I have decided to cast bullets for my new 257 and have two questions. What hardness and bullet sizing. Casting is new to me as well as having a Texan so any help is appreciated. I have to say how impressed I am with the rifle so far.
Bullet casting for 257 Texan
- Thread starter DHC
- Start date
I'd go with pure lead (soft), you'll need to know what diameter you need .251, 257, or .258, as well as a mold, you may need some way to size your boolits, to test for best accuracy. Good luck, casting slugs has worked out better for me than casting pellets, and I have been casting bullets for over 50 years and have a commercial bullet bus. Best molds would be Accurate, NOE, LBT.
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So glad to see you finally posting!
I hope this works out well for you. Now I need a more powerful gun to shoot with you.
I hope this works out well for you. Now I need a more powerful gun to shoot with you.
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Soft it is. My lead test was 256 with my calipers so 257 sizing thanks Deciding on the Texan and casting was a package deal for me. I am a few week into the wait time for my noe mold and mad dog stock but I was happy to find two used molds. All that I need will be hear next week . Wish me luck
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Guest
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Arsenal 257388 should be really solid option. You need to slug your barrel for diameter and preferably size .0005 oversize. 98 lead 2%tin and lube them.
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That is the one I ordered when I found out I was getting the gun. In the mean time practice with what I have.
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DHC .. in the meantime .. there are always something in .257 at EBAY .. is always great to find a new bullet to try .. this weekend there was 2 molds that I don't have .257-20 .. in 77g and 257-18 .. 80g .lost them both...but managed to purchase finally a .25 cal Lyman mold for my Sumatra..
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At minimum I lube these bullets with 10 weight pure silicone RC shock oil. I now prefer to powder coat my bullets using the tried and true Ford Light Blue. Then they get the silicone oil lube. These rifles with pure lead unlubed bullets will lead your barrel in 50 shots.
257388 mold is good but so far not as accurate as the two previous molds I mention.
Every .257 owner should own a 257420 mold. My Arsenal Molds are fan-flipping-tastic.
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With a 257420 (pink one) in a .257 Texan you will have a lower power setting to get best groups. You will get 150-160 fpe at 3,000 psi. The Citrus with get around same power but pushed to 3600psi. You will want to stay below 1,000 fps. 980 or there about, seems to be the sweet spot. At these velocities, at a 100 yards the bullet goes in one side and out the other of a Turkey. Lights out.
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I use a 10% COWW / pure lead mix for my 257420 casting. I have not seen any leading with uncoated unlubed bullets in both my .257 Condor and .257 Texan.
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Both my buddy Kevin and I have had moderate to severe leading in Texan .308 and .257, .257 Citrus, as well as my Quackenbush.458 and .58 Outlaw rifles. We both cast in roofing lead which is very close to pure. I have shot as many as a 150 shots with the Texan .257 with powder coated , lubed bullets and four patches and I’m done cleaning. Prior to that it was an hour of scrubbing.
I have also shot a ton of .257 Hunter’s Supply 257420 and though they are much harder that my home cast, they still lead fouled the barrel.
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Lw standard barrel finish is really ruff.. Lapping barrel helps alot but lube is still needed.
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Your rite about a ruff barrel. I'm down to waiting for lead to arrive (ya I've bin to or called all the places). My 420 mold is a little heavy 89g but it will have to do till the noe or one shows up on ebay. Sizing is going to take patience as well. If wishes where fishes all that stuff would be in stock. Does powder coating increase the diameter enough to help an under sized bullet or avoid on one that rite if you don't own a sizer. Thanks for the help.
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Generally you will add 1.5 to 2 thou on a single coat of PC.
Done correctly ... cured at 400 degrees for a min of 20 minutes or longer in a preheated oven and you should get no leading at all shooting pure lead.
I sell Hi quality pc powders all over the world and have many many customers doing so
Done correctly ... cured at 400 degrees for a min of 20 minutes or longer in a preheated oven and you should get no leading at all shooting pure lead.
I sell Hi quality pc powders all over the world and have many many customers doing so
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