Cast in .270win ? ...why not ?

[Wolfdog91]

Gf has been talking about wanting to shoot her .270 more and more but after seeing the slow motion video I too of me shooting it she wasn't too keen on shooting it with regular loads..... Definitely not her dad's old hand loads ( he passed earlier last year and me and her got all his outdoor and gun related stuff )I shot lol but yeah told her I'd see what I could do with cast bullets to which she was super excited about having different colored bullets to plink with. So was able to get a single cavity lee mold off a guy on cast boolits for next to nothing, sizers gas checks ECT from NOE and was finally able to put something together. And right off the bat it's looking really promising! No leading to speak of light recoil, little loud but not bad at all with ear pro.

 

[jds holler]

Wolfdog, you're always bringing a new twist to the game.

I just happened to have my old Lyman book close at hand. Sometimes this old pistol powder loads are amazingly accurate for what you're doing. I'm kind of surprised that 2400 isn't listed among these. jd

 

[Ggmac]

I really like your technique. I wish I could cast as well . I think you’re on to something with reduced loads , just like the 1950-60s , just improved .

 

[Brians356]

Worth reviewing: Chapter 10 of the Lee reloading manual. According to Richard Lee, as long as you are not using a slow-burning powder, you may reduce any loads up to 60% of max. He explains how to use Lee's published "One Grain Reduction" factor to estimate velocity reduction for N grains below max. I used H4895 for Tubb Final Finish firelapping loads in my M77 in 270 Win with great results.
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[K22]

Reduced loads can extend the shooting life of "shoulder busters" for old farts like me, especially if you have a spinal condition where recoil is not a good thing.

I went that route a few years back with my 308, IMR4198, and 125 grain Hornady SST's. It worked quite well. I was amazed at the accuracy I was obtaining with Speer published load data; about 2,000 f/s.; 5/8" moa at 100 yards.

IMR 4895 is another good powder with published load data for reduced loads.

I since have sold my 308 to conserve and consolidate component inventory / costs but if you have one of those "shoulder busters" in your gun cabinet and have become recoil sensitive, you may want to try some reduce loadings.

 

[JSH]

Unique is your friend of your gonna plan with cast bullets. Don’t know about availability, might be like mentioning trail boss. Though I will say I never had trail boss impress me much.
There is data/formula for about any bottle neck cartridge of a specific case capacity, using 2400. Seems like 12-16 grains………..
I stumbled into a large amount of SR4759, so I have not fooled with the 2400 for a long time.
5744, is decent but I would not say it is any where close to 4759, at least in my findings of a good dozen or so cartridges.
IMR 4198 works well, but running through anything but a B&M measure is a pita.

One of my old mentors for casting shot a pile of lead through 25-06,270 and 6.5x55.

 

[jackieschmidt]

What hardness of lead are you using?
I have not cast a bullet in 40 years, I still have my 45 caliber molds for. I used wheel weights back then.

 

[DiffEQ]

There are a couple pistol powders where using for reduced load in a rifle is strongly discouraged.
I'd recommend making sure 2400 is safe. I use unique or Hodgdon International.

 

[Wolfdog91]

Unique is your friend of your gonna plan with cast bullets. Don’t know about availability, might be like mentioning trail boss. Though I will say I never had trail boss impress me much.
There is data/formula for about any bottle neck cartridge of a specific case capacity, using 2400. Seems like 12-16 grains………..
I stumbled into a large amount of SR4759, so I have not fooled with the 2400 for a long time.
5744, is decent but I would not say it is any where close to 4759, at least in my findings of a good dozen or so cartridges.
IMR 4198 works well, but running through anything but a B&M measure is a pita.

One of my old mentors for casting shot a pile of lead through 25-06,270 and 6.5x55.

You know EVERYONE talks about unique but man I can NEVER find the stuff, Evey ow and then it pops up when I'm broke but when I'm picking up powder , nothing. That and I'm only home for 10days out the month I kinda just work with what I got while I'm home will be trying to get some when I can but I also like messing with other powders , mainly because when theirs a shortage I won't be so stuck

 

[Wolfdog91]

What hardness of lead are you using?
I have not cast a bullet in 40 years, I still have my 45 caliber molds for. I used wheel weights back then.

These should be at least 16bhn