Anyone use cast bullets in .348 Win. Browning 71?

[WoodrowC]

Is anyone shooting cast bullets in .348 Win? If so, are you casting your own or are there any available commercially. I use the 200 gr. Hornady jacketed bullet for hunting which works well , but I'd like to try something different.

Gerry

[big bear]

This was discussed extensively on old forum, you may be able to find the discussion. Most cast bullet designs won't work in Browning 71, the throat is too short. I shoot cast bullets in my original 71 but have not found a design that will chamber in my Browning unless you seat bullet deeper than cannelure.I have heard of molds made up to solve this problem Others have suggested reaming the Browning chamber so cast bullets would work. I just got a beat up 71 to shoot cast bullets with and use the Hornadys in my Browning.

[Yodar]

Hello Levergunner,

Yes, there are several cast lead bullets available commercially. If you like 200 grain bullets, contact RCBS and ask about RCBS bullet #516 (348-200gr. FN). I have used this bullet in my Model 71 but I was not impressed with the groups I got. I used 31 grains of IMR-3031 for an average muzzle velocity of 1650 fps.

A bullet that has worked well in my rifle is the Lyman #350482. It is a 250 grain, round nose, gas-check slug. It is available from a small custom bullet caster named Vern Anderson doing business as Glenhills Cast Bullets, P.O. Box 346, Glenwood City, WI 54013. His e-mail address is gutshot_again@yahoo.com. It shoots well in my rifle behind 24 1/2 grains of IMR-4198; 50 yard 5 shot group of 1 1/4 inch, muzzle velocity of 1558 fps.

Beartooth Bullets bullets makes a nice 250 grain, flat nosed, gas-check bullet. You can check them out at http://www.beartoothbullets.com.

Mt. Baldy Bullets, P.O. Box 835, Cody,WY 82414, phone: (307) 754-5296 also makes a nice 250 grain flat nosed, gas-check bullet. I have used it with 33 grains of IMR-4895 for a muzzle velocity of 1461 fps producing a 7/8th inch group.

The Lyman #350482 is my favorite. It is the most consistant in my rifle if I don't try to push them much over 1600 fps. I have read (see Ken Waters' articles on handloading for the .348) that Model 71s are a little touchy about what it will shoot well, particularly if you try to push cast lead slugs much past 1600 fps.

Good luck and keep us posted on your results. Also, tell us about Canadian gun laws.

We can talk about jacketed bullets another time.

My cat just walked across my keyboard.

[Naphtali]

I use hard cast 215-grain Hoch FNGC bullets, diameter .349 inch, without crimp groove, with 40.0 grains IMR 3031, CCI 200 primer, in a Winchester case. Case length is 2.245 inches; overall length is 2.735 inches. Chronographed velocity 1860-1890 fps. Rifle is Browning M71 carbine with 20-inch barrel.

Shooting with Williams peep sight, I can shoot two-inch groups at 50 yards from the bench. At one hundred I have trouble seeing the target. My group opens to about five inches -- and I believe this is too far for me to shoot from any field position. For this reason, I think I'm going to sell the Browning in favor of a bigger, shorter ranged boomer. A friend's taking delivery of a Doug Turnbull 475 Turnbull in a few weeks. We'll see.

Hope this helps.

[WoodrowC]

Great responses all...............I appreciate the help, and the contact information.
Thank you kindly, Gerry

[Yodar]

Big Bear and Levergunner,

You can solve the short throat problem by having Clymer Manufacturing make you a throating reamer for the .348 and have your gunsmith lenghten the throat on your Browning just enough to chamber your pet handload. This isn't a do-it-yourself project unless you really know what you are doing. Clymer can be reached at (248) 853-5555. The address is 1605 West Hamlin Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48309-3312. It may cost you the better part of $100.00 but it will be worth it.

[1886]

Hello Levergunner,

Yes, there are several cast lead bullets available commercially. If you like 200 grain bullets, contact RCBS and ask about RCBS bullet #516 (348-200gr. FN). I have used this bullet in my Model 71 but I was not impressed with the groups I got. I used 31 grains of IMR-3031 for an average muzzle velocity of 1650 fps.

A bullet that has worked well in my rifle is the Lyman #350482. It is a 250 grain, round nose, gas-check slug. It is available from a small custom bullet caster named Vern Anderson doing business as Glenhills Cast Bullets, P.O. Box 346, Glenwood City, WI 54013. His e-mail address is gutshot_again@yahoo.com. It shoots well in my rifle behind 24 1/2 grains of IMR-4198; 50 yard 5 shot group of 1 1/4 inch, muzzle velocity of 1558 fps.

Beartooth Bullets bullets makes a nice 250 grain, flat nosed, gas-check bullet. You can check them out at http://www.beartoothbullets.com.

Mt. Baldy Bullets, P.O. Box 835, Cody,WY 82414, phone: (307) 754-5296 also makes a nice 250 grain flat nosed, gas-check bullet. I have used it with 33 grains of IMR-4895 for a muzzle velocity of 1461 fps producing a 7/8th inch group.

The Lyman #350482 is my favorite. It is the most consistant in my rifle if I don't try to push them much over 1600 fps. I have read (see Ken Waters' articles on handloading for the .348) that Model 71s are a little touchy about what it will shoot well, particularly if you try to push cast lead slugs much past 1600 fps.

Good luck and keep us posted on your results. Also, tell us about Canadian gun laws.

We can talk about jacketed bullets another time.

My cat just walked across my keyboard.

Yodar wrapped it up nicely. I shoot the Mt. Baldy version. 1886.