New here but I’ve been on a journey for some time.

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Sloughfoot

Member
I was invited over from another forum by Waco! It’s actually some of his fault I’m on this journey, and it’s been an exciting head scratcher. Im on a quest to get to 500 yards with the 308. Been reloading since 2001. Casting pistol since 2005 and just 3 years ago converted 99% over to cast in everything I own! My very first cast bullets I loaded for 308 gave me a 23” group at 100 yards I knew then there was going to be science involved in this endeavor. Im looking forward to reading and learning from all who will put up with me, I’m a bit slow but Stubborn in the fact I won’t quit! I aquired some Accurate 5744 last weekend and produced so fairly good 100 yard groups. Using the NOE 312-165 GC and powder coated. Im considering and will try some pan lube this weekend that Waco suggested. I also have been weight sorting bullets for.5 grain consistency. I also have a goal to start paying closer attention to what alloys I use for this project. My normal pot consist of 3 parts clip on wheel weights and I part pure lead. And that’s been a fantastic blend for powder coating and hunting. Rifle of choice is ruger American Go wild with 26” barrel and Simmons 4x12-44 pro target scope
 

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Ian

Ian

Notorious member
Alloy is fine for 3,000 fps at least if powder coated. 13.5 BHN air cooled (after three weeks or so) achieved with slightly watered-down clip weights and a pinch of tin does great for me.

The secret to accuracy is don't bump your headspace more than .002", don't use a standard sizing die on your fired brass because it over-works the necks and draws them off-center (use a bushing neck die or a bushing FL die like RCBS GMM), DO size the necks for an ID about .003" under bullet diameter and run a cast bullet expanding die to bring them to a uniform .0015-.002" under bullet size, use only Forster Benchrest seating dies to ensure concentricity, seat .010" or so off the ball seat, and size your bullets smaller than you tjink you need to...I use a. 309" Lee push through die to get .3095" or so, this prevents scraping off the coating on the sharp edge at the end of the chamber.

With good castings and a load your rifle likes, that should get you jacketed velocity with 1.5 MOA ten shot groups out to at least 500 yards.

20190320_183414.jpg

These groups are repeatable on demand. The LR-308 has an 18" barrel, didn't chrono the bolt gun but it has a 24" barrel and should be pushing 2600 fps at the muzzle with this 176.5-grain bullet.
 
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S

Sloughfoot

Member
Ian said:
Alloy is fine for 3,000 fps at least if powder coated. 13.5 BHN air cooled (after three weeks or so) achieved with slightly watered-down clip weights and a pinch of tin does great for me.

The secret to accuracy is don't bump your headspace more than .002", don't use a standard sizing die on your fired brass because it over-works the necks and draws them off-center (use a bushing neck die or a bushing FL die like RCBS GMM), DO size the necks for an ID about .003" under bullet diameter and run a cast bullet expanding die to bring them to a uniform .0015-.002" under bullet size, use only Forster Benchrest seating dies to ensure concentricity, seat .010" or so off the ball seat, and size your bullets smaller than you tjink you need to...I use a. 309" Lee push through die to get .3095" or so, this prevents scraping off the coating on the sharp edge at the end of the chamber.

With good castings and a load your rifle likes, that should get you jacketed velocity with 1.5 MOA ten shot groups out to at least 500 yards.

View attachment 37418

These groups are repeatable on demand. The LR-308 has an 18" barrel, didn't chrono the bolt gun but it has a 24" barrel and should be pushing 2600 fps at the muzzle with this 176.5-grain bullet.
Click to expand...
What’s your source of tin
 
CZ93X62

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
Welcome to the asylum, Sloughfoot.

Ian didn't steer you wrong. I have zero experience running cast bullets in 308 Win, but LOTS of time-in-grade with 243 Win, 30/30 WCF, and 30-06. I also don't powder-coat.....I am a Luddite. I use standard RCBS sizing and seating dies along with Lyman neck expanders (custom-made when the OEM stuff isn't of the proper size). In 30-06 I can manage 1.5 MOA to 2000 FPS with the Lee C309-200, Lyman #311291, and SAECO #301. I can run both Lyman #245496 and RCBS 6mm-95-SP to 1.1-1.3 MOA @ up to 1900 FPS using this same regimen. These accuracy standards hold to 200 yards in both calibers.

My original motive for my casting venture was economic--jacketed bullets were expensive when we were raising kids and there was always month left at the end of the money. I made do with the velocity limits imposed by the poured and greased bullets and was able to do more than my share of shooting and hunting.
 
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RBHarter

RBHarter

West Central AR
Welcome from the West edge of ARKANSAS.

I had this Arisaka the first load gave me 52" at 50 yd. It improved almost immediately with a different bullet .
 
S

Sloughfoot

Member
CZ93X62 said:
Welcome to the asylum, Sloughfoot.

Ian didn't steer you wrong. I have zero experience running cast bullets in 308 Win, but LOTS of time-in-grade with 243 Win, 30/30 WCF, and 30-06. I also don't powder-coat.....I am a Luddite. I use standard RCBS sizing and seating dies along with Lyman neck expanders (custom-made when the OEM stuff isn't of the proper size). In 30-06 I can manage 1.5 MOA to 2000 FPS with the Lee C309-200, Lyman #311291, and SAECO #301. I can run both Lyman #245496 and RCBS 6mm-95-SP to 1.1-1.3 MOA @ up to 1900 FPS using this same regimen. These accuracy standards hold to 200 yards in both calibers.

My original motive for my casting venture was economic--jacketed bullets were expensive when we were raising kids and there was always month left at the end of the money. I made do with the velocity limits imposed by the pored and greased bullets and was able to do more than my share of shooting and hunting.
Click to expand...
My original motivation for switching to cast wasn’t to much different. I was angry that components had disappeared and or sky rocketed, I also had a realization that the bullet marketing manufacturers had basically tricked me into believing the only reliable shooting or hunting bullets were jacketed and cast was inferior. Since then I’ve proven these things to my self that they were false. The vast majority of looks I get at public ranges when they figure out I’m using cast and with accuracy is one of bewilderment.
 
CZ93X62

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
The last quarter century has been filled with component droughts and retailer buccaneering--no doubt about it. Public bewilderment is part & parcel of the bullet casting game--you can't have one without the other. Reloading is a niche hobby--like fly tying is to fly fishing. Bullet casting is a niche within that niche--think 'Deer hair bass bugs' within the fly tying realm.
 
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