"Bullseye" for cast bullets ? edit: Range Report

neil mitchell · Post by **neil mitchell** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:15 am

Has anyone tried this powder with plain base hard cast bullets in a 30-30?
I've tried Unique but not getting good accuracy.I'm using .309 cast bullets in my 336 microgroove barrel that slugged out to .308 diameter.

Neil

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:55 am

I have but I didn't get very good accuracy with it either. There may have been other reasons it didn't shoot well but it was good enough for plinking anyway.

Your .309" bullet may not be big enough. I have had better luck with .310" or .311" bullets. It is more important to fit the throat than the grooves.

Caco · Post by **Caco** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:38 pm

The plain flat base bullets work better for me than the beveled plain base.
The old Lyman data with unique was with gas check bullets and reasonably low velocity.
From my memory on some data I can't find????????around 1100 fps was the most acurate with unique and non gas check bullets-Can't remember if they were flat or beveled.
My experience was better with 5744 and sr4759 around 1400 with plain flat base and with gas checked bullets and 4759 up to 1800 or so. With winn 748 and 170 gr gc bullet got over 2000 with decent accuracy.
Play carefull and have fun

Dave

rimrock · Post by **rimrock** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:21 pm

p. 61 of the Lyman #44 manual lists #311141 (176 gr w/ GC) and 8 gr of Unique at 1160 fps, and max of 11 gr Unique at 1610 fps.

neil mitchell · Post by **neil mitchell** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:28 pm

Thanks for the help guys.
I loaded up some 165gr cast and 7.0gr of Bullseye and got @1300 fps. .Accuracy was better than I got with Unique. 7.5grs of bullseye gave around 1400fps but poor accuracy.I think I'll order some .310 dia cast and see how they perform.
On another note, NO misfires since I changed to Win LR primers.

Neil

Post by **Hobie** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:32 pm

I only use Bullseye for "cat sneeze" loads in rifle cases.

For CB loads I prefer Unique, IMR SR4759 or perhaps the "standard" powders for cartridge.

phlatnose · Post by **phlatnose** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:41 pm

I like 10grn pf unique behind a 180grn cast in my winchester. If you have any green dot , it may be worth trying some. For me its a little more accurate, but being a slow moving load you may run out of elevation adjustment for longer ranges.

w30wcf · Post by **w30wcf** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:20 am

Neil,

Regarding Unique, you did not mention the charge weight you tried, but I think you may find happiness in the 6.5 - 7.0 gr. range.

w30wcf

Borregos · Post by **Borregos** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:37 am

I get good accuracy in all my 30-30's including my T/C handguns with 9.5gr Unique and a 150 cast.

w30wcf · Post by **w30wcf** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:24 am

With a .32-20 cast bullet* (100-120 grs) 4.5-5.0 grs. of Bullseye will effectively replicate the "Short Range" factory loadings of long ago with good accuracy in my experience.

* reduce diameter from .313" to either .311" or .309" using a LEE push through sizing die unless your rifle will chamber .30-30 cartridges loaded with .313" bullets.

w30wcf

neil mitchell · Post by **neil mitchell** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 12:29 pm

John,I tried your load w/unique but still got poor groups (patterns actually). I found 7.0gr of Bullseye gives about 1in groups at 25yds. I think that is pretty good. The velocity is around 1290 (I think) I don't have info here at the house. The ES on this load was 6 with SD of 3.(Again I think). Anyway it is the very best ES and SD I have ever gotten.
I think I'll stick with the Bullseye for now.I ordered some .310dia cast from Penn Bullets and will see how they do.

Neil

w30wcf · Post by **w30wcf** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:09 am

Neil,
Sorry to hear that the Unique load did not work out for you. It could be that the velocity may not be high enough to completely stabilize the bullet you are using.

Glad that Bullseye is giving you good results.

w30wcf