Thread: Help with casting bullets

Hi, new to the forum. I'm looking for some help with casting bullets - don't really want to get into it myself (for now), but I just acquired a .300 Sherwood, which is actually .299/.300 and not .308. The rifle came with a brand new bullet mould, so if anyone is casting already and can help out, please let me know. Thanks!

Welcome Ayeoz. Can you tell us a bit more about what equipment and materials you have for casting besides a mold? How you'd describe your level of proficiency and understanding when it comes to reloading in general? What research you've managed to do? What you're trying to acheive, and any specific questions you might have about how you think you're going to do so? Cheers

Greetings Ayeoz,
Unless you already have a supply of brass that may be your first problem to solve. The original British stuff is likely Berdan and mercuric primed so unusable. It would be nice to see a pic of the rifle though.
Regards Grandpamac.

I second that the only sherwood ive seen was a single shot side lever break action. Picture please.

It's a Westley Richards single-shot 'mini' martini action.

So if you see the photos you understand why I had to have it now, and worry about ammunition later!

Came with 100 unprimed cases, a set of dies and the bullet mould. The cases take normal small rifle primers.

I hand load for all my guns - but have never cast a bullet. All modern smokeless powder and jacketed bullets, though I'm planning to load some 577/450 with black powder and paper-patched bullets I managed to scrounge up.

The bullet mold casts 130 gr, .299" projectiles. I don't have any other equipment and material. The original loading was 140 gr lead bullets over 8.5 gr of cordite, so I don't think I'll have any problems working up a load with 2207. As long as I can get some bullets!

I can see why westley richards brought out that cartridge around 1900 i believe.With lead a few thou either way isnt the end of the world.

Lots of info here.

Cast Boolits

It can be as simple or as complex as you want.


The basics.
Do all casting with plenty of ventilation
Bbq lpg burner.
Cooking pot
Ladle.
Bees wax.
Safety glasses
Leather gloves.

Originally Posted by Ayeoz

So if you see the photos you understand why I had to have it now, and worry about ammunition later!

Came with 100 unprimed cases, a set of dies and the bullet mould. The cases take normal small rifle primers.

I hand load for all my guns - but have never cast a bullet. All modern smokeless powder and jacketed bullets, though I'm planning to load some 577/450 with black powder and paper-patched bullets I managed to scrounge up.

The bullet mold casts 130 gr, .299" projectiles. I don't have any other equipment and material. The original loading was 140 gr lead bullets over 8.5 gr of cordite, so I don't think I'll have any problems working up a load with 2207. As long as I can get some bullets!

Greetings Again Ayeoz,
I thought, and hoped, it might be a small Martini. What a delightful rifle. I have turned green. You may find that AR2207 is a little slow. The .300 Sherwood has a little more capacity than the .30 M1 Carbine so start loads for that cartridge should be a good guide for you. My old Lyman manual lists a carbine start load of 10.6 grains of IMR4227 for 1,366 fps. This is with a 130 grain cast projectile and gives a pressure of 24,600 CUP, probably as far as you want to go. AR2205 is H4227 which is close to IMR4227. While the small Martini is strong accuracy should be easier to achieve with 1,300 fps than higher velocities especially with plain base projectiles. I see that Westley Richards recommended the Sherwood for small deer.
Regards Grandpamac

Thanks!
Oldbloke, I was hoping I could start shooting it without having to learn how to cast the bullets myself; my problem is just finding the time and place to do it. But it looks like I'll have to get into it eventually and that basic set-up looks like a place to start.

Grandpamac, appreciate the suggestion to use 30 Carbine load data as a starting point. I was thinking about that myself, but maybe need to do a little research into whether the pressure limits are comparable.

Talk with rob shooternz its a common practice to resize cast bullets up or down. My old frank barnes book lists for reloads a bullet weight of 150 grains propelled by 2400 7 grains or sr4759 of 10 and recommends lymans number 311241 mold which is .311 in diameter.
A bullet suitable for the 310 cadet or 32 20 would be ok.
The only real problem with oversize lead bullets is occasionally you get tails of lead at the bullets base that can lead to poor accuracy. But basically if it goes into the leed it will come out the other end no problem.
Buy some and see is my advice.

Originally Posted by Ayeoz

Thanks!
Oldbloke, I was hoping I could start shooting it without having to learn how to cast the bullets myself; my problem is just finding the time and place to do it. But it looks like I'll have to get into it eventually and that basic set-up looks like a place to start.

Grandpamac, appreciate the suggestion to use 30 Carbine load data as a starting point. I was thinking about that myself, but maybe need to do a little research into whether the pressure limits are comparable.

Greetings Again,
It was the .30 M1 Carbine start load that I quoted that I suggested using. I would not use anything above that. I think that you will find that the sights are regulated (pommy word for set) for a velocity of about 1,400 feet per second or their 1901 factory load. This will set the velocity. I am sure that you are not thinking of butchering the rifle to take a scope. Using a factory duplicating load will prevent a lot of problems.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

Talk with rob shooternz its a common practice to resize cast bullets up or down. My old frank barnes book lists for reloads a bullet weight of 150 grains propelled by 2400 7 grains or sr4759 of 10 and recommends lymans number 311241 mold which is .311 in diameter.
A bullet suitable for the 310 cadet or 32 20 would be ok.
The only real problem with oversize lead bullets is occasionally you get tails of lead at the bullets base that can lead to poor accuracy. But basically if it goes into the leed it will come out the other end no problem.
Buy some and see is my advice.

Thanks for that. I think I might have trouble chambering .311" into a nominal .300"? A resizing die might be the way to go but the closest one I found is .308". How difficult is it to have one custom made?

Another thought I had was paper patching 7 mm/.284" - might be worth experimenting with that.

Originally Posted by Ayeoz

Thanks for that. I think I might have trouble chambering .311" into a nominal .300"? A resizing die might be the way to go but the closest one I found is .308". How difficult is it to have one custom made?

Another thought I had was paper patching 7 mm/.284" - might be worth experimenting with that.

Hi Ayeoz, If you want to send me your mould I am happy to cast some bullets for you, If they cast close to size you can shoot them as cast which is a cast bullet nuts dream
As cast bullets tend to be more accurate than sized bullets, As long as the cartridge will chamber you are good to go My.308 test rifle has a hight bore .299"/ .3075" and will
shoot .311" bullets cast as accurate as .309", measure inside the neck of a fired case that should give you an idea of the size the bullet can be, There should be plenty
of load data for the Sherwood on English reloading sites, Cheers Robert.

Here are a couple of useful resources for you whether you will cast yourself or not;

From Ingot to Target by Glen Fryxell and Robert Applegate

Modern Reloading Second Edition by Richard Lee

Good Luck