Cast bullets in .308

[Sim G]

Has there not been some "additive" to wheel weight metal at the behest of the EU that now makes them unsuitable for casting?

[dromia]

Wheel weights are now either zinc or iron, the days of using wheel weights as bullet alloy are long gone unless like me you have a stash from the good old days.

Wheel weights are usually too hard and need softening with some "pure lead", the last thing you want is hard boolits, hardness and or poor bullet fit is what gives leading.

Hardcast boolits was con by boolit makers, good for them as they are easier to cast and don't need fancy packaging bad for shooters as they are usually undersized and too hard for any useful shooting.

[Alpha1]

Iv got a stash of wheel weights. What do you suggest Adam Lyman no2 ?.

[dromia]

Far too hard.

You are looking for a bhn of 10-12, 1/2 and 1/2 wheel weights and soft lead would be a good starting point.

[Alpha1]

Okey dokey.
A couple of moulds I looked at they are on offer.

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This is a long term project. I am still getting the bits together and my certificate is in for variation. The rifle is still with my local gun dealer. Its a very expensive .308 target rifle its costing me £60.

[dromia]

I would hold off deciding on a mould 'till I'd taken an impact cast of the freebore and groove/bore dimensions.

[Alpha1]

You are probably right there is no hurry.

[ovenpaa]

The rifle is still with my local gun dealer. Its a very expensive .308 target rifle its costing me £60.

Spill the beans, what is it?

[Mike95]

Sounds as if the mould will cost more than the rifle! It would be best to slug the bore...as Dromia suggests, and if possible buy or blag a few cast bullets before buying the mould. The cast boolits website is a good one for advice on moulds. I have bought NOE moulds...very good service. They have a specialist mould for the 7.5 x55 Swiss which is excellent.
The 308 is very forgiving in my experience with cast but the Loverin types seem to shoot well in all 30 cals.

Mike95

[Alpha1]

The rifle is a heavy barrelled target rifle built on a Mauser G98 action fitted with target sights. It's been regulated by Fultons.The gun cost me £150. I'm going to sell the sights and stuff so I reckon after stripping and selling the bits the rifle should end up owing me about £60.
The idea is to shorten the barrel and recut the chamber as part of my learning curve if I screw it up it does not matter. If all goes well Ill drill and tap it for a scope rail fit a scope and shoot cast in it.
As I said it's a long term project some thing to keep me from getting bored on them dark cold nights.
Just getting the certificate sorted at the moment so everything is legal. I all ready have some moulds that might do for starters but it's early days yet.