Home Forums Reloading Bullet Casting need help to get started

Hello all
I'm new to the art of casting and I'd like some advise on alloys for velocities up to 2000fps . I'd like to be able to use common stuff like wheel weights and pure lead. maybe 2000fps is to much?? I'll be casting 30cal stuff for my old 303 sav and my 300 sav .
thanks Plab

Plab,

Ww's are the best to start with. Pure lead is almost never used in any brass cased guns unless your shooting heal bullets, like .22's, or making composite bullets. Your brst off to start with the tried and true Lyman or RCBS cast bullet handbook. The lower end velocity loads (1100 to 1500fps) are the most forgiving to start with. After you get that down then moving on to higher speed load (1600 to 2000fps) can be achieved. Jumping to HV from the begining and not learning all the little quirks of shooting cast usually turns out to be a disaster.Start out by reading all the info you can get on your particular calibur. Use the search button on the forum header and copy or print and save any info applicable ..Geo

Twenty years ago I came across a load of 800 lbs of raw lead, and a zillion pounds of linotype. I have mixed this stuff together 50/50 with a gascheck on any bullet, and have had velocities well up to 2400 fps with no leading. I have even shot 180 grain bullets from a Garand with the action functioning flawlessly and never fouled the gas piston. However, I have always found that the best accuracy is with the velocity around 1600 to 1800 fps.

I do have WW but never needed them (yet).

As far as the 303 Savage and the 300 Savage...I have loaded them for years with cast bullets and have favorable results. Let me know if you wish to have a listing of my loads...it will save you lots of experimenting.

rooster

Plab,
For anything over 12-1300 I use 8 pounds of wheel weight lead and 2 pounds of 50/50 solder. Quite a few pounds of that mix has gone through my 30-06 with very little leading. Steve

thanks all and thanks rooster I would like to have your load data that you have it'll give me a good place to start

Plab

I have tried to send the group my info on 303 loads, but my format doesn't match the site, and it will not go. Mail me at
roosterf106@yahoo.com
and I will give you the 300, 303, and also a "formula" which allows the making of 303 Savage brass from 220 Swift.

rooster