Author Topic: Loaded up some Cast and Lead Free  (Read 2078 times)

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Hylander

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Loaded up some Cast and Lead Free
« on: January 16, 2023, 01:14:26 PM »
Loaded up some:
C312-155-2R sized .312
Allaint 2400 at 12.5, 13.5, 14, 14.5, 15gr.
Ocl at 2.165
Will be shooting them tomorrow and also some loads with 123gr. Nosler lead free
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burbank.jung

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Re: Loaded up some Cast and Lead Free
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2023, 12:30:25 AM »
Thanks for posting. I've been looking for Speer .310-123gr bullets with no success and might have to consider casting bullets for my sks. Please post your results. 

cvasqu03

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Re: Loaded up some Cast and Lead Free
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2023, 02:04:07 PM »
I assume you mean 7.62x39?  Are you using the LEE die?

It's been a few years since I cast or reload any rounds (been away for work and had to move a few times) but now that things are settling down a bit, I've been hoping to get back into it.  I was thinking about going the powder coat route using copper metallic powder.  What kind of lube or coating are you using?  Are you using gas checks?  I'd be interested in seeing any pictures you have of your completed rounds. 

Best of luck at the range, don't forget to have fun!
I am the one they call Cesar.

Hylander

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Re: Loaded up some Cast and Lead Free
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2023, 01:57:32 AM »
7.62x39
RCBS Dies with Lyman M-die finished with LEE factory crimp die. Bullets are lubed with with a factory lube and then I  also hand coat with LEE liquid Alox, bullets are also gas checked.
Will try to resize a couple pics, system won't let me upload, says to large.
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branflakes

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Re: Loaded up some Cast and Lead Free
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2023, 08:03:21 AM »
Is there a place to order any lead free bullets? Does anyone else make 123gr lead free? Or I guess weight doesn't matter too much to me but .310 or .311 diameter.
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Filroy77

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Re: Loaded up some Cast and Lead Free
« Reply #5 on: January 26, 2023, 08:54:16 AM »
I’m pretty sure X-treme makes lead free bullets in the 3.12-3.14 range.
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Hylander

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Re: Loaded up some Cast and Lead Free
« Reply #6 on: January 26, 2023, 09:37:41 PM »
I’m pretty sure X-treme makes lead free bullets in the 3.12-3.14 range.

Not that I have seen
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res45

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Re: Loaded up some Cast and Lead Free
« Reply #7 on: January 27, 2023, 08:49:48 AM »
I use the Lee Pacesetter 3 die set but I don't use the FCD die that comes in the set for cast bullets but rather use the provided roll crimp on the bullet seater die on the crimp groove, I reserve the FCD for jacketed bullets only.  You will also need to expand the case neck and mouth slightly more than the provided expander rod that comes with the die set, it works fine for jacketed bullets but is a little undersized for cast bullets.


What I use to expand the case neck and mouth is a Lee Universal expander die with a NOE drop in two-step expander  I size my bullets to .314" and the expander sizes the neck to .312" and the case mouth to .316" which allow the gas checked bullet to easily set in the case mouth and be seated straight.  NOE has also recently come out with a line of two-step powder through expanders that are used with either the Lee long or short powder through dies, you can buy the kit with the appropriate die or just buy the expander if you already have the dies, this allows you to expand and charge the case at the same time, you have to choose which expander diameter you want at checkout from the drop-down list which in my case the .316 x .312 is available. I recently purchased several of the powder through expanders for 9 mm 45 ACP and 7.62 x 39 but haven't had time to test them out as of yet.


For cast bullets in 7.62 x 39 pretty much any of the Lee .312" designs work very well I have the 155, 160 and 185 gr. and they all preform well in my SKS rifles. My favorite is the Lee 160 gr. TL gas check design, and when sized accordingly, it is an excellent bullet in all my other 30 cal. rifles as in 30-06 and 300 Sav. and 54r as well.  The Lyman #4 cast bullet manual has load data for both the 155 and 160 gr. Lee bullets in 7.62 x 39.  I cast mine from 50% pure lead and 50% clip on wheel weights, powder coat with Eastwood Machine Gray or Ford Light or Dark Blue  bake for 20 minutes in a temperature verified convection oven at 400 degrees after flow out i.e. powder glosses over which basically equals to 25 min. once I pop the bullets in the preheated oven.


Once cured I toss them into a five gallon bucket of cold water to increase hardness, size to .314" using a Lee push through sizer which also applies the gas checks and let them set about two weeks to age harden before loading.  My powders of choice are Reloader #7, 2400, 4198 and 4895.


Lee 160 gr. coated with Eastwood Machine Gray.
« Last Edit: January 27, 2023, 04:18:05 PM by res45 »
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Filroy77

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Re: Loaded up some Cast and Lead Free
« Reply #8 on: January 27, 2023, 03:30:54 PM »
I’m pretty sure X-treme makes lead free bullets in the 3.12-3.14 range.

I’m away from the office right now. I’ll check to see what I have when I’m back at my desk. :)
How can these people say such lies? Because lying is not an issue when truth is not a value. Dennis Prager

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Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

Hylander

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Re: Loaded up some Cast and Lead Free
« Reply #9 on: May 29, 2023, 11:56:29 PM »
Shot some cast today.
Took a minimum of 14.5gr. To function the action. Accuracy is looking good but have to mold more for further testing.
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cvasqu03

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Re: Loaded up some Cast and Lead Free
« Reply #10 on: May 30, 2023, 02:20:08 AM »
Shot some cast today.
Took a minimum of 14.5gr. To function the action. Accuracy is looking good but have to mold more for further testing.

Interesting.  Is this still with the Aliant 2400?  Have you tried any other powders?
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Groovy Mike

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Re: Loaded up some Cast and Lead Free
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2023, 03:13:42 PM »
Shot some cast today.
Took a minimum of 14.5gr. To function the action. Accuracy is looking good but have to mold more for further testing.

Hylander what sort of accuracy are you getting with this load?
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Groovy Mike

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Re: Loaded up some Cast and Lead Free
« Reply #12 on: August 09, 2023, 09:36:28 PM »
looking forward to your future range reports.
"Turn to me and be saved...for I am God and there is no other." Isaiah 45:22