Cast Bullets in 10 MM Auto

TXCOONDOG · April 28 2017 10:40:13 AM MDT

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!

sqlbullet · April 28 2017 01:10:23 PM MDT

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.

TXCOONDOG · April 29 2017 07:28:17 AM MDT

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

Benchrst · April 29 2017 10:35:08 AM MDT

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.

TXCOONDOG · April 29 2017 12:15:08 PM MDT

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 ${$default_grin_smiley}$

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.

Randominator · April 30 2017 09:07:35 AM MDT

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.

The_Shadow · April 30 2017 10:05:35 AM MDT

Randominator, very nice looking bullets, what gas checks are you using?

Benchrst · April 30 2017 01:02:59 PM MDT

Agreed, good looking bullet!

I picked up Accurate's 40-195G but haven't had the chance to shoot any of em' yet ${$default_sad_smiley}$

my_old_glock · May 02 2017 09:26:25 AM MDT

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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TXCOONDOG · May 02 2017 12:46:02 PM MDT

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.

Benchrst · May 02 2017 03:45:08 PM MDT

Never really looked at Arsenal, might have to pick up their 403-180 ${$default_smiley_smiley}$

http://arsenalmolds.com/bullet-molds?product_id=103

edit: Ordered it ${$default_smiley_smiley}$

TXCOONDOG · May 19 2017 05:53:21 PM MDT

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:

Randominator · May 21 2017 05:56:26 AM MDT

I use Gator Checks for every caliber I can buy them for.

TXCOONDOG · May 21 2017 08:21:45 AM MDT

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.

TXCOONDOG · May 28 2017 05:56:48 AM MDT

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 ?