Cast bullets for .243 Win?

maillemaker · March 27, 2013, 10:06 AM

Can you shoot cast bullets for .243 Win? Do they need a gas check?

Steve

Idaho Spud · March 27, 2013, 06:47 PM

Of course the answer to your first question is "yes". Used to be molds available in the past. I don't load cast (or make 'em) in my 243, but would use a GC no matter the velocity were it me.

I know I'll catch heat for this but IMO satisfactory cast rifle shooting begins with the 30 calibers. That said, many shoot 7's, 270's, 6.5's, etc., quite happily. These are usually experienced individuals. Cast boolits in the smaller diameters can be a frustrating experience I've been told. Now I expect someone to come along and refute all I said, and that's fine. As I said this is my opinion.

dahermit · March 27, 2013, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Can you shoot cast bullets for .243 Win?

Yes, you can shoot cast lead bullets in a .243. But, most of the cast lead rifle bullet competitors use some kind of .30 caliber rifle for their cast lead bullet shooting.

Quote:

Do they need a gas check?

It depends upon what you want to achieve. If you want a very light gallery/plinking load, you do not need one. However, if you want a warmer load, at 1100 fps or faster, it would likely be a good idea to use one. Most if not all, cast lead bullet competitors shoot (.30 caliber bullets), about 1100 fps use gas checks.
You will want to look at the Cast Bullet Association's web site for the information you seek:
http://www.castbulletassoc.org/index.shtml
And the Cast Boolets web site:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forum.php

GP100man · March 28, 2013, 01:00 AM

Yes you can , but the limiting factor is the twist is so fast & the bearing surface so small on the 6mm/243 bullets .

If ya wanna push em any they gotta be hard 20bhn or better or they`ll skid from the get go .

I can make em harder but the alloys are so expensive you approch the cost of jacketed , so I use what I have & work my loads accordingly.

My barrel is 1 in 10 twist ,I use the Lyman 245498 sized 245 GCed from a 14bhn alloy ,I can get good accuracy with this bullet over 12.0gr. of 2400 & a CCI200 primer (no filler).& have`nt chronoed it yet.

If ya wanna get into the 6mm/243 cast business your gonna have to start looking at the custom mold makers as RCBS is the only maker of a 243 mold ,but my rifles don`t like it ,but some praise it.

For rifles ,if the base is for a GC I use 1 ,it keeps the leading down & the base of the bullets squarer. I feel the GC also helps the bullet bite the grooves thus helping leading & accuracy , just my HO

1 thing to watch on the long 100gr. bullets is ya can bend em during sizing if not careful.

reloader28 · March 28, 2013, 08:30 AM

My guns like the RCBS bullet and 15.5gr IMR 4198. Sub MOA.
My brother is shooting 15gr 2400.

Wallyl · March 28, 2013, 08:36 AM

I use the RCBS 95 SP-GC cast bullet with aluminum GCs and 11.0 grains of Unique in my Rem 700....gives you 1,800 FPS. I also use Lg Pistol primers. Very accurate. My criteria is consistent hits on a 3" plate at 250 yards...this load passes my test. I very pleasant load to shoot...at about 6¢ a round.

maillemaker · March 28, 2013, 08:58 AM

Thanks all for the information.

I've only cast/reladed .45 ACP to date. I've cast 9mm bullets but sold my 9mm gun before I got into reloading for it.

I bought some .243 Weatherby at a gun store a few weeks ago and it was over $1 a cartridge. I found it much cheaper at Walmart, surprisingly - they are usually completely out of ammo but had .243.

I'd like to do some 100 yard plinking with my Weatherby .243 but with cheaper ammo.

Steve

March 27, 2013, 10:06 AM	#1
maillemaker Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 1,635	Cast bullets for .243 Win? Can you shoot cast bullets for .243 Win? Do they need a gas check? Steve

March 27, 2013, 06:47 PM	#2
Idaho Spud Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2010 Posts: 330	Of course the answer to your first question is "yes". Used to be molds available in the past. I don't load cast (or make 'em) in my 243, but would use a GC no matter the velocity were it me. I know I'll catch heat for this but IMO satisfactory cast rifle shooting begins with the 30 calibers. That said, many shoot 7's, 270's, 6.5's, etc., quite happily. These are usually experienced individuals. Cast boolits in the smaller diameters can be a frustrating experience I've been told. Now I expect someone to come along and refute all I said, and that's fine. As I said this is my opinion. __________________ "I should have picked alcohol, drugs, or beating my wife..." Pete Rose Last edited by Idaho Spud; March 27, 2013 at 06:48 PM. Reason: punctuation

March 28, 2013, 01:00 AM	#4
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	Yes you can , but the limiting factor is the twist is so fast & the bearing surface so small on the 6mm/243 bullets . If ya wanna push em any they gotta be hard 20bhn or better or they`ll skid from the get go . I can make em harder but the alloys are so expensive you approch the cost of jacketed , so I use what I have & work my loads accordingly. My barrel is 1 in 10 twist ,I use the Lyman 245498 sized 245 GCed from a 14bhn alloy ,I can get good accuracy with this bullet over 12.0gr. of 2400 & a CCI200 primer (no filler).& have`nt chronoed it yet. If ya wanna get into the 6mm/243 cast business your gonna have to start looking at the custom mold makers as RCBS is the only maker of a 243 mold ,but my rifles don`t like it ,but some praise it. For rifles ,if the base is for a GC I use 1 ,it keeps the leading down & the base of the bullets squarer. I feel the GC also helps the bullet bite the grooves thus helping leading & accuracy , just my HO 1 thing to watch on the long 100gr. bullets is ya can bend em during sizing if not careful. __________________ GP100man

March 28, 2013, 08:36 AM	#6
Wallyl Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2011 Posts: 255	.243 Winchester with cast bullets I use the RCBS 95 SP-GC cast bullet with aluminum GCs and 11.0 grains of Unique in my Rem 700....gives you 1,800 FPS. I also use Lg Pistol primers. Very accurate. My criteria is consistent hits on a 3" plate at 250 yards...this load passes my test. I very pleasant load to shoot...at about 6¢ a round.

March 28, 2013, 08:30 AM	#5
reloader28 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2009 Location: nw wyoming Posts: 1,061	My guns like the RCBS bullet and 15.5gr IMR 4198. Sub MOA. My brother is shooting 15gr 2400.

March 28, 2013, 08:58 AM	#7
maillemaker Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 1,635	Thanks all for the information. I've only cast/reladed .45 ACP to date. I've cast 9mm bullets but sold my 9mm gun before I got into reloading for it. I bought some .243 Weatherby at a gun store a few weeks ago and it was over $1 a cartridge. I found it much cheaper at Walmart, surprisingly - they are usually completely out of ammo but had .243. I'd like to do some 100 yard plinking with my Weatherby .243 but with cheaper ammo. Steve