Tom comes through once again.

[USSR]

Wanted a new mould for target shooting with my 1968 Winchester Model 70 .30-06 Target Rifle. Didn't see anything on Tom's website that really called out to me, mostly because most of the moulds were for a gas check bullet. I'm of a mind that if I have to go to the trouble and expense of gas checks, I'll just buy jacketed bullets. So, I talked to Tom about changing one of his designs from a gas check into a plain base and increasing the meplat slightly. When I had it all figured out in my head I placed the order and it arrived about a week later, which is what I have come to expect from Tom. No surprises, same quality and attention to detail. Casts beautifully with the bullets dropping at about 184gr when cast from Lyman #2. They are coming out of the mould at .312" and I am sizing them to .311". Too cold up here in the frozen tundra for any serious load development, so that will have to wait until Spring.

Don

 

[Ian]

That nose shape looks very familiar, I predict much success with your new design.

 

[USSR]

Thanks for the encouragement, Ian.

Don

 

[Glaciers]

That looks like a nice casting. I'm going to follow this one. Don Keep us updated on how it works for you when things thaw out.
Powder coated or regular lube?

 

[USSR]

BAC lube run thru a Lyman 450 - Dated, just like Don.

Don

 

[fiver]

it'll shoot just fine.
seat it out to make scuff marks in the leade on that front band.

 

[USSR]

Yeah, I thought I would seat the bullet out long into an empty case without much neck tension, and see how deep the bullet ends up when I withdraw the case.

Don

 

[Ian]

BAC lube run thru a Lyman 450 - Dated, just like Don.

Don

Still works just fine, too, just like Don!

 

[CZ93X62]

Most of Tom's mould designs for the 348 Winchester show a gas check shank, and he and I had a discussion about Sage's checks and fit on his shanks, which are meant for the now-out-of-print Hornady checks @ .320" spec. H&I die purchase as well as mould design await Tale Of The Tape on the rifle, which will start about 13 minutes after it comes home on 12/15.

In the meantime, I have heard rumors of 2 Lyman moulds meant for the 348 WCF in an out-of-state location and available for sale. Both are GC designs, and snagging one or both would negate the need for an Accurate Mold with GC shank. Same seller has at least 1K+ of Hornady 348 checks, too. I will see if Tom can delete a gas check shank and create a nice fat plain base band a la my Lyman #366408's base.

 

[Spindrift]

That looks like a great design! Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[Ben]

You will like that one ! !

Ben

 

[Cadillac Jeff]

That doe's look like it would work very well in a ol P17 around here

didn't I say I was done buyin molds.....

thank's Don

Jeff

 

[USSR]

Just seated a bullet long with a little lube in the case neck, and chambered it in my target rifle. The cartridge came out with an OAL of 3.170" and the case mouth just north of the crimp groove. No marks on the bullet, although it was cast with Lyman #2 alloy, so I am thinking that the taper portion of the bullet is making contact with the throat, which is what I was hoping. Should work well in the military bolt guns, Jeff.

Don

 

[Ian]

Don't be afraid to let the bullet have .015-.020" of run at the throat. The purpose of a self-aligning bullet is to align as it is being fired, not just when chambered.

 

[USSR]

Good point, Ian. Thanks.

Don

 

[fiver]

in a 30-06 the nose should be touching metal about half way up from the crimp groove anyway.
that should hold the taper back at the front drive band out just a bit on it's own.
your more than likely gonna have to roll crimp and work the bolt pretty lively if you want to go up in there any further.

 

[USSR]

My intention is to use only enough of a roll crimp to remove the flare. There is plenty of neck tension to keep the bullet in place.

Don

 

[Outpost75]

I did something similar having Tom cut a bevel-base with 7-1/2 degree short boattail, instead of the GC heel, based upon 31-215B to use in my 7.62x54R Tikka M39 and No.4 Mk1* Long Branch
.
I don't have a drawing of the bevel-base, but here is the original GC version and pics of what the plainbased, boattail bullets look like.

 

[USSR]

Ed,

Yeah, it's great having someone like Tom who is willing to alter existing bullet designs or even develop completely new designs based on your whims. Right now, I am working with Larry Gibson on fire forming my brass to my rifle's chamber and enlarging the flash holes for use with my low pressure loads to be used in this, which now wears a 16X Unertl:

Don

 

[fiver]

who?