB in a 32-20! Very interesting. I'm using 2205 behind Redback 115gn coated cast FN pills. Out of my 1892 Winchester this combo works well, but your comment has picqued my interest.

I am planning on shooting cast in several of my 303's also, so will be keen to read more or your pathway to knowledge in this regard.

I have paper-patched other bullets, but I think you would want a smaller-diameter bullet to be able to patch it. I paper patched .243" jacketed bullets up to .270" for the Carcano with decent results.

I have a box of 400 gunnie, that's a lot of patching Just out of interest, what type of paper do you use blade? I like that old school big game hunter look of patched bullets.

[bladeracer]

I have a box of 400 gunnie, that's a lot of patching Just out of interest, what type of paper do you use blade? I like that old school big game hunter look of patched bullets.

I just used copy paper. It's a fiddly way to do it but it got me shooting the old girl while I was waiting for bullets that worked.

[Stoney]

I honestly think the .313” 115gr 32-20 bb bullets over say 9-10gr AP70N might actually work... If you lik I could send you a handful to try

Would I need to add a filler to that load?

[in2anity]

I honestly think the .313” 115gr 32-20 bb bullets over say 9-10gr AP70N might actually work... If you lik I could send you a handful to try

Would I need to add a filler to that load?

A partial fill of AP70N is ok - it’s not as position sensitive as many rifle powders. I’ve never used filler

[Stoney]

I honestly think the .313” 115gr 32-20 bb bullets over say 9-10gr AP70N might actually work... If you lik I could send you a handful to try

Would I need to add a filler to that load?

A partial fill of AP70N is ok - it’s not as position sensitive as many rifle powders. I’ve never used filler

Ok, thanks for that in2anity. I will buy that powder if it is not a ton of hassels

[in2anity]

Ok, thanks for that in2anity. I will buy that powder if it is not a ton of hassels

Start with TB I reckon - it should shoot pretty well with that (in theory)

[Maxjon]

G'day All,
I have a silly question regarding cast bullets in a .303 if you could help. So, I am using Hawksbury River .311 180 grn cast bullets with the black coating. I am shooting at 50 yards at this stage with my Savage No4 Mk1* over open sights with a starting load of 23 grns of AR2206H. All good but accuracy not so good so I loaded 3 rounds in increments of .5 grn up until 24.5 grns were I encountered a cloud of blue smoke? The projectiles are non gas checked. Is that an indication of pushing the cast bullet too fast? Cheers.

The cloud of blue smoke will be lead! You will have a leaded barrel....Gascheck needed

[Maxjon]

I had another thought- what are the bases like on your projectiles? Is there room for a gas check? Often the implications of a "designed-to-be-gaschecked" projectile seems to equate to a smaller rifling bearing surface on the lead itself, thus meaning less area to stabilise (when gas checks are omitted).

Yes mate, they are .308 gas checkable. No one makes a gas check in .311 go figure I really didn't want to go there with all the equipment involved in sizing and crimping and such. I just wanted to shoot lead bullets for fun.

All you need is the Hornady .30 Cal Gas checks... they will do 308 thru to .314 cast bullets. simply tap them on your HRBC and push them thru a Lee sizer, preferably .312..job done!

[bladeracer]

All you need is the Hornady .30 Cal Gas checks... they will do 308 thru to .314 cast bullets. simply tap them on your HRBC and push them thru a Lee sizer, preferably .312..job done!

.312" is too small for cast bullets in my .303's. I drop them at .314" and don't size them smaller than that.

[Maxjon]

All you need is the Hornady .30 Cal Gas checks... they will do 308 thru to .314 cast bullets. simply tap them on your HRBC and push them thru a Lee sizer, preferably .312..job done!

.312" is too small for cast bullets in my .303's. I drop them at .314" and don't size them smaller than that.

Well .314 Lee sizer then, to crimp Hornady GC on.....My 303s are post war, .312-.313 shoot pretty good so far, but more testing is needed. I currently only have Lee .312 molds for 303..CBE 200gn .311 for .308, that shoots very well!