Oversize cast. Safe in .308 ?

[1armoured]

 I have been given some 180gr round nose with what looks like copper gas check.


They measure .314/.315


I'm a bit hesitant to shoot them in my Sako .308 75 with factory Sporter barrel.


Any opinions on whether it would be safe or not.


Not sure on the lead composition, but I assume it's not too hard.


cheers,
SS

[res45]

In general a 308 should have a groove dia. of around .308" some rifles can be + /- .001 groove to groove.  I generally size my cast bullets .002 over groove dia. for all my rifles that shoot 308 dia. jacketed bullets.

A .314/.315 dia. cast bullet  would be to large and cause pressure issues and most likely a cast bullet that dia. in a 308 want chamber once seated in the case.   I use cast bullet of those diameters in 7.62 x 39,54r and 303 British.

Just wondering have you measured the inside case neck dia. of a once fired .308 case from your rifle,that measurement should be cast bullet dia. you intend to use, plus a couple thousands for bullet release.  If it's smaller than .314 it's not going to work.

[Nobade]

Yep, what he said....Sako rifles usually have correctly sized barrels and throats, so that rifle will likely need .309 - .310 bullets to fit the throat properly. Even if a fired case is big enough to accept a .314 bullet it likely won't shoot very accurately if the throat is .309 - .310.

If you have the ability to make a chamber cast you'll know what you're dealing with and if the bullets are fairly soft you could get a Lee push through sizer for $15 or so and size them to fit your rifle's throat.

So the answer to your question - most likely safe to shoot. Accurate and useful? Unlikely. But if you have enough of them it'll be worth it to get the Lee sizer.

[mechanic]

Load one and see if it chambers easily.  These may be as dropped from the mold and unsized.  In some weapons I might shoot them as is, but as noted above, you need a chamber cast to be sure.  If it doesn't chamber easily, then by no means should you shoot it.
 
Ben

[1armoured]

Thanks for the replies, guys.


I think I'll leave them alone, rather than risk anything.


I have plenty others sized at .310/.311


and only 31 of the oversize.


I'll find someone else to donate them to.


cheers,
SS

[GH1]

Those bullets will probably work in a Mosin or .303 Brit.
GH1

[wileynet]

if you want to sell/trade them let me know, would work in my 303 brit

[linoww]

if they chamber( i doubt it though) and driven at moderate velocities under 2000 fps or so they will be fine.I shoot standard 30 caliber barrels throated to take .314 bullets with no problems and rather fine accuracy. John Ardito type throating.

george

[Nobade]

Say George, could you tell us what an Ardito throat looks like? I have been hearing about that for years and see them listed in the CBA benchrest results, but I have never found anyone who would tell me exactly how it is dimensioned.

Thanks!