Just started casting around September 2016 for my .357 and 38 spl which has worked out extremely well. I recently (few months) started casting for my M&P 9mm and after sending my barrel out for work (crown, polishing and reaming), it's working out well.
I'm leaning towards not only casting for my 10mm pinking loads but also for my hunting loads.
How many here cast WFN (180-220 grain) bullets for hunting ? Any issues feeding issues, etc ?
Favorite boolit mold design, etc ?
Yep, I'm a member of Cast Boolits and some of you are too (some not), however, I'm posting here for all 10 mm enthusiasts!
I have several 10mm molds.
I have a Lee 175 grain TL-SWC six cavity that is used for practice ammo. Great mold, and a design that probably would work fine for hunting small to medium game. The SWC profile feeds OK in all my guns as long as COAL is below 1.250"
I have a Mountain Mold 205 grain WFN two cavity. I got this mold in trade. The guy I got it from intended it for use in his 38-40 and his 10mm Dan Wesson. He had feeding issues in the Dan Wesson, and had found another design he liked better. Great mold, and again, runs fine in my guns as long as COAL is 1.250" or less. I suspect the gentleman I got it from loaded above that COAL and that was his issue. The 1.250" limit if due to feed issues in my Para P16-40/10mm, and I suspect it is 1911 geometry specific.
While I really like the mountain mold, 2 cavity is slow going once you are accustomed to the mountain of bullets you can make with a five or six cavity mold. So, I grabbed an NOE 403-200 RG 4 cavity mold. The RG mold comes with flat point and hollow point pins. I have cast both and they both run fine in my guns. At this point my loading practice is not to go over 1.250", so I don't know if these would run in my 1911 10mm's at a longer COAL or not.
I don't really hunt much so I can't speak to direct experience in terminal performance except in pumpkins and water jugs. I can tell you that the 205 grain WFN, cast from isotope lead and water dropped for a BHN of about 22, and loaded to 1150 fps will penetrate all the way through eleven 1-gallon milk jugs of water. Not sure how many more it would go through, eleven was all that would fit on the table and the bullet was long gone. The first two jugs were destroyed by "hydrostatic shock", three was badly ruptured, and four to eleven had nice even .400" holes in them. I keep meaning to repeat the test with air cooled bullets and see if I get different results, but haven't done so yet.
I appreciate the reply.
What velocities are you pushing the 175 TL at ? Accuracy ? Do you see any pressure signs with the 1.250" OAL ?
I run full power (180gr at 1350) 10mm in my RIA 6" Pro since I hunt with it.
I use the Lee 6 cavity TL358-158 SWC for my .357. Even with a BHN of 20-22 (and I tried 10-18 BHN), the accuracy is not as good as a PB design at magnum velocities of 1300-1,400 fps
I also have LEE's 175 TC mold, I usually cast around a 12-14BHN and 'shake n bake'.
I've pushed them as hard as 1,400 fps, but settled most (suitable) powders at around 1,280 to 1,330.
It's an accurate bullet that has always cycled perfectly at 1.250.
Can't comment on it's weight / meplat effectiveness on game as I don't hunt.
I meant to say that the standard lube groove gives me better accuracy over the TL design in my .357.
Cast bullets give me about 100 fps faster velocities over jacketed and copper bullets so I can back off my charges a bit, then again, that's not why I bought the 10 mm in the first place ;D
I may pick up the Lee 401-175 TC for range loads until I can find a group buy for a HTC with the WFN design in 180 or 200grain.
I cast a 190 grain FNGC from an Accurate mold for my 10mm Glock. Accuracy is outstanding. I've never taken game with this bullet as I carry 180 Nosler JHP's for hunting.
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/Randominator/10mmmold_zps36183937.jpg) (http://s128.photobucket.com/user/Randominator/media/10mmmold_zps36183937.jpg.html)
Randominator, very nice looking bullets, what gas checks are you using?
Agreed, good looking bullet!
I picked up Accurate's 40-195G but haven't had the chance to shoot any of em' yet :(
I had the LEE TL401-175-SWC mold. I shot smaller groups with that bullet than any FMJ bullet. I sold that mold and now only have the LEE 401-145-SWC because lead is hard to find (at a low cost) in California and paper can't tell the difference.
I do not know if your State requires hollow points. California does, so solid lead is out, and in a few years, all lead (even hollow points) will be out.
I have had shot tight groups with resized 41 caliber cast bullets. http://10mm-firearms.com/reloading-10mm-ammo/41-magnum-bullets-in-a-10mm/
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I'm currently working with Noe trying to get a design and group buy done on a HTC-402-180-WFN with a HP option. Of coarse, it takes a minimum of 10 for it to happen.
http://noebulletmolds.com/smf/index.php/topic,2036.0.html
If this doesn't work out, I'll get Arsenal to make me a custom 5 cavity.
Never really looked at Arsenal, might have to pick up their 403-180 :)
http://arsenalmolds.com/bullet-molds?product_id=103 (http://arsenalmolds.com/bullet-molds?product_id=103)
edit: Ordered it :)
Picked up some 200 grain TC cast with a BHN of 16 sized at .401 from ACME and seeing some potential.
Pistol: RIA Pro Match, Model 52,000
Benchrest: 25 yds
Bullet: 200 grain TC PB cast, .401"
Lube: 45-45-10
Case: Starline .985"
Primer: WLP
Powder: 8gr of Longshot
COL: 1.250"
Velocity: 1227 fps ES: 10 SD: 3
30 shots at 25yds off the bench:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v91/kennygates/Mobile%20Uploads/BC3FBB07-D6B0-42C1-B3A0-15501A1CD7A6_zpsfieby9qn.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kennygates/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BC3FBB07-D6B0-42C1-B3A0-15501A1CD7A6_zpsfieby9qn.jpg.html)
I use Gator Checks for every caliber I can buy them for.
Quote from: Randominator on May 21 2017 05:56:26 AM MDT
I use Gator Checks for every caliber I can buy them for.
I've ran my various casts up to 1400 fps and have not had any leading or accuracy issues using plain base designs (no gas checks).
Even my .357 mag with a BHN of 11 at 1425 has had no issues....fit has proven to be the largest factor for both leading and accuracy issues. However, I'm talking pistol velocities.
The TC 180 & 200 gr design naturally runs great in my RIA Pro Match with COL 1.250- 1.260. There was no difference in velocities (same charge at different depths) , etc except the 180 gr shot the best groups with a COL of 1.260 and the 200 gr did best with a 1.250". Boths loads were using longshot powder with WLP primers.
My plans are to have a custom boolit mold made for 200 or 220gr with a slick side for PC'ing (no lube groove) . However, I'm not sure how wide of a nose I can get to run reliably.
PS: Anyone willing to help me out by sending me 3-5 WFN that I can hand cycle test ?
I have some 190 grain with a .300" nose and 230 grain with a .310" I can send. Is this what you're looking for? PM me if interested.
Quote from: Randominator on May 28 2017 09:06:20 AM MDT
I have some 190 grain with a .300" nose and 230 grain with a .310" I can send. Is this what you're looking for? PM me if interested.
Exactly what I'm looking for and willing to pay shipping, etc
Will follow up with PM of my address and any futher discussions.
This is awesome and greatly appreciated
Quote from: TXCOONDOG on May 28 2017 09:11:15 AM MDT
Quote from: Randominator on May 28 2017 09:06:20 AM MDT
I have some 190 grain with a .300" nose and 230 grain with a .310" I can send. Is this what you're looking for? PM me if interested.
Exactly what I'm looking for and willing to pay shipping, etc
Will follow up with PM of my address and any futher discussions.
This is awesome and greatly appreciated
I recieved them. Even with a COL 1.260" they feed flawlessly by hand so time to order a mold or two, maybe three....lol
Greatly appreciate your help.
Let me know if I can ever be of assistance!
Had Arsenal create this mold:
http://arsenalmolds.com/products?product_id=161
Very Nice bullet for PC use without any lube grooves...
Went to the range yesterday to test the 200gr cast TC with AA# 9. I forgot to take a picture of my target before I left or remove it from the stand before placing it in my truck bed so it blew away.
Needless to say, after 10 shoots in the same ragged hole the next 25 did not appear on paper due to going through the same hole......yep, you'll have to take my word.
Bullet: 200 grain TC PB cast, .401"
Lube: 45-45-10
Case: Starline .985"
Primer: WLP
Powder: 12.5 gr of AA# 9
COL: 1.250"
Velocity: 1270 fps ES: 11 SD: 04
......................................................................
Bullet: 200 grain TC PB cast, .401"
Lube: 45-45-10
Case: Starline .985"
Primer: WLP
Powder: 13gr of AA# 9
COL: 1.250"
Velocity: 1308 fps ES: 16 SD: 06
I can't wait to get my Arsenal WFN-PC mold.
Quote from: The_Shadow on June 15 2017 06:43:58 PM MDT
Very Nice bullet for PC use without any lube grooves...
I'm excited about it and I also requested a trough be cut in the sprue plate.
Until I recieve it, I have 20lbs of Lee 401-175 TC to work with:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v91/kennygates/Mobile%20Uploads/F448A840-8951-4C7D-A695-92670465AAA5_zpsvhubpxpw.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kennygates/media/Mobile%20Uploads/F448A840-8951-4C7D-A695-92670465AAA5_zpsvhubpxpw.jpg.html)
Even though most already know this, I must add my
Disclaimer:
The information listed is for my pistol, for my use only and is intended for information only. If you decide to buy, use, follow, etc based on the information I have provided than you are doing so at your own risk.
Coondog, that's a heck of a target you posted.
TCD--- what did your bore slug to?? (IIRC it was .400") ---my 52000 slugged at .401" (so did the 40 cal bbl in my p224) ---I ordered some 200wfn's at .402" from montana---he is hi-tek coating them for me to be a guinea pig for him on the coating
Mine slugged at .401"-.401.5" (4 measurements)
At velocities below 1100 and a bhn of 15 and higher, I run .402-.403 because it doesn't obturate fast enough to seal the bore to prevent gas cutting and leading.
However, using COWW + 2% tin which has a BHN of 11 and running a180gr between 1200- 1300plus, I can get away with a diameter of .401" without any leadings issues.
PS: I forgot to mention that those are powder coated and/or lubed w/ a plain base design (no gas checks)
I'm running the MiHec 200 grain bullet as shown on the attached link.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?171093-Mihec-10mm-200gr-WFN-40s-amp-w-180gr-HP-4-cavity-Brass
Been loading it with Blue Dot.
Haven't had a chance to wring it out completely, but is accurate with every load I've tried.