Cast bullets in the .303

Of late I have been experimenting with several cast bullets for my No4 Mk1 & N5. My goal is/was reasonably accurate shots with light charges of pistol powders at short range (as my backyard range to backstop is 55 yds. A buddy had previously cast up a large amount of RCBS 115 gr FN for our .32-20s so I started there. I cast up 3 different projectiles from Accurate Molds (134, 155 & 180 grains). The 2 that worked best in both rifles for me were the Accurate Molds 31-134D and the 31-180MB. Both were bored for .314 diameter and are flat base. After trying Red Dot and Bullseye, it seems best result came from Unique. I like 8 grs. with the 134 and 10 with the 180 with rear sights elevated to 300. Neither will win Camp Perry at 3 inch +/- clusters seems to be the norm.....minute of squirrel or racoon? Good enough for 70 year old eyes with uncorrected vision. Oddly enough, after ordering and using the 180 almost two years now, the website still reflects "none sold". Anyway, good clean fun at a low price. 

No, just plain base at quite low velocities. Leading hasn't been an issue. And to help with clean up, I fire 2 or 3 jacketed bullets at the end of any session going more than 20 rounds.

Actually, I cast every winter here. Way too toasty the remaining 8 months or so. I had cast all of the Accurate Molds bullets used. Really good quality molds! Tom, the proprietor will tweak diameters for you to satisfaction. I had thought of purchasing the GC variants of these, but my thriftiness (read: cheapness) kicked in. I did have to play a miniscule amount with the magazine lips on the Maltby for reliability. Easy fix, accomplished in ten seconds on-site with my Leatherman. 

Brit  & Doco, I agree that bullet diameter appears to be a limiting factor when shooting cast bullets. I had acceptable accuracy my old Lee .312/180 for years. Eventually it started growing fins and was given to a friend who thrives on "projects". During the Pandemic I ran out of gas checks and it seems none were found anywhere. I tumble lube my Accurate Molds plain base projectiles with Alox (from what I read it is identical to Zeibart undercoating). I do think that shooting them as cast & unsized @ .314 works best for me, anyway. Iff'n my Chrony were still a thing (granddaughter armed with her no-choke .410 put it to sleep for good), I'd test out the speed. Am guessing with the 180s and 10 grs of Unique I am at no more than 1150fps.

Sapper, coincidently enough I just deprimed, resized and cleaned just shy of 200 .44 Special cases this afternoon. This and .32 H&R mag are my favorite revolver cartridges. 

Uncle Grinch wrote: I cast for my No4 and my 1891 Argentine and my M39 Finn Mosin with Lyman’s 314299 with gas checks. It has allowed me to enjoy these old milsurps for over 40 years.