Plain Base " 101 ".

Ben

Moderator
Staff member
It is no secret on this forum that I enjoy shooting plain based , reduced velocity, rifle loads.

Some have tried it with only limited success. I don't pretend to know all the answers on the subject, but I can share what I do know.

  • The base MUST be filled out well with a smooth sprue cut !
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  • The drive bands must be filled out well with you sorting through the bullets ( prior to lubing and sizing ) , making a close physical inspection. Be " ruthless " in your standards of inspection ! ! If you see a drive band that is not filled out well, drop that one into the remelt can. I don't weigh my cast bullets, but if you've got the time and want to go the " extra mile " in consistency then by all means do it.
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  • Even if you've done the above perfectly, you can ruin everything with excessive speed. I've found great accuracy in the 1050 fps - 1200 fps speed zone. Trying to push a plain base bullet to 1,500 , 1,600 , 1,700 fps and beyond, treating it like a g/c bullet, is a quick prescription for a " NO Joy " trip to the range.
When you find a plain base mould and find the diameter that your particular rifle likes, with the proper amount ( don't over - lube ) of bullet lube you'll be well on your way to success.

These will make for some fun afternoons at the range this fall.

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In .30 cal. rifle, you could do MUCH WORSE in your selection of a nice plain base bullet style than this one. The SAECO # 315 is an all time perennial favorite of mine. Here is the Accurate version made by Tom , 31- 175 BP , both cavities being plain base.

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Developing some super accurate loads, saving powder, not paying for gas checks, and going easy on your ears, your rifle and your shoulder all make good sense to me.

10 rounds @ 50 yards shot with my 30-30 Handi rifle .
( The aiming square in the next photo is 1.25 " X 1.25" )

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Here is the load .

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Good Shooting to all of you,

Ben
 
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JWFilips

Well-Known Member
Ben,
You got me "hooked" on plain base rifle shooting from early on! I like to shoot 50 rounds or more each range trip but because I have issues with my neck and shoulder Recoil is a problem for me;
to the point I dislike even shooting any factory rounds. Plain base shooting is the cats meow for me!
Jim
 

Ian

Notorious member
Ben, I vote you put a copy of your above post in the read-only "Articles" section so it doesn't get lost over time.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Ben, I vote you put a copy of your above post in the read-only "Articles" section so it doesn't get lost over time.
Let me see what I can do when I get home
 

popper

Well-Known Member
10-4 on the good bases. I push a little harder but found I have to really watch WHEN to cut the sprue. Early may smear or pull divets, late and the plate cocks and the base is not square. I cut the sprue with gloved hand, down pressure on the tang.
 

Kevin Stenberg

Well-Known Member
Are there any parts of your loading process that is different for your low vel. loads?
Are powder requirements different than high velocity? Are the faster pistol/shotgun powders used more often?
 

KHornet

Well-Known Member
Ben, I bought the baby version of that bullet in 22, and am just starting
to work it out in 223. Weighs 55gr. and with my melt, and 2 coats,
finished at about 57 gr. Is shooting well so far with 3 gr. Red Dot, and
SP primers.

Paul
 

Ben

Moderator
Staff member
Are there any parts of your loading process that is different for your low vel. loads?
Are powder requirements different than high velocity? Are the faster pistol/shotgun powders used more often?

With respect to my plain base loads, I use B'Eye, Unique, Herco, Blue - Dot, Amer. Select, International Clays in the 308 W., 30-06, and 30-30. In the 30-06, usually in the 7.0 grs. - 8.5 gr. zone with the quicker propellants. I never use any fillers.

My 2400 loads all use g/c s.

Here are 50 rounds that I loaded today for my ( new to me ) 1903 Springfield Sporter, 30-06 .

While these loads are safe in my rifles, You're mileage could vary with your own loads and your own rifle. You may want to drop 1 gr. or 1.5 grs. ( for safety reasons ) with this data . You can always " inch up " once you've found the data safe in your own rifle :

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Ben

Moderator
Staff member
Ben, I bought the baby version of that bullet in 22, and am just starting
to work it out in 223. Weighs 55gr. and with my melt, and 2 coats,
finished at about 57 gr. Is shooting well so far with 3 gr. Red Dot, and
SP primers.

Paul

Paul ,

I bought that . 22 cal mould, I used it in 3 different rifles.
No joy for me.

I sold it.

Ben
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Ben, I've found your criteria also apply to PB handgun loads. I've had people comment on my own "ruthless" culling before, but why spend all that time and money loading a cartridge with a lousy example of a bullet? I have enough problems keeping them in a reasonable group these days without adding lopsided, unbalanced bullets to the mix!
 

Ben

Moderator
Staff member
Agreed,
Yes, everything I said also applies to handgun bullets.
Why willfully load B, C, or D grade bullets ? ?
Makes no sense.
I'm not about quantity with my plain base rifle loads, I'm about accuracy.

Thanks,
Ben
 

Kevin Stenberg

Well-Known Member
concerning the pic. in post #10. I sure wish the throat in my Savage was as long as yours.
Yes I know. All it would take is having a Gunsmith lengthen the one's I have. But my cash is limited.
 

Ben

Moderator
Staff member
concerning the pic. in post #10. I sure wish the throat in my Savage was as long as yours.
Yes I know. All it would take is having a Gunsmith lengthen the one's I have. But my cash is limited.

Part of the ability to chamber rows 9 & 10 have to do with the two dia. bullet that I designed.

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Ben
 
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Brother_Love

Well-Known Member
Ben,
What? No pics of the new 1903! Love this thread, very informative. I am still looking for a 03 sporter myself.
Malcolm
 

Ian

Notorious member
Ben, I have a few extra top punches for the Lyman luber/sizers that KeithB gave me, if you want I can bore a blank cup in a couple of them and send along for you to modify with JB-Weld to fit your custom bullets a little better.