[tgs]

Is the mini good with neck sized reloads or might I anticipate some chambering problems?
Has anyone tried IMR3031? Ive had good luck it in my M14 wonder how the mini14 would do with it.
Favorite primers?
Does anyone have a .223 mold they want to get rid of. I also have a Ramline folder if someone is interested in doing some trading.
TGS

 

[gutpile]

i tried neck sizing once for my remington 700 .270, and the cases woudnt chamber, so i gave up and never tried to neck size anything else, all i do now is full length for every thing. i tried IMR 3031 in my mini-14 too, my 30-30 loves it so i had some on hand, accuracy was terrible in the .223. so i went to WW-748 and have stuck with that, 748 shoots real well in my mini with 55 to 62 grain bullets, (FMJ and hornady soft points) my brother had real good luck with 748 and 62 grain HP's in his mini, they were very accurate, around 1.5" @100, and had a good wallup when they got there. i stay with the 748 because it measures easy and port pressure isnt an issue with it. i have a friend who likes Accurate Arms 2230 in his AR and bolt .223's, but i have yet to try it. in my opinion of 3031 is it is better suited to the 30 to 35 calibers, but that is just my opinion, other folks may have had better luck with it. primers i prefer CCI and Winchester.

 

[reloader]

For my bolt guns I use my FL to size the neck and just bump the shoulder back, and this is just for target loads. For hunting loads and any semi auto I would never consider using even this method. Just too much room for problems. Even though my mini is set up for target shooting I FL size. What's more I use a small base set. Yes I had the chamber cut a little tight so in a factory chamber the small base FL is overkill.
My loads are 77gr SMKs over W748. I like the powder, it does meter well and it gives me outstanding results in every important measure. I can recommend it.

 

[mikr]

Neck sizing only will not work for the mini--you have to full length resize it.
I would bet a neck sized round will not even chamber, speaking from experience.

Rem 7-1/2's and Fed GM for primers.

 

[cajungeo]

For reliability's sake I FL size my cases. I use RL-7 with the 63 grn SP Serria @ 3000 fps. My understanding of poured bullets is they have to be loaded lighter, and use gas checks. Neck sizing only in a semi-auto will cause feed problems (round not seated all the way), and failure to extract problems.

Some reloaders like CCI 400 primers. I have used them, but with my pet reload (above) my mini likes the Federal Gold Medal Match 205M primers. It just depends on the powder type. The Extruded powder is a little harder to ignite, than a ball powder. A 100 pk. only cost less than 2 bucks. Try both to see which shoots, best.

Now I know experienced reloaders know this, but incase there is someone that dosen't know: "Any time you change a primer type this will change pressures, drop down a grain or two on the powder, and work up to pressure, then down for best accuracy."

 

[Texas Patriot]

What cajungeo said. You're only buying misery and headaches if you don't fl size brass for semiautos.

I neck size for my bolt .270 only. Everything else gets fl sized.

 

[tgs]

thanks for all the feedback. Makes sense to FL resize vs. Necking only. Just wondered if anyone had tried.
As far as shooting lead Ive always had good results keeping a few things in mind. Gas check for speeds over 1000fps and awareness as to how hard the cast bullet is. But again this is the first mini14 Ive explored.
Again thanks for the loading info Il be using it and will let you know how lead shoots (bullet lube might be a headache <_< )

 

[bushwack]

tgs---Nobody has said anything yet so I'll jump in here. It may not be a good idea to shoot lead bullets thru a Mini-14. You run the risk of really fouling up the gas system with lead & bullet lube. I can't see where it'd be dangerous but it'd surely be a mess to clean out. If you decide to go ahead with it please let us know how everything goes. I don't remember anyone posting anything about shooting lead thru a Mini before.

Good shooting
Bushwack

 

[mikr]

Just now saw a reference to cast bullets (I thought with his mold ref. he was going to jacket or moly them--why I do not know :blink: )------I certainly would not use cast lead bulles for semi-autos--have you noticed they are not really readily available commercially for popular semi cal's??? (1911's are excluded from this--they are recoil operated)

only asking for trouble IMHO......

 

[tgs]

The lube would make it a real mess as mentioned. Without gas checking the leading would probably be intolerable and the gas port should plug after the first mag. forget I even asked. h34r:

 

[cajungeo]

tgs, for what its worth, I was thinking of making a heavy wad cutter type of cast bullet at a lower velocity, just to experiment for the day when the shtf situation ever came when all the ammo was shot up, and the only lead we could get would be wheel weights. Maybe one day when I'm caught up on stuff.

 

[Fuzzy]

tgs, I can tell you from experience, lead and lube are not a problem if you use gas checked bullets. I have shot almost 1000 cast lead bullets through my Mini 14. I used the RCBS mould 22-55-FN. I could never get the accuracy to match jacketed bullets and finally gave up on the Mini 14. Another guy I know is working on loads for his mini using a mould from NEI. It is a 72 grain mould. So far the results sound promising. I have switched my efforts to the Mini 30. I have found the 30 caliber to be much more forgiving. I have been able to to match the accuracy of jacketed bullets with lead in the Mini 30. I have not kept real good records of how many bullets I have cast but I know how many cases that I bought to start out and use that as my way of keeping track as I know how many times I have reloaded the cases. Right now i am close to 2000 lead rounds through my Mini 30. I tore it all of the way down at 1000 rounds of lead. There was a slight lead wash on the piston and gas block. The gas port in the barrel and the little port nozzle ( what ever it is called) showed no sign of blockage from lead or lube. I might let you know I have been using Thompsons "Blue Angel" lube. I use a heater on my RCBS Lube/Sizer. I have several bullet moulds for the 30 caliber, but my best results have been with a RCBS mould that is special for the 7.62x39mm. It is 7.62-130-SP. It casts .312-.313. I have been sizing to .311 as that is the largest sizing die that I have. I am planing to buy a .312 or .313 just to see if it helps any with accuracy. I enjoy the challenge of shooting cast bullets and hardly buy any jacketed bullets any more. I also like the idea that if or when the SHTF I will have all of the bullets I want and rifles that will shoot them as well as I can hold. I won't go into casting info as I assume you already have that knowledge. Fuzzy

 

[tgs]

Fuzzy I guess that about says it all.
What were you using for powder for the 22-50-FN?
Im going to try it out and will order my mold this week. I think for plinking what you experienced with your 14 sounded just fine. Did you by any chance get to chronograph?
I havent cast any rifle loads yet just .38's and .44's for my hand guns. So it should be fun.
thanks for the info.
TGS

 

[cajungeo]

Fuzzy, your the man! Thanks for the info. If I ever get around to it. I'll give it a try.

 

[Fuzzy]

tgs, Sorry it has taken me so long to get back. I don't get much time to check the BB in the summer. I used IMR3031, Win 748, Hogdon 335 and AA2200 Data. Like I said in the first post, I never did get very good accuracy with that bullet. The best results were with the Win 748. I never did get to chronagraph any of the loads. I bought a RCBS Cast Bullet book from ebay and some load information is in there. The Lyman Cast Bullet book is also a good source for powder charge information and approximate velocities with bullets close to the RCBS bullet. Fuzzy

 

[tgs]

I know what its like in the summer time. Seems like all ive been doing is cutting grass and running the weed eater.
Did get to mess around a little today in the shop. Had an HK to get some sights on and a couple of other jobs.
I sure appreciate the info Fuzzy Ill be putting it to work soon I hope. Ive got to get off my butt and get my molds ordered.
I added a Choate recoil pad that added about an inch to the lop and it really feels good. I always feel like Im shooting a Junior stock when I shoulder a Mini14. so the extra length should help.
I used IMR 3031 with my M1a and found it to excellent but its always very sensitive to a specific weight. I imagine the mini will react about the same. Thats when the Chronograph really starts to pay off. Cuts back on a lot of extra trial and error.
Dont be too busy

 

[cajungeo]

tgs what I noticed is certain bullet types like certain velocities. It takes a certain powder to get it there. My 63 grn sierra sp like 3000 fps at the muzzle. The RL-7 gets it there. Then again the harmonics is another key factor.

 

[Geno]

Most die makers say that cases must be full length sized for a semi auto. Neck sizing is for bolt action rifles.

 

[cajungeo]

You are correct Geno. I bought 500 once fired LC cases, using the full sized die, they wouldn't fit well or extract well from my chamber. I had to use a Small Base die on them to fit, then after firing I could use the full size die.