This may sound like a topic for the cast bullet forum, but I'd like to see it discussed among the general big bore crowd, and hear from BB shooters who might have in depth knowledge and experience.

Since there really isn't a source for relatively inexpensive big bore jacketed bullets anymore (maybe there never ever really was?), I've been considering cast alternatives. Before a 10 year sentence to the oil field, I used to cast and shoot cast bullets, a lot, in single action revolvers and lever action rifles. The "rules", as I thought I knew them then, dictated that cast bullet velocities typical of heavy-medium to big bore dangerous game rifles (2000-2400) required very hard or hardened alloys, gas checks, a super smooth barrel and a large dose of black magic, in order to avoid excessive barrel leading. Even with moderate leading, switching back and forth between cast and jacketed often created accuracy problems. I've loaded a Miroku 1886 extra light 45-70 up to 2000 fps with RCBS 400 grain GC bullets, cast from Linotype, with just slight graying of the bore. However, I've read that performance beyond this without significant leading, is a crapshoot, at best.
In the last couple of years I've been following the development of baked-on powder coated cast bullets (and a couple other types of coating), and have read of phenomenal results with full power BB loads with absolutely ZERO lead fouling. This can supposedly be achieved with straight wheel weight alloy, and maybe gas checks. While these bullets are pretty soft, I hear they can be super accurate and deadly on non dangerous game. I don't have the deep pockets to allow me to shoot big bores, recreationally, with commercial jacketed bullets, and I'd bet the same problem keeps others out of the BB game.
I'd like to hear about folks' experiences with these type of bullets, both at the range and in the field. My particular interest lies with .366", .410-.411", .416", and .423" caliber bullets, but discussions of experience with any caliber is encouraged. Thanks!

For my 450/400 Nitro Express, I ordered bullets from Montana Bullet Works. 400 grain at about 1800 fps are great practice loads. Very accurate also. The folks at Montana Bullet Works told me the bullets I ordered were good to about 2000 fps.

quote:

Originally posted by impala#03:
For my 450/400 Nitro Express, I ordered bullets from Montana Bullet Works. 400 grain at about 1800 fps are great practice loads. Very accurate also. The folks at Montana Bullet Works told me the bullets I ordered were good to about 2000 fps.

Are these coated, or lubed? I'm looking for no leading at all whatsoever. Thanks!

A big bore has too much recoil to shoot regularly even using reduced loads and their barrel thickness is not made too withstand a lot of heat.If you shoot it too often you will get a concussion and the symptoms that go along with it.I find it best to practice with a lot of 22LR,some light 308 and once in a while 5 shots with a big bore.When shooting the big bore it might be best to use the actual rounds you will be using when hunting-but not the solids.I moly coat all my bullets unless I have a rifle that will not shoot moly accurately.

quote:

This may sound like a topic for the cast bullet forum, but I'd like to see it discussed among the general big bore crowd, and hear from BB shooters who might have in depth knowledge and experience.

Me too

MATT
i had the same issue as you...the big bore proj were way to expensive....so i got into casting for my 416 Ruger 375 Ruger and my 06

My load for the 416 Ruger is 30 gns of H4227/H 110 for a velocity of 1500 fps..very accurate load
my other load which im still developing is 65 gns of varget for a vel of 2150 also very accurate
initially i used verals lube which was good, but at higher vel i got leading, probably because the bullets were not hard enough
then i changed over to powder coating, which was streets ahead of lubing, ...the only problem i encountered was that the coating some times was applied thick( which you have no control over) and when it came to sizing it caused me difficulties....but still powder coated bullets held up really well with no leading at vel of 2150 with a bullet hardness of BNH 15
Then i tried HI TEK coating...this coating is the best of the best again i coated some 400 gn 416 cast bullets BNH of ~15 and proceeded to fire of about 10 or so bullets with my load of of 65 gns of varget vel of 2150 and no leading ...no lube stood up to this vel of 2150 with a soft bullet of a BNH of 15

In fact i got mike from Montana bullets to try some of the hi tek coating...to say he was impressed would be an understatement....he was blown away by the results....i think he loaded up his son s 38 super and fired a 15 shot clip of bullets at full vel as fast as he could and there was no leading

so if your going to start casting for the big bores its well worth it and shooting those big bores with heavy bullets at 1500 fps is like throwing bricks around the back yard
i have just got tom from accurate molds to cut me a 3 cavity mold , a three in one... a 400gn 416 300 gn 375 and 200 gn 30 cal specifically for coating them....no lube grooves
if i get a chance i might post some pics

Also with the 400 gn 416 bullets @ 1500 fps i can put 50-100 shots in one sitting...no concussion no nothing !!!!!!!!!

Daniel

I tried this road a few years ago and I learnt that it is not the right way.

[URL= ]moly galore[/URL]

I cast and powder coat 416, 458 bullets for practice shooting. No leading but I don't push them past 2100 FPS. Works great for punching paper and steel, could be used as hunting bullets for most game.

Shootaway....so what is the problem with those bullets...seems an awful waste

When i take my 416 out bush , with 400 gn cast bullets i limit my range to 100 yards ...the rifle groups at 1.25 moa consistently....some times better...and not much gets away

RECOIL

Run the bullets at 1500 fps and its like a pussy cat!!

I did not have any leading with the load I was shooting. I do not know the hardness of the bullets, but the folks at Montana Bullets have all the information you need.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
RECOIL

Are those .458s?
You selling them?

Cal Pappas is currently testing powder coated bullets of the big bore (and very big bore) variety as we speak. Drop him a line and get an update.

quote:

Originally posted by Huvius:

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
RECOIL

Are those .458s?
You selling them?

Looks like maybe Rem 400 grain 458's. They were pretty inexpensive back in the day, but are hard to find now days. Don't know if Remington even offers them as a component anymore.

I shoot Montana bullets in my .416 Rem as well as my .45-70. I see no reason to go past 1800 fps.

In our 585 He we shoot cast, cast with alloy to make them hard and

quenched, nice and hard, and as long as under 1600

and over 2500 never leads,

SHOOT 650GR HARD CAST, QUENCHED, at 3000 no leading.

If heatreated, which I have tested won't lead at

any speed, lead is hard as copper heatreated right.Ed

I bought a bunch of these, cant push them fast enough to lead a barrel
http://www.mattsbullets.com/in...h=84&products_id=319

Both Rimrock, and Beartooth bullets make .416", 350-grain to 370-grain bullets at a Brinell Hardness of 22. They are gas checked, good to 2,400 fps without leading, and inexpensive. I have had a lot of luck with them. I believe they make .458" diameter bullets, as well.

Too bad we can't get IMR 4759 any more.

The lead bullet makers have really awoken to the needs of big bore shooters. Huntington's even have dies for making bullets for the .470 NE, and .510" diameter and .505" diameter, as well.

I use 5744, Trail Boss. Haven't tried 4227 yet.

My experience is the same as EDs. I cast with Linotype alloy and cold water quench. You still need to wait a day or so to obtain maximum hardness. No sizing needed as molds throw a bullet 0.001 over bore size. Even.600gr solids at 2500 fps don't lead the barrel. I usually use SPG lube and no gas checks.

Thanks for all the info and comments, fella's!