Cast bullets & African game?

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Has anyone here used cast bullets in Africa to take game, either to "down load" a larger cartridge or as a primary round? I've been playing with cast bullets for over 30+ years now, but have never used them hunting (yet). I have a load for my .30-06 that seems promising.....was wondering about using it to take smaller antelope (duiker, steenbok) as well as possibly jackal, instead of using a 180 grain premium bullet.
Seeing as to everyone seems to point to "premium" bullets nowadays, I was wondering if these cast bullets could be used for larger species, or if it is a lesson in folly.
Thanks...........................

 

[Grumulkin]

You would have no problem taking the smaller antelope and Jackal with cast bullets out of a 30/06.

I rarely use cast bullets but I share your opinion that the current attraction for "premium" bullets is pretty silly.

Funny thing, you can hardly buy anything but premium bottled water. It seems that everything is premiun and/or "award winning."

 

[Velo Dog]

You would have no problem taking the smaller antelope and Jackal with cast bullets out of a 30/06.

I rarely use cast bullets but I share your opinion that the current attraction for "premium" bullets is pretty silly.

Funny thing, you can hardly buy anything but premium bottled water. It seems that everything is premiun and/or "award winning."

Don't forget "low carb" these days.
In fact, now that I'm thinking about it, I'm pretty sure that all Heym double rifles are "gluten free" as of late.

 

[Velo Dog]

One of my more industrious friends has bought a very sturdy looking Spanish 10 gauge 3.5" magnum double barreled shotgun, with the intent to convert it to a rifle, after he retires (soon).
One of the cartridges he is strongly considering is the .577 BPE.
If he settles on that cartridge, certainly a cast bullet will be proper for it, as that is exactly the type projectile this cartridge had made its excellent reputation with, back in "Pre-Nitro/Smokeless Powder Africa".
He's hunted Africa twice now with single shot and drilling, so I would not be even slightly surprised if he brought such a thing over there one day.
But of course, a lead bullet in .577 caliber is suitable for some larger animals and therefore is a whole different bird than a lead bullet in .308 caliber for small game.
I am a minimalist and so am uncomfortable bringing more than one bullet weight/powder charge per rifle wherever I go.
The most diversified I ever get on hunting trips is to bring a hand full of solids in the same weight that hit to the same point of impact as my softs, for whatever rifle I brought.
Bringing some different bullet weights, loaded to various different velocities would be the perfect way for me to miss the shot of a lifetime on something, like a huge caracal standing broadside at 75 paces, or some such - just my luck however self made it would be.
I have to keep things simple or I am ruined with tedium.

 

[nztimb]

I loaded my 404 with a HT 90-10 alloy (ww-lino) at 370gn and drove it to 2416fps with 87gn ADI 2209 / H4350 and would have no hesitation in stepping up to the plate on most mid to medium PG with it. I took a few goats with the same bullet in 50-50 (ww-Pb) at 1400fps over 21.5gn Red Dot and a spectacular deer load with 63gn H4350 for 1900fps
My 7x57 has a steady diet of a softnosed (lino shank with 50-50 nose) bullet at 2400fps over 39 gn ADI 2209 / H4350 that will take any deer or similar sized animal out to a good 200 yds. I have taken goats to there (and with the aperture sight)
The softnosed 7x57 cast bullet



This was 100yd groups when I was sighting in the QD scope


404 cast bullet at 2416fps at 50 yds with iron sights



And the same cast bullet with different alloy at 1900fps

 

[nztimb]

I have a couple of 303's with one being a Martini Enfield carbine and the other a Lee Speed and they both shoot cast with either a 174gn, a 190gn or a 215 gn cast bullet. I have still to finalise the loads but 2300fps with the two lighter bullets is the aim.
I am working on another Lee speed at the moment that is going to be a 400 Enfield and will have a 320gn cast bullet to about 2200fps and with this and the 190gn 303 bullet being cast in a copper and tin enhanced alloy that "toughens" the bullet without making it brittle then anything a conventional cup and core bullet would be used for would be easily within the realms of either of these rifles and I would have no hesitation in hunting with them within their range capabilities restricted only by the natural limitations of iron sight and bullet velocity but within 150 - 200 yds they would do all that was necessary.

 

[Billcollector]

That looks pretty damn premium to me!

 

[CAustin]

Go for it sir! You will never know until you try.,

 

[drew416]

Why not indeed?
This is what I call getting back to basics hunting and I love it!

When money permits I intend on retuning to Africa and chase the smaller antilope species-Duiker,Klipspringer, Steenbok ect.

I will take my Marlin 1894CL in.32/20. I'll put a fixed 4x Leupold scope on top. I don't have it but a very good friend of mine has an original WRA .32/20 110gn mould from the early 1900's. He won't lend it but casts beautiful bullets for me using my raw materials. Cast to about 9-9.3 Brinell hardness they drop out at 110-110.3 gn. Push them along with 6gn of ADI Ap100 they are doing 1200fps and hold a 1 inch group on the bench at 50m with the open sights.

I have used this rifle and load on wild Dog's here in Australia with devistating results, I would love to take a small fella in Africa with it. It is a quite shot with and with the lever action you have a very fast follow up if you need it, and can put 7 in the mag.

As for taking DG with cast, well why not. That was how it was done in the early days, albiet with large calibres and charges of black powder.
Most people would be surprised what a "hard cast" lead bullet can do driven at the correct velosity.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Don't forget "low carb" these days.
In fact, now that I'm thinking about it, I'm pretty sure that all Heym double rifles are "gluten free" as of late.

@Velo Dog
Don't forget fat free. Some rifles are now that light you may as well be carrying a bag of cotton wool.
One thing that hasn't changed in the last 30 odd years is this hunter is far from fat free at close on 260 pound. None of that low carb, gluten free, low fat shit for this black duck.
Full flavour and full strength for me or nothing.

 

[Roberto Mervicini]

Has anyone here used cast bullets in Africa to take game, either to "down load" a larger cartridge or as a primary round? I've been playing with cast bullets for over 30+ years now, but have never used them hunting (yet). I have a load for my .30-06 that seems promising.....was wondering about using it to take smaller antelope (duiker, steenbok) as well as possibly jackal, instead of using a 180 grain premium bullet.
Seeing as to everyone seems to point to "premium" bullets nowadays, I was wondering if these cast bullets could be used for larger species, or if it is a lesson in folly.
Thanks...........................

I use cast bullets 350 grain with copper gas shield in my 45/70 Siamese action at 2260 fps and Bears don't do more than 5 pace before collapsing dead, excellent also on moose, next i will try my 404 Jeffery 400 grain cast also with copper gas check already cast 200 of them resized and gas check install. .

 

[Woodcarver]

@Von Gruff and @Roberto Mervicini , What lube are you all using with your cast GC bullets in the large bores? I plan on using cast 500gr GC in my 458 Lott, maybe some 405gr as well.

 

[nztimb]

I used the recipe that was developed by member of a group I was associated with who were into the extremes of cast bullet shooting both in terms of alloy developement for velocity and hunting capabilities as well as the lube that was required to get it there with this being the resulting data. I easily ran to 2500fps with this lube but some of the guys were approaching the 2700fps+ area.

For a simple lube that is for under 2000fps, a simple recipe is 60/40 beeswax to vaseline with a crayon for colour. You can vary the vaseline content to suit the temperature you are doing the majority shooting in.

 

[Woodcarver]

I used the recipe that was developed by member of a group I was associated with who were into the extremes of cast bullet shooting both in terms of alloy developement for velocity and hunting capabilities as well as the lube that was required to get it there with this being the resulting data. I easily ran to 2500fps with this lube but some of the guys were approaching the 2700fps+ area.

View attachment 497605 For a simple lube that is for under 2000fps, a simple recipe is 60/40 beeswax to vaseline with a crayon for colour. You can vary the vaseline content to suit the temperature you are doing the majority shooting in.

Looks like a batch of that will probably do more than a handful of .458 castings, which is good.
I make my own replacement for Alox, which works better and is significantly less sticky, so "cooking" up a batch of this shouldn't be a problem. That's why old pots and pans don't get tossed.
Thank you!

 

[Longwalker]

I just received a shipment of cast bullets from an online friend that I have begun testing in my .450-400 3" Nitro Express. They weigh about 360 grains instead of the standard 400, but I'm fortunate that a moderate load of RL15 makes them shoot to the sights. They are beautifully regulated in my Merkel double. An added bonus to having a lower recoil, moderate cast bullet load to practise with or use for smaller game is the bullets cost about 1/4 as much as premium hunting bullets for my rifle. It's early going in my tests but I'm liking the concept so far!

 

[Roberto Mervicini]

@Von Gruff and @Roberto Mervicini , What lube are you all using with your cast GC bullets in the large bores? I plan on using cast 500gr GC in my 458 Lott, maybe some 405gr as well.

I only use LEE Liquid Alox, work fine for me, i place the bullets in a plastic container with a tea spoon of Alox, cover and roll it 1 minute empty on wax paper single layer leave overnight and resize them wile add the gas check, after i repeat the process and the day after are ready to reload. Like i mentioned my 45/70 350 grain exit the tube at 2260 fps and seriously no leading .

 

[Damonk1384]

I have cast boolits for all my rifles and handguns. I have had good results on the range and would not hesitate using them for hunting if, I didn’t live in California. I generally use Alox, gas check for rifles, size and shoot.

 

[cajunchefray]

I just received a shipment of cast bullets from an online friend that I have begun testing in my .450-400 3" Nitro Express. They weigh about 360 grains instead of the standard 400, but I'm fortunate that a moderate load of RL15 makes them shoot to the sights. They are beautifully regulated in my Merkel double. An added bonus to having a lower recoil, moderate cast bullet load to practise with or use for smaller game is the bullets cost about 1/4 as much as premium hunting bullets for my rifle. It's early going in my tests but I'm liking the concept so far!

Longwalker, your experiences with the 360 grain Cast bullets in the 450/400Nitro 3" has piqued my interest. I'm looking for a practice load for my double, I have a good load with Reloder 15, and Woodleigh 400 grain softs, but I wish to save those and practice with something else.

Can you share the mold manufacturer and part number for these cast bullets?
Alternately, can you share your source of cast bullets?

Thanks,

 

[Longwalker]

The mould is RCBS # 416-350-FN. Unfortunately obsolete. I'd love to find one! ( any of our members have a lead on a seller?) The bullets require .416" gas checks, and were sized for my rifle at .413" diameter which is 0.003" larger than groove diameter. Seems like that would be too big, but it works for me! A .413" bullet still slips in and out of a fired case with no force needed, so it seems I have a fairly loose chamber.
I loaded them with 68 grains of RL15 and 5 grains of Dacron filler. Shot high but centered and both barrels together.

 

[cajunchefray]

Longwalker, thanks for that information. I thought about buying that RCBS .416 mold a few years ago when I had a .416 Remington. Now they are as scarce as hens' teeth.

I will be searching for bullet casting individuals, that still make some occasionally,
(I see them sporadically). and if I find some need to get a lube sizing setup for cast bullets.

Appreciate the load info.