Optimal loads for 10mm PCC (16in barrel)

[gunfan]

Seems like I've seen a few videos with that style of bullet, and were penetrating around 30 or more inches, if I remember correctly

I'll bet that it kicked bootie in the field. Rompin', stompin', kick rump with the quarry wound up DRT!

[John A.]

I think I'm going to try the 155 xtp's.

Out of my 16" barrel, and handloads, I'm getting almost 1800 fps out of them.  1770 fps was pretty close to the hi/lo average I think.  But, the terrain and vegetation where I hunt, I'm limited to a shot typically within 45 yards being the maximum that I can do.  Lots of mountains and hills and valleys and bushes and trees in the way to take a shot much further than that.

So, I don't have as much consideration about drop and velocity and such as anyone hunting in open fields and terrain.

The difference in velocity from the 155 and the 180 gr bullets I have shot, is significant.  And enough so that I would rather try to push the slightly shorter/lighter bullet 300 fps faster at 30 yards.

I'm hoping the soft point/hollow point doesn't tear itself into shreds and is why I'm considering a 175 gr semiwadcutter hardcast bullet, but some of the "right answer" is going to depend on your specific situation of distances and how you're going to be using it.

I generally like lobbing big heavy artillery pieces, but this year, I think I'm going to try pushing a shorter bullet a little harder to see how that does.  For me, again, with how/where I hunt, I think would work better for me.

[Rvrrat14]

I shoot a MechTech 16? carbine upper.   I get 1592 fps from my cast/powder coated boolits.   Lee 401-175-TC.
180 XTP?s at 1508 fps. 

They both stop hogs out to 120+ yards, as that?s as far as I?ve shot one!

[Kenk]

If it?ll drop a hog at that distance, it shouldn?t be an issue for a mid to large size deer

[John A.]

Yeah, that sounds more than adequate for the short distances that I'd be hunting/shooting.

Thanks rvrrat

[Rvrrat14]

No problem!    My alloy is stick on wheel weights + hardball = 11.3 BHN.   No leading and a bit of expansion in media.
I wouldn?t hesitate to shoot a big buck if one presents himself when I have it with me.

Best of luck!

[John A.]

+1

Thank you very much sir.

[Kenk]

The thought of using hard cast for deer hunting has never really crossed my mind until this thread, then I came across a number of folks on another forum that are big supporters of this, and do not subscribe to the concept using JHP for deer. I guess I thought it was just a given to use HP?s for deer, and hard cast for bear, and maybe hogs, but apparently that?s not the case.

[erdyalx]

I use hardcast for deer and elk from our MechTechs and handguns. We are going to experiment with cast hollow points.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

[Kenk]

Very nice, I need to study up on casting to see if it?s realistic equipment and space wise, plus it might be kinda fun

[John A.]

Casting can be as easy or as hard as you make it.

As for equipment, you need at least

Bullet mold
Ladle
Container to melt the lead in
Some sort of fire hot enough to melt it (yes, you can do it over nothing more than a campfire).

Some bees wax also helps separate the bad stuff from the lead too.  A little pinch in raw lead will cause the junk to float up to the top, where you can skim it off with an old tablespoon or something.

Or, you can buy a lee lead pot, bullet mold and everything else I have mentioned earlier.

I mainly use the lee pot, but have used open flame too.

I keep my lead ingots and molding stuff in a big plastic foot locker underneath of my loading bench and just get it out a few times a year when I'm casting an assortment of stuff.

If you're powder coating, you'll need a small toaster over capable of ~400 degrees and the powder coat.  And some plastic bowls with lids.  Parchment paper or some aluminum foil is helpful too so the bullets don't stick to your little toaster tray.

At bare minimum, that's what's needed.  And you'll never be held hostage with never being able to buy a bullet for your favorite gun ever again as long as you can find some old wheel weights.  There's plenty of junkyards that keep old wheel weights and old lead batteries that you can scavenge from.  For now, you can buy lead too.  From multiple places, including even ebay.  Lots of plumbing supply and hardware stores keep lead for repairing old water pipes too is another alternate source.

[Kenk]

Thanks John!

[sqlbullet]

In my area finding cheap lead was the real challenge.  I think it is function of the low population density in the mountain west combined with a higher percentage of bullet casters.  Wheel weight was a no-go at any tire shop I checked.  They all had a guy already.  And junkyards didn't get much lead and wanted over $1/lb for what they had.  This was 15 years ago.  I lucked into a source at $0.15/lb that is far more than I can ever shoot which allowed my hobby (habit?) to grow.

If you can secure a lead source, then John A. hits the rest of the high points.  I cast my first bullets in a $20 Lee two cavity mold using a Coleman white gas stove, old cast iron skillet and grandpa's 4# lead ladle.  Basically all I bought was the mold, the rest was stuff I had around the garage.  I lubed with Lee Liquid Alox, which works great but is smokey and gums up reloading gear.

Since then I have upgraded to a Lee 10# bottom pour pot, and I have lots more bullet molds.  I do size bullets now, as it is needed for consistency in auto-loading firearms I have found.  I have both Lee push through sizers as well as an old Lachmiller Lube-o-matic (now owned by RCBS).  I also powder coat for some purposes, and I still tumble lube in some cases.  All processes have their pro's and con's.

It is addictive, so you have been warned.

[John A.]

Yeah, it is somewhat addictive.

I started loading just for 12 gauge slugs because at the time, they were impossible to find.

Then I started getting molds for my pistol calibers (which I shoot more than anything).  Now, I think I have molds for just about every pistol cal that I own.

I never got into gas checks and stuff for rifles.  And admit that I know nothing about that aspect.  My wife says that's probably good so I don't start buying more stuff.

[Kenk]

Thanks guy?s, my wife feels the same way about the ?buying new stuff? thing, but has been amazingly  tolerant over the years : )