lead bullet for 308

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new to loading lead bullets for 308. these are 30cal. 180gr.hard cast with gas check.
i would like to use them for target shooting out to 100yd.
what is max.speed i could drive them without leading the barrel?
looking for reloading data for the best accuracy.
recommendation welcome. thx
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Max Velocity will have a lot to do with what lube is used, if it's a soft Alox lube then up to 2000 fps is about max if you have one of the better lubes and the bullets are sized to fit you bore correctly you can expect 2300+

A good general all purpose powder for cast is IMR SR4759 I use 19 to 20 gr in a .308 win and get great results they fly about 1900 FPS on my chronograph.
 
lead 180 g w gascheck in 308 my book list
W748 start 36.0g 1921 fps with CCI 200 primer WW case
W748 max 38.0g 2023

i have never used W748 with lead

but of the 2 powders that you have that i have a data for that is the one that i would use = W748

with the 36g load of 748 you can maybe get 3-4 reloading with out trimming brass

i use a neck sizing die and when it gets tight in the action about 4-5 do a full length size and trim

You might be able to just resize with out pushing back the shoulder

also have data
lead 180 g w gascheck in 308 my book list
W296 start 17.0g 1590 fps with CCI 250 mag primer WW case
W296 max 19.0g 1788

Do you need a crimp die?---------no
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I load 3030 for a winchester and just use the RCBS seating die to crimp that put enough crimp on it that i can use it in the tube mag:D

in 308 i just use a seating die set far enough down to remove the flair i put on ( so no crimp ) box mag bolt action
but i am in the process of working on a new powder and bullet combo 150g & 170g bullets
 
Ball powders in general are not recommended for cast loads, Ball powders need high pressure to burn clean.

Of the powders you have the only one I would consider is the IMR 4895, Lyman lists a load for 180 gr at 33.9 Starting load for 1900 FPS.

If you want to use a pistol powder buy yourself some Unique.
 
My Lyman book shows 14.5 grains of Unique as one of the accuracy loads for 180 grain cast bullets. 10.0(1373fps) to 14.5(1730fps). It's max load so work up. Mind you, it's only at 38,100 CUP.
 
I think some wrong terminology has been used. You don't need a, "Neck expanding die." I think what was meant was just a flare die, to slightly flare the neck, so the cast bullets will go in the neck, without shaving lead.
Gas check bullets have a lessor tendancy to shave lead, than does a flat base bullet.
Back, like 45 years or so ago, we got along on a minimum of tools. I loaded a lot of gas check bullets in a 30-06, by just cutting out a bit of the inside neck of the case with my jack knife to make a little vee.
 
blacksmithden said:
The other factor to consider is how hard your lead is. If you got it from linotype or wheel weights, you'll be fine to 2000. If it's softer, you'll have to experiment a bit.
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great information. thx for all input.
i use 100% linotype, only one problem, after resized it read .3085
i was told lead bullets needs to be bigger, like 309
will it cause a problem?
 
Get an assortment of larger sizers, my rifles seem to like .310", my best load used to be 19.5gr. of 4759 with any weight 175-210grs, but best now is 30grs. of Varget. For best accuracy I run borerider bullets upside down and part way up a .300" or .301" or .302" depending on chamber/leade/bore dimensions. Getting benchrest accuracy out of cast bullets is a fascinating and rewarding hobby, don't limit yourself to one design or one size, as I have found that some designs/sizes won't shoot at all out of some rifles and shoot like gangbusters out of another.
 
I agree that 4895 would be the powder to use.

I have never shot cast rifle bullets that fast.

I use 4759, 2400 and Unique.

Unique and 2400 are very versatile. I don't know if 4759 is still available. I am down to my last jug from a 44 pound drum of it.
 
i use 100% linotype,
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If using linotype your BHN should be around 22 but you have to have a casting temp of around 775deg F so it should be real hard
good but bad you could mix it a bit and make your lead supply last longer

I am using range lead and have no problems to 1900 plus Fps,
i can shoot 50 rounds in a day and have no leading problems

with the 180g you will have a few of the grease rings showing so keep them clean as dirt will stick to the wax (plastic amo box)

load a 1 dummy first and try it in your chamber, if it sticks ( have to use bolt to remove it) it is too long (you can use dummy as a set up round for later reloads)
can't give you a length as each gun / mold is different make shure if you want then to feed from your mag that they will fit there as well

some combs will not feed from the mag (blunt nose) and will have to be single fed--- ( i got lucky and have no prob with my set up)

IMR makes some of the best powder for reduced rifle power lead loads
if you enjoy it you will have to buy a cast bullet reloading book

good luck
 
ben hunchak said:
Get an assortment of larger sizers, my rifles seem to like .310", my best load used to be 19.5gr. of 4759 with any weight 175-210grs, but best now is 30grs. of Varget. For best accuracy I run borerider bullets upside down and part way up a .300" or .301" or .302" depending on chamber/leade/bore dimensions. Getting benchrest accuracy out of cast bullets is a fascinating and rewarding hobby, don't limit yourself to one design or one size, as I have found that some designs/sizes won't shoot at all out of some rifles and shoot like gangbusters out of another.
Click to expand...

ben
+
1 it is a rewarding hobby.

For best accuracy I run boreider bulllets upside down and part way up a .300" or .301" or .302" depending on chamber/lead/boree dimensions.

could you explan what is the borerider bullett ?
 
Borerider is the long front portion of some bullets, it is meant to be seated well out of the case and into the rifling. In the case of .30 cal. bullets the front portion should be around .301" and should be a tight fit into the rifling without "engaging", this really centers the bullet as it heads out the barrel. If the bore riding portion is too small(loose) in the rifling, it will wobble somewhat on the trip down the bore, if it is too tight, it won't fully chamber. If you check out the Lyman pics/designs, #311332, 311299,311284 are all boreriding designs, #311041 is not....Ben
 
I make about 10 diff. .30 cal. bullets for my benchrest shooting, 7 are boreriders, 3 are not, I make Lyman 311041 and LBT 160 gr. and LBT 200, those are the 3 that are full dia. front and are seated more like j-word bullets. As talked about earlier I use Lyman's #311332, 311284, 311467(Lovern), 311299,314299(.303), Saeco #315, Eagan MX3 Ard, among others and these are all boreriders. If anyone has any questions on these bullets and making them for their own use I will gladly give my experiences/dimensions, etc....Ben
 
Hmmm...I'm actually looking for something I could load for 30-06. I'm guessing I'm looking for something similar. I haven't gotten into casting yet, so I'm hoping to find someone who is making them.
 
I shot a lot of cast through my 308 for best accuracy you should match your pressure to the hardness of the bullet. linotype bullets would require a peak pressure of almost 32,000 psi to seal the bore effectively.

So you load to this pressure. The lee manual has the pressure calculation for reductions in grainage for all the Hodgson powders. This would be a good starting point to work around to develope an accurate load.

Also your bullets are probably small. If you could get your hands on some pure lead (it is softer) cast a bullet and pound it into your barrel. Remove it and measure the bullet. If it is 308 you should probably size it to 310 or 311.

Not trying to dissuade you from casting for your 308 I did it for years, You will find that what works best is to load it down to 30-30 levels. I just discovered the 30-30, yes I know it has been around for 110 years or so. You can basically do anything with a cast bullet with it as you can with a jacket. no downloading required.
 
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