Hatsan .30 - cast bullets?

[BobCard]

It would appear that the general consensus is that the Hatsans are not well equipped to shoot cast bullets.  This is what I've gathered from a little lunch hour research.  Looks like they enjoy the JSB diablos pretty well.  Anyone out there loaded up some cast bullets with success?

I went all in last night and picked up the .30, a Leapers 4 x 16 x 44, UTG bi-pod, and 600 rounds of JSB (300 45 gn, 300 50 gn).  Based on videos I've reviewed I know those will be shooters.  Like the idea of using a cast bullet, but won't bother if it won't hold long range accuracy. 

Your thoughts and musings are welcome and will be taken into consideration. 

Cheers!

[blackdiesel]

I tried one type and they didn't shoot well in mines. What are the planned targets for cast bullets?  The 30 cal will have to be modified to get up to 100 FPE and at that power level it will shoot the 50 gr pellets (950 fps) pretty good.  It's probably not feasiable to get it shooting more than 100 FPE so no real need to shoot cast bullets since I would imagine 50 gr pellet @ 100 FPE will kill anything that a cast bullet will kill. 

[BobCard]

Thanks BD, planned targets would be coyotes, skunks, possums, any small pest trying to destroy my backyard or eat my wife's cats - sometimes tempted to shoot the cats but I won't. 

That or general plinking.  I will play around with it for a while out of the box and have already spoken w/ Baxter about mods down the road. 

Mr. Hollowpoint had some .30 listed on his site.  mrhollowpoint.com - I saw the new .30s and shot him a quick email asking if he had tried them with the Hatsan.  In his words ...

'I tested a hatsan 30 last week, it was not so good.

The way the hollow points sit in the magazine it’s hard to feed properly

I can’t really promote my work with that particular gun.

I am happy to sell you some but no guarantee on flight pattern.'

I was largely intrigued by the idea of shooting cast bullets as opposed to pellets.  That and a good hollowpoint would allow for the Gallagher effect on fruit which is always fun.  Also saw some interesting casts at Hunter's Supply but again emailed a contact there and was told they had not tested them out on Hatsans.  I'll probably wind up buying a couple for s*&^s and giggles to see what happens.  Thought I might try to make a single loader tray for it.  We'll see. 

[blackdiesel]

I think Baxter is investigating the advandages of getting an aftermarket barrel to shoot cast bullets.  I haven't read how it's going lately but I'm sure he will update the forum if this works out well.

[Bwalton]

I think Baxter is investigating the advandages of getting an aftermarket barrel to shoot cast bullets.  I haven't read how it's going lately but I'm sure he will update the forum if this works out well.

I have not done mine as of yet but I did do one for Dale and his 80 Daystate Air Ranger...Did a TJ Barrel for him to shoot slugs. It  was the one that was design for the RS slugs...Dale will let us know how it works out, I am going to do one for the .30cal and do barrels for those who want them..I am getting close to having my shop up and going.

[PakProtector]

The 70 gr BBT should work. Slug the barrel before you order the mold, and be aware you might not be able to tune it up to 140 FPE( aka 950 fps ). If you get the TJ .300/26" twist barrel, I'd be very interested in knowing its dimensions.
cheers,
Douglas

[rsterne]

I just designed a new 68 gr. BBT for the .30 cal, the molds may eventually be available from NOE.... It's significantly shorter than the 70 gr. from Accurate, and will work in barrels 27" twist and faster.... I also did an 80 gr. for NOE, but it needs a 22" twist.... Either should fit the Carnivore magazine just fine, but the choked barrel I'm not sure....

Bob

[Prouzy]

Thanks BD, planned targets would be coyotes, skunks, possums, any small pest trying to destroy my backyard or eat my wife's cats - sometimes tempted to shoot the cats but I won't. 

That or general plinking.  I will play around with it for a while out of the box and have already spoken w/ Baxter about mods down the road. 

Mr. Hollowpoint had some .30 listed on his site.  mrhollowpoint.com - I saw the new .30s and shot him a quick email asking if he had tried them with the Hatsan.  In his words ...

'I tested a hatsan 30 last week, it was not so good.

The way the hollow points sit in the magazine it’s hard to feed properly

I can’t really promote my work with that particular gun.

I am happy to sell you some but no guarantee on flight pattern.'

I was largely intrigued by the idea of shooting cast bullets as opposed to pellets.  That and a good hollowpoint would allow for the Gallagher effect on fruit which is always fun.  Also saw some interesting casts at Hunter's Supply but again emailed a contact there and was told they had not tested them out on Hatsans.  I'll probably wind up buying a couple for s*&^s and giggles to see what happens.  Thought I might try to make a single loader tray for it.  We'll see.

I shot the 42 and 57gr and was not good from the magazine.  The way they seat due to the position of the orings in the make, they cant. When shooting the 42s, they were about same fps at the muzzle as JSB 44.  In single load mode, 2.5" groups at 35-40yd. Maraudinglizard worked on a magazine mod that seems promising.

[nielsenammo]

I should have a .300 die very soon for my swage press.  Should have been here already so I should have real soon.  I should be able to make a slug to work because I can change the weight to anything I want.  Do you know the twist rate of your gun?  What speed do you shoot JSB pellets?

[BobCard]

I can tell you when it gets here tomorrow.  I own a couple Hatsans now but my .30 is en route.

[Railbuggy]

Welcome aboard Bob.  I spent a lot of time at Devou.  My parents lived at 1529 Dixie. I cast 150gr .30 cal Lee boolits for my .308 & 30/06.

[blackdiesel]

I'm still waiting to see how the pellets from the molds Bob designed works.  I know that if they work great on one gun dosen't mean it will be the same for my gun, but I will probably go that way instead of trying to figure out which cast bullet works.  I'm not so much concerned with terminal performance as with cost.  It will be much cheaper to cast 30 cal pellets than buy them. 

[BobCard]

Railbuggy - I probably live right down the street from you.  I'm about 5 minutes away from Devou in Park Hills.  I have an excellent backyard to shoot in - goes straight into the woods. 

To the topic at hand - direct from the horse's mouth (Hatsan Service Dept.) ...

"Hello Hatsan Service,

I ordered the .30 Carnivore and had a quick question - are there any cast bullets that you have tested internally that perform well in this rifle?  The general consensus from online reviews is that they haven't performed well.  I've already ordered 600 rounds from JSB which everyone seems to think are the most accurate for this rifle, but wanted to see if you could recommend (if it is a real option) any cast bullets that perform well.  If not, that's fine I'm sure I'll be content with pellets, just wanted to check.

I bought this one to be a long range shooter after seeing some impressive reviews so downrange accuracy would be at the top of the list for any cast projectiles. 

Thanks!

Rob

Robert,


We do not have any recommendations at this point. We are working to find some other options, but we will not settle for sub par accuracy. As you know, shot placement is more important than energy and damage."

So that pretty much clears it up - Diablos or bust at this point.