Cast lead bullets for WROL scenario

[Garand]

How can you put up a large quantity of handgun ammunition aside economically these days? During the late '80's & early '90's I was very into competing in IPSC, which meant I was a high volume reloader. I had to be if I wanted to compete in at least 15-20 matches a year. In those days virtually everyone reloaded using cast lead bullets. Competitors these days (2021) seem to have more discretionary income than we did 35 years ago, those that don't buy factory ammo reload with TMJ bullets and disposable brass seem to be the order of the day.

I was surfing the internet this morning curious about current ammo prices. I found one supplier in Canada selling 1,000 rds of Wolf 124 grain 9mm for $496.00 (before shipping). Wow! I still reload 9mm using cast bullets. 1,000 124 grain 9mm bullets cost me $80.00, 1,000 primers recently cost me $65.00 and a pound of W231 costs $47.00. Grand total of $192.00. That is a considerable savings. In other than a WROL scenario cast lead bullets would be a gift to a lawyer prosecuting in a court of law. In a WROL situation handgun ammunition made with cast lead can still provide as good of performance, plus you would have twice the stock available. The chances of encountering a large number of people wearing vests is minimal in a WROL scenario, besides vests generally stop handgun bullets anyways.

If you go further and get into casting yourself, bulk lead is still cheap and can be cast into many different calibers. Personally I would stick to cast pistol bullets for reloading and factory bullets for rifles. It is my experience that finding the right cast bullet/powder/rifle combination requires an unbelievable amount of perseverance.

[orangetom1999]

Picked up some cast lead semi wadcutters some time back and I like them in .357 diameter.


Also have picked up some cast lead bullets with gas checks in .357 magnum an also .41 magnum and like them for keeping down leading at higher velocities...

LIke cast bullets in .45 ACP as well.


Orangetom
Not an Ishmaelite.

[orangetom1999]

Took a new lady Friend to Bass Pro to seek out some items in the Ladies Apparel section. They did not have what she wanted.

In the mean time I went to the reloading section and found a bag of 50 new brass cases in .308 Winchester calibration and I picked them up.

Also I picked up a box of .357 diameter cast copper plated bullets in 250 count from Berrys manufacturing....158 grain weight.

Also picked up a box of 100 count Hornady A Max bullets Caliber 308 in 168 grain weight.

These supplies will be put away.

Their selection was not great but I could use these supplies and will be putting them away for future use.


Oh...and they were expensive....the prices have noticeably gone up....noticeably. Paid cash...for these items.


Did not see any powder or primers but these may have been behind the counter and I did not desire to wait..

Planning a trip to my other source for reloading supplies across the river and soon..


Also stopped by DeYongs Saddlery and picked up a long sleeve shirt for me and a Hooded Jersey pull over for the lady.

I like DeYongs but they too can be a bit pricey.


As for today and Now You Know The Rest of the Story.


Ya LL take care now....!!


Orangetom
Not an Ishmaelite.

[Tugaloo]

Garand,
Today's competitors are extremely well funded. Their so-called production firearms are better than an 80s race gun.
Today's CAS wear period correct and very pricey clothing. IMO, it took all the fun out of any and all.

Ammo is still too pricey for my tastes.

Here, commercial ammo shortages are somewhat easy to explain.
In 2020, our NICS checks totaled 39,695,315. In 2021 ending at September, 30,467, 508. Many were first time buyers, which explains shortage of commercial ammunition. What good is a firearm without ammunition other than none.
My guess is the demand for components also affected reloading prices???
https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/nics_firearm_checks_-_month_year.pdf/view

Orangetom,
At a local shop, my wife bought a purse that has an outside access zippered compartment. It fits every slab side type here, it's leather and quite stylish.
According to the NRA, women are buying more firearms than men.. Perhaps their famous intuition tells them what Sam Colt said many years ago.....

[orangetom1999]

Yes indeed Olde Timer..I too bought a purse for a lady with the zip up compartment between the regular sections for a handgun. It was a bit expensive but I don't regret making the purchase for her. As an Apartment manager she needed concealed carry more than myself...much much more.

In the Apartment business you get on occasion some serious two legged wildlife....so renting.

Sam Colt Indeed.



I have been reloading a number of cast bullets of late and some with gas checks.

These gas checked bullets are in .357 diameter and also .410 diameter for .41 Magnum. To my surprise the gas checks work well in keeping down the leading in those higher velocities. I had no idea until recently trying them out at the gun club.

Cast lead bullets can deliver some serious energy up close...serious energy.



Later today I will be going out to my garage and reloading those recently purchased .308 cases with a special solid copper bullet for deep penetration....purposes.180 grain....weights....and then setting them aside for special purposes.

Have the same solid copper bullets in .357 diameter also at 180 grain weights.

Never shot any as of yet but have them for special applications.


Orangetom
Not an Ishmaelite.

[orangetom1999]

Reloaded ammo today...

Today while working on my scooters out in my garage I decided to reload some 50 rounds of .308 into that recently purchased bag of new .308 brass from Bass Pro the other day.

I loaded them with these particular kind of deep penetration solid copper bullets.

.308 180gr-Copper Safari Solid (cuttingedgebullets.com)


I have a previous batch loaded into .308 cases and also another batch of 50 reloaded into 30.06 cases as they take the same bullet diameters .308.


Have the same set up in solid copper bullets reloaded into .357 pistol cases...and have reloaded several batches of these.


Have not tried them out to date but hope never to have to use them....

These bullets are expensive and will be purchasing another batch ...in .357 as well as .308.


Have also purchased a single box of 50 solid copper bullets for reloading into a 7.7mm WW2 Japanese Arisaka rifle...in .311 diameter.


Orangetom
Not an Ishmaelite.

[Tugaloo]

This link might be an aid to your reloading: https://www.chuckhawks.com/7-7mmArisaka.htm

The 7.7mm Japanese uses the same .311-.312" diameter bullets as the .303 British. The rimless, bottleneck case is 58mm (2.27") long and the shoulder angle is 25.5 degrees. This case has a .470" rim diameter.

[orangetom1999]

Thanks for that link Tugaloo...I have bookmarked it.

I have discovered that factory ammo is expensive and difficult to find here locally....and with the help of another co worker....who also has a 7.7mm Arisaka Rifle...I have learned to shape my own brass from 30.06 cases....pushing the shoulder back and opening up the necks to accept those .311/.312 diameter bullets...as are also loaded into the .303 Enfield rifles.

The necks are then cut down to the proper length ...on a Sinclair case Trimmer....and then reloaded as normal.

Works out fine and inexpensively once the initial down payment is made in the proper gear...cutter and dies ....full length dies and plenty of lube.

I have put back about 300 rounds of this kind of ammo made from 30.06 cases. Will be making more over time.



It is a bit labor intensive but still less expensive than factory ammo....

And ironically ...when I have time...I like to knock around in my garage...like this....the rest of the world can keep going on by...if that even makes sense!!??

It is a good feeling to know/realize one can get around certain roadblocks...expenses and such by learning new skills. It is satisfying.



My Arisaka Rifle does not have the Emperors Chrysanthemum ground off it as do so many in both 6.5mm and 7.7mm. I also have that rattlely dust cover on mine. Usually the solders would remove it as it made too much noise out in the field.

I don't have much use for a bayonet but have the 7.7mm bayonet to complete the rifle historically. Same for my 1903 Springfield.

Wow are those ever long bayonets...!!!

The rifle has to be longer with the bayonet than were many of the Emperor's soldiers tall.!!


Thanks for the link.

Orangetom
Not an Ishmaelite.

[Tugaloo]

OT,
If the 7.7's chamber is different than the ought 6's, I'd fire form the brass with a light load. Fireforming creates an almost perfect fit for your chamber.

I have a TC in .30 Herrett, the brass is formed from .30-.30 Winchester. To insure a fit in the TC's chamber, I'd fireform it using a light load. I used either kapok or farina

Here are 2 good articles:

https://sierrabullets.wordpress.com/2016/09/14/reloading-101-fireforming-cases/

http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?91163-COW-method-of-fire-forming

I have an original 1903-A4 and one that I converted to a sporter for hunting back in the 1960s.

[orangetom1999]

Tugaloo..

You are exactly correct here on this...

OT,
If the 7.7's chamber is different than the ought 6's, I'd fire form the brass with a light load. Fireforming creates an almost perfect fit for your chamber.

Same with my TC Contender when I form .223 cases into 7mm TCU...fire form first...



I like the 1903 Springfield series of rifles....they made a winner with that one..Even better than my M1 Garand....and the Garand is a fine tool.,

I verily like my Ishapore Enfield in .308 calibration...it is no where near the shooter as is my 1903 Springfield...


Orangetom
Not an Ishmaelite.

[Tugaloo]

In today's world with the internet, being correct with fireforming is easy. ;)

Because it has turned cover into concealment for over 100 years; the .30 Cal is still a game changer.


Furnished by the Department of Ordinance.

The platform was the 1903 and 1903-A* Springfield and accuracy at 600 yards was MOT or Minute Of Torso or good enough for government applications.

PS: As I would have added a winking smiley to the last sentence; I wish they were available here..

[Armyjimbo]

I reload everything but 12g and .22LR.Couple of reasons for that, for 12g I cannot come close to reloading at the price of buying new, and don't really use it that much. So I buy an econo box of 100 each type each year, while I only shoot a box or 2 of 25 to keep skills up.. The rest gets stacked up, when I pass the grandkids will be not paying for it for a long time. Same with .22 LR, I always try to get a econo box every few months.
For pistol a friend casts and powder coats as part of his business. I initially bought 2k of each caliber of his sub standard ones that didn't meet his standards for sale. Once I got all my brass loaded, I now keep another 2k @ for reloading in the future, along with primers.

For rifles I keep a few 100 for general usage .300Sav and what not. I keep an ammo can + of high use stuff + components to reload complete.

[Garand]

[QUOTE=Tugaloo;n221994]Garand,
Today's competitors are extremely well funded. Their so-called production firearms are better than an 80s race gun.
Today's CAS wear period correct and very pricey clothing. IMO, it took all the fun out of any and all.

CAS period correct clothing can be very cheap when your wife hits every second hand store when we travel to a match. In this period of shortages I find that within 750 miles of my location there are 4 cast bullet manufacturers that continue to produce the same pre-shortage production that they did 24 months ago. I'm guessing that the younger generation is very set in their minds. Personally, I enjoy the fact that I can generate 1,000 rds of ammo for either a handgun or Pistol caliber Carbine for approximately $200 (Cdn)