7mm cast shooting

[Josh]

Could I get the collective input on a good mould in the 150-180 gr range for the 7x57? I just picked up a nice 1916 spanish mauser with a strong bright bore, it measures .280x.287. I have a feeling the bore ride designs won't do as well as a standard design or loverin.

I know this is a small ring mauser and my plan is to try some 175 gr jacketed at 2300 fps and hopefully some heavier cast at about 1750 to 1800.

 

[Ben]

I've been having a ball shooting the Lee SoupCan 7 mm, 132 gr. G/C bullet in my two 7 X 57 mm rifles. I realize the 132 gr. is 18 grains out of the weight range you said you'd like, but it is a fine cast bullet for the 7 X 57 mm ( and other .284" rifles ). It is a cousin to the Loverin's in design and offers a lot of contact with the bore with very little nose that is not in contact.

You could try the mould for $18 here :

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...Soup-Can-130-Grain-Double-Special-Order-Mold-

During the past few days I've shot some pretty good groups with my stainless Ruger, Mark II, 7 X 57 mm, 20" barrel rifle using this particular bullet.

I decided to take my 6 cav. set of blocks and run about 400 of the bullets a few days ago.

A great shooting 7 mm bullet.

Ben

Here is my Ruger , 7 X 57 mm with an older model Leupold, 3 X 9 X 50 mm Vari - X II. Some fine optics ! !

 

[Josh]

What does that Lee cast out at? I need to get a minimum of .287 and while I would like a heavy bullet to hunt with a nice lead saver would be just as nice IMO.

Ben I was hoping you would post in here.

 

[Ben]

Seems like mine run about .287".

If yours you buy run .286 or so, the Lee Alum moulds are soft and you can spin a bullet with some fine Clover's valve grinding compound and open it up .001 or .002 pretty quickly.


Here is my abrasive compound :

Here is the coated bullet after it has been spun in the mold cavities :

I used my cordless drill on slow speed :

 

[Josh]

Seems like mine run about .287".

If yours you buy run .286 or so, the Lee Alum moulds are soft and you can spin a bullet with some fine Clover's valve grinding compound and open it up .001 or .002 pretty quickly.

Have you found any issues casting for the 7mm caliber? I have cast for the 22 cal and it involves much more work than say a 30 cal. Or is it much more like casting for a 30 cal? I know I sell a lot of 7mm checks, and judging by your pictures I can see why!

 

[Ben]

If deer is your game, the 132 placed right will put meat in the pot.

The 7 mm is a breeze to cast for. No more complicated with .30 cal.

Ben

 

[Josh]

Here is the 7x57:

 

[KHornet]

Clean looking 7x57. Can't argue with Ben on the soup can. I also have the 287641 GC, that runs about 160 gr. and is a good shooter in my 77 Ruger.

 

[Josh]

Clean looking 7x57. Can't argue with Ben on the soup can. I also have the 287641 GC, that runs about 160 gr. and is a good shooter in my 77 Ruger.

What does that cast out at?

 

[Ben]

A very clean looking 7 X 57 ! !

Ben

 

[Ian]

Soup Can might be needed to fill the throat. I'd start there. Modern 7mms need a more "bore riding" design to keep the check in the neck.

 

[Josh]

Soup Can might be needed to fill the throat. I'd start there. Modern 7mms need a more "bore riding" design to keep the check in the neck.

I figured I would need a loverin-ish bullet, I wasn't sure the soup can would be long enough for the throat.

 

[KHornet]

Casts about 287 with most of my runs.

 

[Ian]

I figured I would need a loverin-ish bullet, I wasn't sure the soup can would be long enough for the throat.

A "pound cast" of your chamber and throat would remove the mystery.

 

[S Mac]

I know a "pound cast" can be informative Ian, could you please expound on the way to read it?

 

[Josh]

I know a "pound cast" can be informative Ian, could you please expound on the way to read it?

Here is 4 pics of one I made for my 416 Rigby, basically you pound pure lead with a rod and hammer until it takes shape like such, then measure it for a guaranteed accurate measurement of the throat.

 

[Ian]

I read mine with a micrometer, plot it out on paper, and compare to bullet drawings. There's a a detailed explanation of what I tend to look for in a bullet in several the "basement articles" found in the reference section here, it may not be the best but it's the best my experience can offer at this point.

 

[Dick West]

Ian: I just read your Basement article on pound casting. Very well done.
I'm going to do my wife's 7x57 Spanish sporter as soon as I get chance. I've got to see if i have any pure lead around here.
Tnx

 

[Dick West]

Seems like mine run about .287".

Word to the wise in polishing molds to a large diamerter: Be careful you don't polish out the gas-check groove on the mold or your gaschecks won't fit when you're done.