I love shooting cast bullets so much, I'd like to try shooting cast in my 300 Win with standard rifle primers, and reduced (obviously) loads.

I've got a Ruger No. 1, and it fits like a glove, but the big magnum 200 gr loads tend to wear me out.

Anybody have any experience with this baby and lead?

Patrick

I have no personal experience with a case that large with cast, but I will tell you what you can do as I would if you were here with me. First, get a can of some real slow ball powder, like the 50 caliber machine gun stuff. H870 comes to mind, as well as the military version called WC872 or WC860. Use a standard primer with 50 grains of this slow stuff as a starter, topped off with that plastic shotgun buffer powder. Do not compress, but fill to base of boolit of 180 to 220 grains. Shoot 3 to see if recoil and accuracy are satisfactory. If you can take more punishment, add the machine gun powder in 5 grain increments until satisfaction is met. Always use the buffer. I could be that accuracy begins to fall off as the powder is incremented, but not likely. If so, then use 3 grains of 3031 or 4198 against the primer for a flame extender into the slow powder, and redo starting at 50 grains of the machine gun powder. Don't try shooting this slow powder without the filler because of possible multiple pressure spikes. If you have a chrono, seek 2200-2400 fps for your thrills, otherwise remain at 1800 or so. ... felix

THanks Felix!! That looks like a very interesting experiment, and I have a strong Ruger #1 to use, so I would feel a little safer.

It's an honor to have you respond to my post- specially from someone that is so very well respected and praised for great contributions to the cast shooting sport..

I've shot cast in 3 300 WM rifles. Ruger #1, Rem 40X, Savage Tactical.The 311299 sized .312, NRA Alox lubed and gas checked. First load is (I think) from Glenn Latham, I got it from the Fouling Shot years ago. 24/IMR4227 and Rem 2 1/2 primer. Second load is 17/Unique, Dacron (or TP if you choose)tamped down on powder, Rem 2 1/2 primer. Both shot about 1" for five shots at 100 yards, a little over 2" at 200 yards.

Felix, in my .300 Weatherby Magnum a case full of WC860 to the base of the bullet gives right at 3000 FPS {from a 24" barrel) with a Speer 200 grain jacketed. Might be a bit fast for cast.

I'm planning on experimenting with that 200 grain HBC with loads in the 60 grain neighborhood of 7383, but haven't gotten that round tuit I've been looking for.

Yeah, man, a case full would be way too much, even for that slow powder. Must drop it down to around 50-60 grains, topped off with plastic shotgun filler. ... felix

Another alternative that I use (in smaller capacity .30 cal cases) would be a lighter bullet with a paper patch as discussed by C.E. Harris in the NRA book CAST BULLETS. (.300 Win Mag pp.108-109.)

No experience on the .300 Win Mag but I have shot a bunch of .30-338 and it's not that much difference.

Reloader 7 allowed me to run 200 grainers at 2,000 FPS. Almost any of the medium burn cast powders work in it.

Really, it's pleasant to shoot at 2,000 FPS. Give it a try./beagle