Cast bullets in a 308 Bolt action.

[Lee S. Forsberg]

Any suggestion for a good bullet and a good load for that bullet in a 308 case. This rifle has a 1-10 twist rate so some heavy bullets might be in order. Also sizing diameter, lube and gas checks. Not after high velocity just a good accurate load. Thanks

[John Traveler1]

Hi, Lee!

Several articles from the American Rifleman, Rifle Magazine, and others have established that a bullet with long-nose bearing surface that rides on the lands is best for cast bullet accuracy in .30 caliber cases.  The .308 Winchester is slightly handicapped with it's short case neck, but can still give fine cast bullet accuracy.  MOA is more often than not the result.

The first one that comes to mind is the RN Lyman 310291 at 170 grains, the similar 150 grain, and the various copies of this mold from Lee, RCBS, Lachmiller, etc.  Cast from linotype, sized to .309" with gascheck, lubricated with Alox, and loaded over 9.0-10.0 grains of Unique, this gives fine plinking accuracy in .30-06 and .308 Winchester.  It's also my favorite in the .30-30, .30-40 Krag, and .300 Savage.  Powder charge may vary for best accuracy, and recoil is very mild.

"Midrange" loads use medium-fast IMR 3031, IMR 4064, or IMR 4895 in moderate charges of 35-40 grains.  This last one is a favorite of service rifle shooters when they don't want to put up with the recoil and noise and expense of full loads.

I've found that the pointy "spitzer" type cast bullets usually do not shoot as well as the RN bore-riding types.  I would avoid full-power loads and jacketed bullet velocities for best results.

All of these loads of course, should be verified in the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook.

[jgalar]

I usually use Unique or 2400 in cast loads. I like to use a heavy bullet to have a better chance of seating the bullet out to engrave the rifling when loaded. The best bet for sizing is to slug the barrel first.

[Nobade]

Recently I've been shooting the RCBS 165 SIL bullet, lubed with 50-50 over 21.0gr. Nobel Sport Tu-2000 in my Howa .308. It's holding under MOA out to 200M, running 1650 fps. Works great for me, and the powder is only 50 bucks for 8 lbs at Graf's.

[Fireball 57]

Hello Lee Slugging the barrel with a soft cast bullet will give you an idea what size you need, the leade, and condition of that Critter.  Some powder/cast bullet combinations are senitive to outside temperatures and powder placement as you know.  Check the boys, at Cast boolits.com for mould information.  Good luck and straight shoot'in.

[flintman]

Lyman #311291,and #311041;also my favorite,the RCBS 30-180-FNGC.
 You probably will not be able to use anything over 180 grains in a .308,but that is just my opinion.
 There is a member in Idaho on this board that sells the NRA 50/50 lube,and he is a fine fella too.