Hey Guys,

Has anyone used hard cast bullets in a big bore for hunting? I am thinking of using hard cast in a .405 I'm having made. Unfortunately, I don't know any of the pit falls?

I would appreciate any info.

Thanks a bunch,

Smoker

Hard cast - if too soft they moosh and do not penetrate, if too hard, they shatter. But on elk and moose they should be fine if kept at reasonable velocities. Personally I like to keep all my cast bullets under 1500 fps.

Hey 500grains,

Sorry to hear that!!! I was hoping for 2,300 fps. with a 400 gr. hard cast. According to what you're saying, that will not happen if I want the bullet to stay together.

Thanks for the info.

Smoker*

Sorry,double post.

Jim

[ 10-08-2003, 02:03: Message edited by: mbogo375 ]

Smoker,

QUOTE: "I was hoping for 2,300 fps. with a 400 gr. hard cast. According to what you're saying, that will not happen if I want the bullet to stay together."

It's probably not going to happen if you want the rifle to stay together either .To get even 2200 fps out of a 405 with 400 grain bullets you are probably going to be in the 60,000 PSI range (definitely on the hot side). At 2300 fps you likely will be over 70,000 PSI. These "guesses" are based on Quick Load calculations, but I believe they are close enough to serve as a warning to not expect this type of velocity with 400 grain bullets in a 405 Win at reasonable pressures.

You can get to 2300 fps for a 400 grain bullet in a 450/400 3" or 3.25" Nitro Express with their much larger case capacity, but you will still be above factory pressure and velocity (it would be OK in a strong action like a Ruger #1, but not in a double or vintage rifle ).

Jim

Hey Jim,

Thanks for the heads-up. I am having the rifle made on a P14 action. I wanted to use this action because of its strength and size. I wanted the chamber to be long throated so that it would accommodate large bullets. Also, I believed that I could improve on the Win. 95's 2,300 fps with a 300 gr. bullet.

My gunsmiths long throated a 35 Whelen that they built on a VZ24 action and I can get 2,500+ fps with a 280 gr. Swift. The barrel is a 27" Shilen and there are absolutely no pressure signs. I was hoping for the same response from the P14/.405.

Actually, I thought that I should be able to get 2,300 fps out of a 350 or 400 gr. bullet. Since I can't get that velocity out of a 400 gr. I will turn to the 350 gr. If I can't get that out of a 350 then I'll go to a 325.

I really want to see what this old cartridge has to offer when used in a strong action and modern powders. And I'm trying to accomplish that with the least amount of pressure. My thoughts have turned to cast bullets because it is my understanding that cast bullets do not offer as much resistance as jacketed bullets and therefore, will produce less pressure.

Even if I can't improve on the ballistics, I will have a lot of fun trying!

Thanks again, Jim,

Smoker*

Gents,
mssmagnum is currently waiting for a OTT barrel for an encore chambered in 405. He has a new Mountain Molds design in hand that drops a 310gr boolit that should be a real handful in the Encore as a handgun. I am sure you could get a response out of him over on Cast Boolits. 45nut

In that Enfield, you should simply chamber to the new 400 H&H, thats exactly what it does and you won't have near the feeding problems that a 405 will give you with that rim case that doesn't like a bolt action....400 gr. bullets, cast or jacketed are abundantly available for the 400 H&H........otherwise I'd use a Ruger No.1 for the .405...........

Hey Atkinson,

The chamber has already been cut and I have purchased about 2,000 empty cases for the .405.

The reason I chose the .405 Win as the cartridge for this rifle was because I wanted to see what I could get out of that old cartridge. Since the P14 was made for the .303 cartridge I was hoping that using the .405 cartridge wouldn't present any problems.

What is the .400 H&H? Is it the .375 necked up to .400? I believe that that cartridge would be far more powerful than anything I would ever have use for. I was looking for a round that would be perfect for 200 yard, Kodiak bear shots. Nothing more - nothing less. I don't even know if I'll ever have the money to hunt Kodiak but, if I do, I will have the rifle for the job.

Thanks for the info.

Smoker*

Hey 500grains,

Sorry, after reading your post I realized what I had written and counted my brass. I have 500 cases. Most of which I purchased when they first came out. They are a mixture of Hornady and Bertram. There were sales on both brands of brass.

Sorry about that, I sometimes let my fingers type what my mind hasn't thought about.

I will let you know what kind of velocities I get. I believe that the .406 should be able to do quite well with 360 gr. North Fork bullets. At least I am hoping it will.

Good shooting,

Smoker*

I have not worked with max loads yet as the pistol is kinda tough on the wrist. The Hornady 300 grainer at 2100 fps hurts. This load still had plenty of room to work with and i am hoping to be able to improve on that velocity in an Encore.



I have not worked with any of the 400 grain bullets, i recently had a 305 grain bullet mold made and will be givin it a go after this years deer season. I am expecting to get 2300+ fps out of them assuming that i can handle the recoil.