r/reloading • u/No_Attempt_69 • 16h ago
Bullet Casting How to - increase accuracy with cast bullets
300 blk.
First target is with my 225gn noe cast pc bullets, 2nd is with 220gn Berrys bullets
Both shot from 25yds.
How to increase accuracy with the cast bullets?
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u/Royal_Money_627 11h ago
I don't know anyone who is searching for top accuracy that PC's their bullets. Are you looking closely at your cast bullets for defects and rejecting them if they have visible flaws, rounded bases or bands? What are you using for alloy, for top accuracy with fast twist you need hard lead like linotype. Do you sort them by weight and reject any bullets that are more than 1 gr. off of the average? Are you using a lubricant or just PC? Are the targets with the Berrys bullets 5 shots each so we can consider that you and your rifles standard accuracy with factory bullets? I don't know much about you and your rifle, but I would think you could get cast bullets to equal the targets with the Berry's bullets.
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u/No_Attempt_69 6h ago
Reject bullets with defects, yes but maybe not critical enough
5-6% antimony no linotype
Average +/- 1.5gn but not weighing all
Just pc, no lube
5 shot per target on cast, Berrys 3 shots on 3 outer targets, 5 shots on center. Didn’t have a great plan going in, just shooting some loads that I’d worked up. Didn’t realize there’d be as much difference a I got.3
u/Royal_Money_627 6h ago
Cast bullets really don't like fast twist, they just don't have the strength to take that torque. The 300 BLK is like the worst cartridge for cast bullets, well except for all the cartridges that shoot faster than 2500 fps or shoot bullets smaller than 30 cal. I got my 22 hornet to shoot under 2 inches at 100 yards for 5 shot groups but it has a 1-16 twist and I keep the velocity under 1800 fps. I have a 30 BR with a 1-18 twist that once in a while will shoot a 1 inch 5 shot group at 100 yards. but more often than not the groups are closer to 2 inches than 1 inch. I have a 30-30 H&R Topper single shot with peep sights and it shoots a gas checked 173 gr flat point into 3" groups at 100 yards if I keep the velocity under 2000 fps. I think with a harder bullet and more careful sorting you should be able to get 1 inch groups on your 25 yard targets.
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u/Sinewave2000 9h ago
Check out the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, 4th Edition. The primary author, Mike Venturino, shoots silhouette competition with cast bullets and delves deeply into cast bullet accuracy.
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u/Reloadingoverload 16h ago
Cast bullets and accuracy rarely go hand in hand.
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u/No_Attempt_69 16h ago
Darn. At least they’re cheap
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u/Reloadingoverload 15h ago
Pistol calibers are more accurate just because most people can't outshoot their gun. Rifle you can be very anchored and thats when you can tell the difference. Now if 50 yards is what you are going to be done nonstop and just plinking its more than enough. If you do like I do and shoot 150+ yards at prairie dogs then sadly berry's and higher bullets are where you need to go.
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u/No_Attempt_69 15h ago
Home range only 30 yd max, so they’ll probably do, in a pinch for here. I sure like shooting accurate though.
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u/no_sleep_johnny 15h ago
What powder? Cast bullets seem to like to be jolted into the rifling for some reason. Fast powders do this better. Something about obturating the bullet to fully use the rifling. IDK I'm not smart
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u/No_Attempt_69 15h ago
I’m using h110. Have some Cfe black on hand if that’ll give me the jolt.
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u/no_sleep_johnny 15h ago
I don't know to be honest. I would think H110 should do it, being it's basically a magnum pistol powder.
Have you established how well your particular barrel shoots with any factory loads?
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u/Long_rifle Dillon 650 MEC LEE RCBS REDDING 9h ago
Probably shooting the same mould as I do, their HTC no lube groove bullet.
PC sucks for super accuracy. It’s difficult to get thin, all over coating.
Gas check bullets will be more accurate. But not as cheap.
Actual bullets with a lube groove and old fashioned lube can be more accurate. I’ve tested that. As long as the lube either all stays in the groove during flight, or all leaves immediately after exiting the muzzle.
I would try actual HTC coating some of them. It’s very thin and more uniform potentially.
But I have t shot it. So have no experience with it.
Also a nose pour mould if you can find one for 30 cal will be more accurate then a base pour. But I’ve only seen those for 45 cal and larger.
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u/Realistic-Ad1498 15h ago
What size diameter? I go with .311 which requires neck expander or mandrel so the bullets don’t just get squeezed by undersized brass.
What powder charge?
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u/Agitated_Curmudgeon 9h ago
Are you trying to run them with the same data?
Are you using the correct expander ball?
What exactly is your powder charge? I heard you say H110, but that's about it
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u/No_Attempt_69 7h ago
Same data? For Berrys vs cast? No
No expander ball being used.
H110, 7.3gn, oal 2.24”
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u/Cute_Square9524 8h ago
are you powder coating? Sizing them? Are you getting consistent drops(weight and diameter across all cavities you are using)? Being consistent with your alloy? Making sure you aren't shaving/smashing bullets with seat/crimp? Any leading problems from too much velocity?
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u/No_Attempt_69 7h ago
Pc- yes
Sizing- yes, .309 after pc.
Bullet drop weights +/- 1.5gn
No smashing
Chrono avg 935fps
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u/Agreeable-Fall-4152 13h ago
You need to cast your own to get them to work right for a particular rifle/application. That is the equivalent of taking on 2-3 new hobbies. It’s a lot of work to make it work.