Smallest calibre for big game using cast

[foxtrapper]

I have always used hardcast bullets for my leverguns and revolvers to hunt with. All are . 429 or larger up to 50AK. Well I have a Ruger Bisley that started as a 357mag, but was converted to 356GNR. Same caibre, .357, but with a lot more zip! Man those 158 gr bullets are small , and with no expansion, small hole in small hole out. So I was thinking am I best served with a jacketed bullet like a XTP? What would be the smallest dia bullet you would use for medium sized big game using hard cast? Thanks

[Idiot]

22LR.

[Buck Elliott]

Well, I'm not an Idiot, so I'll say .25-20 or maybe -- just maybe -- a .25-35.

Don't have much experience with the little .25-20, but its .32-20 brother does a thorough job, within its limitations.

[kooz]

You should be fine shooting deer with a cast .357 bullet, you should also be getting expansion with them as long as they are of the proper alloy. Try a softer alloy gas checked bullet, maybe around 10 BHN.

[Rusty]

Most .30-30's will give fine performance with cast bullets. That's the smallest thing I have any experience with.

I do have a .22 mould for my .223 but I've yet to use it. One of these days though, one of these days.

[TedH]

Most .30-30's will give fine performance with cast bullets. That's the smallest thing I have any experience with.

I do have a .22 mould for my .223 but I've yet to use it. One of these days though, one of these days.

Rusty, what mold do you have in 22 cal? I've been thinking of trying some cast for my 218, but man those bullets are tiny. Not sure if I want to mess with gas checks and all that with such small bullets. Would be a hoot to duplicate a 22 mag load though. Not to mention how hard it is to get the Bee bullets sometimes. Would be nice to know I wouldn't ever run out of bullets.

[86er]

I've recently heard of some good results a friend is having with a 30-30 shooting a 200grain hardcast bullet at 1550 fps out to 100 yards. He created the load for very low recoil for a young kid to shoot. He reports several dead deer as testimony to its effectiveness.

[Rusty]

The one I have is from Lee I ordered it from Mid South. It's called a .22 BATOR. There was quite a bit of talk and a few articles on the bullet over at castboolits. They claim a .223 can be loaded down to .22mag power levels.

[Tycer]

A .358" diameter bullet with a large meplat at 16-1800 fps will leave a 3/4" hole. Clean. Like a pipe was run through.

There is a cone of liquid animule spraying off the front of that bullet as it passes through bone and tissue, much like the water jets used to cut stone and steel. Only rounder.

I've seen a super clean 3/4" hole in a shoulder blade from a 21 BHN bullet coming from the far quarter. Couldn't have drilled it cleaner with a forstner bit.

[Tycer]

The one I have is from Lee I ordered it from Mid South. It's called a .22 BATOR. There was quite a bit of talk and a few articles on the bullet over at castboolits. They claim a .223 can be loaded down to .22mag power levels.

From a sophmoric view, only a Master can cast those.

[Tycer]

How do I delete a post?

[Bullard4075]

Foxtrapper can you tell us more about your 356GNR. Are you happy with the conversion , what kind of velocity do you get with a 158 grain bullet and
anything else you would tell someone (me) interested in the conversion.
Bullard
I have glanced at the GNR website.

[2X22]

I've taken deer with my 25-35 and a 110gr RCBS cast bullet. Fairly high velocities, around 1900fps. After seeing how it performs, I'd have no qualms using it regularly on deer sized game.

2x22

[foxtrapper]

Bullard4075 I have just started working up loads for the 356GNR. So far no cast, but I used Sierra 125JSP with 24grs of W-296 for a manual posted 2010fps. Accurate as all get out ! Pretty much one hole at 25 yrds. I have some 180gr LBT bullets from Rim Rock bullets about to be ordered and hope they shoot well, as they will be my deer hunting loads. The cases are easy to make ,just lube up 41 mag's and run them through the sizing die. No fire forming needed A buddy sent me some Lee 158wc GC bullets before I order the molds to give em a try. . I'm glad I did the conversion

[Rusty]

You might be right Tycer, but I figured it's worth a try. Even a little bitty pill commin out with no GC at a velocity able to just crack a little noggin on something would be a novelty.

Part of the reason for trying is because somebody says it can't be done.

Who would have ever thought you could cast a bullet from hot glue? Some body did it though.