Any interest in cast bullets?
 

I have been thinking about designing a cast bullet for the subsonic .308 cartridges. It would be at least 220 grains with possibly a large hollow point. If I can get molds and or bullets made would anyone be interested and what would you like? I like to shoot (a lot) and the only way I can afford it is shoot cast bullets. I am also too much of a tightwad to pay for plated or jacketed bullets unless I have no other choice. I can make my 9mm cast bullet loads for the same price as just the plated bullets and cheaper then jacketed bullets. I also build take apart suppressors so there is no problem with buildup.

I am going to make a mold for myself I am just trying to find out if there is enough interest to have a run of molds made or make bullets ready to go.

I run a lot of cast/gas check through my 338's and like 'em.

If you can come up with a 220 gas check I'd try some... actually if you can come up with some 330gr, sized .376/gas checked and lubed I'd try some of those too.:smile: then we'll talk about some heavy .458.

Cast bullets are an underrated resource, particularly for subsonic hunting.

Cast bullets are a natural for subsonic. Between the fact that lead is slicker then copper and the bullet lube they are much less likely to stick in the bore. Unless you forget to put powder in the case.:smile:

I make and use cast bullets in .308, .366, .375, .416, .458 and .475" for rifle calibers.

Have had great success with accuracy in large chamberings. Have only begun to try cast bullets in the .300/.221. Obviously should not be used with a suppressor.

The problem is that there are few firearms other than those specifically made for shooting subsonics which will do a good job.

The problems are:
1. Too much case capacity to give good velocity uniformity.
2. Too long of twist rates to stabilze long heavy bullets.
3. Too short of magazine or barrel throat to allow long bullets.
4. may clog gas ports when shooting unjacketed lead.

Most bolt action rifles suffer from 1 and 3.
Most semi auto rifles suffer form 1, 3, and 4
Most pistols suffer from 2, and 3

Heavy cast lead works fine in a 300 whiper bolt action just fine. You can shoot cast lead in a 308 too but it won't give great performance because of the excess case capacity. Several methods have been discussed on this site about ways to reduce case capacity.

Where I see the advantage of cast lead is shooting heavy bullets in large bore rifles with long barrels. Cast lead doesn't need hollow points. It expands well with just a round nose Also heavy large bore bullets have decent BCs just because of their mass to sectional area despite the fact they aren't very aerodynamic. I shoot lubricated 525 grain Postell style cast bullets seated deeply in my 45-70 Browning BCPR with fast bulky powder which give both subsonic bullet and propellent velocity at the muzzle. It's quiet enough that hearing protection isn't needed with muzzle pressure well under 1000 psi.

Obviously? Does it cause damage, more effort to clean, or what?

Depending on the mixture used in this mold >>>>HERE<<<< here drops between 210 and 235 grains with the gas-check.

What is the cost shipped per hundred(in your head)? I'm already purchasing these per hundred at $24.50 with an additional $5.10 shipping, and I can get four packages of one hundred at the same shipping rate(flat rate postage).


I really like shooting cast projectiles, as you said...the cost is right for those that like to shoot quite a lot and live on a budget!


Scott

I am currently paying $58/1000 for 145 GR 9mm and $78/1000 for 230gr 45 acp. They are currently charging $36.75/500 or $71.50/1000 for 165 gr RNFP 30 cal cast bullets. I would hope they would be about the same price.

If you are going to shoot cast bullets out of a suppressor you really want a disassembles suppressor for cleaning. It is not the lead it's the bullet lube and burnt powder that fills them up. All the suppressors I make are disassembles for cleaning.

This is what I use in my Whisper/Fireball:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=119903

I'll offer these to anyone here @ $25 shipped per 100; I use only Lar's Carnuba Red lube (multi-world record holding lube). I'll not increase the shipping up to what the PO ships for up to 70 lbs. (IIRC). It takes me a while to get these made, as it's a time-consuming process, so I'm not really making much per hour. I like using these bullets over most, as they have a decent meplat which has a more devastating effect on game.

Kevin

I hit this thread after some google-ing
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...420#post732420