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Cast .312 bullets

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Travis View Drop Down
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    Posted: February 28 2020 at 5:42pm
I have 2 SMLEs that I load with .312 jacketed spire point bullets.  I thought I'd try to cast some bullets for them for target shooting.  I cast up a couple dozen of the Lee .312 bullets but was surprised of the micrometer measurements of the bullets.  I'm wondering how they will shoot.  The rib view that iis cut off measures .314.  I would have guessed that the body of the bullet would have been closer to ..312.  Any one else use these bullets?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 01 2020 at 12:01pm
The photo of your sketch doesn’t show the diameter of the driving bands. Ideally, they would be groove diameter, .314 for a nominal sized barrel.  The remainder of the bullet forward of the driving bands are usually just over bore diameter. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 01 2020 at 5:42pm
I'm reading that  as the measurement on the right of the sketch (0.3100)?

Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Travis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 01 2020 at 9:00pm
That number .31 was cut off my the printer.  It measures .314.  A .30 caliber gas check fits snugly on the .285.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 02 2020 at 4:59am
Give it a go and let us know how it shoots.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Travis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 06 2020 at 9:16am
I have 20 bullets cast with gas checks.  I'll get them lubed with carnuba blue and loaded with a "light' hunting load of 43 grains of BLC-(2).  I usually use 46 grains for my hunting loads.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 06 2020 at 12:27pm
Will that push the bullet too fast?  What alloy are you casting the bullets from?  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Travis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 14 2020 at 6:51pm
I went ahead and put together 10 rounds with these cast bullets.  I used 44 grains of H4831 as that should give me a muzzle velocity of about 2200 fps.  This was the minimum loading from the Lee manual.  All the bullets fit the resized  cases without being sized (the bullets).  Now to get some decent weather to try out the loads on the outdoor range.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pukka Bundook Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 15 2020 at 6:26am
Travis,
I think with cast you need to drop back to 18-1900 FPS and no faster.
You'll lead-up your barrel with those loads.  Gas-checks will not help if too fast.
 
Blue dot works very well for the above speeds.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 303 Hunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 15 2020 at 10:06am
What's the weight of those bullets?
The Lee Enfield is to the Canadian north what the Winchester repeater was to the American west.   Cal Bablitz
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Travis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 07 2020 at 6:56pm
303hunter, they weigh out at 155 grains without the gas check.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Travis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 25 2020 at 9:30am
Well, so much for best laid plans.  With this virus issue my gun range is shut down for the duration.  As soon as it's up and running I'll take these loads out for testing.  I'm open for suggestions as to a possible "low velocity" load for 155 grain cast bullets.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote robj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 08 2020 at 6:29pm
have a look at an article by C.E Harris "Cast bullet loads for Military Rifles"

16 grains of 2400 is the suggested starting point.  It does require sight adjustments - setting to 600 for 100yd targets for example.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Travis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 15 2020 at 8:52am
I guess it's finally happened.  My local gun range is now open.  Since the weather has been improving (no rain, or at least limited rain), I can make it out and see what a couple of those new rounds do.  I'll try to run 3 or 4 rounds through each of my Enfields.
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