Any further updates on this thread?
I recently assembled an Ar308 from various new parts and a 80% lower, PSA 18'' 1/10 barrel, topped with a Leupold 8.5-25LR. After testing for accuracy with 168g. Hornadys & IMR4064, I started to test, for function mainly, with cast. Alloy was Foundry type from Roto Metals mixed with 50/50 (ww/pure) 1 part foundry to 2 parts 50/50, powder coated and air cooled. I did try some NOE 311299, air cooled, lubed (by hand) with fiver's "simple lube" and Varget, one batch sized at .310 and some at .311. Chrony at 10 ft. the average was 1875 fps. No leading except for 2 or 3 specks on the cleaning patch. Powder coated was pushed a little more, with IMR4895 average was 2110fps. with the 311299, and 2076fps. with Lee's 312-155 2R. I tried Lymans older 311644 with the lube groves in the nose, and Lymans 311332, both powder coated, just to be sure they cycled the action and held the bolt open. They did but I didn't chronograph them. All loads tested held the bolt open, except the 312-255.
I did try a load with 35.0g. of IMR4350 and powder coated 311299's. Average velocity was 1644 fps. and didn't hold the bolt open.
I will be interesting to see how the 311644 and the 311332 shoot. Their so far out of round, It's amazing. Maybe the barrel will make them round. LOL !! Just got some Superhard, Supertough, and some Tin from Roto Metals on Monday. But........ it's deer season here, and I don't want to ruin anyones chances, by shooting too much.
I live on a side road, one mile from the main road. The shooting range is out of my basement window, or off of my deck. 100 yards to 350 yards. Or 40 yards from the basement porch into a sand trap. Usually use this short range to set up scopes, and to get different loads centered on paper. Then to 100 yards to test. My lube sizer has Ben's Red in it, but haven't tried it yet. The powder used is Candy colors from Powder by The Pound. Cases were L.C. and the primers were old Winchesters WLR from the 1980's and CCI #34's. So far I haven't tried for accuracy, just functioning of the rifle. Anyways, this is where I started. Also, I've been casting and reloading for many years. But this casting for a gas gun is new to me. Thanks ''''''' I think """" to Winelover for his testing, here and on the other site. It's the reason I started this project.
I'm also looking at NOE's 30XCB, and, or, the 311-169 ELCO. Any thoughts on these? Is there a better choice? Also, any criticism or other comments would be fine.
Thanks Cliff