Author Topic: 308 cast does its job (Read 586 times)

jh45gun · « **on:** October 30, 2004, 08:52:49 PM »

Well kinda did its job as I wonder if it would have been more different with a higher powered jacketed bullet? Shot a nice 5 pointer Fri with my Encore Pistol in 308. It was for a T zone WI hunt that you are supposed to shoot anterless only but since I have a Class A disabled permit I am allowed to shoot buck or doe. This is the 3rd deer I have killed with The Encore so far and the first buck. I like it, it is a nice rig. With the price of every thing so high this year gas ect ect I figured I would use a cast bullet load I had tried that had milder recoil than factory ammo and shot well. While factory remington ammo is not that expensive I would have to use some of it to resight the gun back in after shooting cast loads and I figured since I had the cast loads already and the gun sighted in I would use the money for the gas tank instead of buying some factory shells. I had reloaded some jacketed a year ago and the recoil was so stout that I developed a flinch shooting them so went to the lighter recoiling cast loads to get rid of the flinching problem. I can shoot factory all day long and they do not bother me and the ones I reloaded with the jacketed bullets would have been fine in a rifle I suppose because they showed no pressure signs they were just too darn stout for the pistol. Must have been more than a factory load. Any way back to tha buck I figured I would neck shoot him because I knew that would put him down and I would not have to go after him if the cast bullet did not do its job. Pulled the trigger and the buck dropped like a ton of bricks. Ok good so far. Started walking up to the buck to dress him out and he lifted his head and stumbled off. I could tell he was hurt bad because he would go about 5 to 10 yards and lay down again. He kept this up for about 4 more times. I finally got a other bullet into his neck after he went about 30 yards from where I first shot him the first time. I suppose IF I would have let him lay he might have died but it was about dark and a storm was coming and I wanted him out of the woods before that happened. Some guys came along and helped me drag him out of the woods so that was a good deal. Anyway I got him and all was well. I just have to wonder if using a more powerful factory jacketed load if he would have moved or been down for the count? I figured the load I made up was using 2400 and if my memory serves me right I think the load was rated for 1850 FPS. Some where betweed the 18 and 20 grains. Since 20 is maximum I think I settled for 19 grains. The bullet was a round nose and I think that a flat point would have been a lot better choice using a 30 cal bullet. I have no fear of using my muzzle loading bullets or my 45/70 for deer because the bullets are a lot bigger as was most of the cast bullets used for deer hunting back in the black powder cartridge days. Any one have any thoughts on using 30 cal cast for deer hunting. I myself think I will stick with a faster jacketed load in the 30 cal and leave the cast to my larger diameter calibers. Not saying it did not do its job as I got the deer but it took two rounds to do it in the neck and while some may not favor the neck shot I have not lost a deer yet that I have shot using a neck shot. Yea I shoot for the boiler room also with loads I know and trust but the verdict was out on this load as I had never hunted with it. I have read of guys using a 30 cal cast with good results but then heard others that a larger caliber cast is a better choice. After seeing the results of this hunt I would have to tend to agree sone what but would like to hear what you guys think of cast 30 cal hunting loads? Jim

Flash · « **Reply #1 on:** October 31, 2004, 01:09:43 AM »

Yes, the neck shot is an all-time winner for dropping deer in their tracks but the higher the velocity, the greater the shock delivered. I use this shot when using mild loads myself but always use a follow-up shot into the head if possible, unless of course it's a trophy. I use cast loads in many of my rifles and handguns and at close range, you can't beat them. Like I said, a follow-up shot is important on larger deer but on smaller deer, one is enough. Sure, a jacketed bullet at 2,800 fps would have done the job with one shot, without a doubt but a cast load will do it with two. A second round is a nice trade-off for mild recoil, quieter report and costing a few pennies.

jh45gun · « **Reply #2 on:** October 31, 2004, 10:08:54 AM »

Yea some guys told me on other post to ditch the round nose and get some flat points. I agree with this but the round nose were the only ones I had on hand except for some cast spitzers and I did not want to use them. Will have to look for a good source for some cast flat points and buy a mould when I can find a design I like. I have killed 3 deer with neck shots and never lost one but some guys do not like the shot. I have heard guys say to never shoot a deer faceing you or faceing away from you but I have taken these shots also and never lost a deer. Maybe just lucky but that has been the case. Jim

jhalcott · « **Reply #3 on:** October 31, 2004, 03:29:44 PM »

congratulations on your deer
I've seen guys shoot deer 2-3 times with factory 30 caliber RIFLES and still need a finishing shot when they find the deer.Don't let it bother you too much,you got your deer.

jh45gun · « **Reply #4 on:** October 31, 2004, 04:52:10 PM »

Thanks Jhalcott. After reading some replys at other sites I guess you are right. They said to stick with the cast load get a little more velocity and go with a bullet with a flat point which I agree with I just did not have any at the time but will buy a mould If I can find a one that lee makes or buy some pre-made cast ones to start with If I can find some. Jim

jhalcott · « **Reply #5 on:** November 01, 2004, 04:30:24 AM »

Yea, I've been told those pointy nosed 45-70 bullets I use aren't right for hunting also.None of the seven deer seemed to notice they were not being damaged as much as they'd have been if I'd use a flat point bullet. Most never took a second step! 'course I'm putting twice the size hole in them as your 30 cal.does! :wink:

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #6 on:** November 01, 2004, 01:23:23 PM »

JH, you can bump a pretty good meplat on the nose of your RN bullets. I use the pedestal of a Lee push through sizer and a pistol die with a SWC nose punch. Few tries and you get a feel for just how much pressure to apply. Doesn't hurt accuracy that I can tell.

jhalcott · « **Reply #7 on:** November 01, 2004, 04:28:05 PM »

leftover, those are NOT rn's but pointed bullets from an NEI mold. gas checked and lubed they go about 420 grains.I got the mold years ago before I found out they weren't the best design for long range work. I kept the mold and use the bullets to remind myself that I could have gotten a mold that MIGHT shoot better than 1 MOA! Or kill a deer deader than dead! I filed a flat on the nose of some but they didn't improve the performance at all. Actually dropped a few inches at 300 yards more than as cast bullets.