Hunting with .308 cast loads?

Chuckbuster

Chuckbuster

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It's winter and I'm thinking ahead to the fall. My daughter will come out with me as a 12 year old hunter apprentice this coming season. In thinking of a rifle for her I've been wondering about the .308 with a 165gr cast bullet ahead of 5744 at about 1700-1800fps. Anybody use such a combo? I would think recoil will be tolerable for her (obviously I'll be having her out at the range well in advance to practice) with this load. Nevertheless, the combination just occurred to me this evening and I was wondering about any experience with it or a similar load.
 
look into reduced jacketed loads using H4350, likely the same velocity and a far better bullet choice for a beginner, cast bullets work well but can be unforgiving if shot placement is less then ideal
 
Soft cast with a flat point (air cooled ) with a gas check would be your best choice
if your barrel is a 1/10 twist you velocity range will be 1660 to app 1950 fps for best accuracy (can vary +-)
I would go with the heaviest bullet you can get and chamber 190g - 200g = most energy
To work up loads (as she gets better / can handle faster loads try Unique for a powder

groups will open up fast when you go too fast with cast

for those that don't think much of cast loads the 300 aac blackout has all ready taken deer (in the usa) drt
placement is more important than speed

if you end up using jacketed at reduced loads use bullets designed for the 30-30 ( jacketed nose is thinner & designed for expansion at lower speed for the 30-30)
 
Tagged for interest. I'm curious if there are limitations because the bullets might not expand. I've shot ww metal water quenched at around 1800fps into wet compact news print and was surprised to see that the bullets failed to expand. Perhaps using a flat nose bullet might help to cause more damage.
 
Chuckbuster said:
It's winter and I'm thinking ahead to the fall. My daughter will come out with me as a 12 year old hunter apprentice this coming season. In thinking of a rifle for her I've been wondering about the .308 with a 165gr cast bullet ahead of 5744 at about 1700-1800fps. Anybody use such a combo? I would think recoil will be tolerable for her (obviously I'll be having her out at the range well in advance to practice) with this load. Nevertheless, the combination just occurred to me this evening and I was wondering about any experience with it or a similar load.
Click to expand...

Shot a little 4X4 elk with a similar load, but paper patched out of a Ruger #1 in 303.
The details are under the sticky for the Ruger #1 in 303.
Yes, shot placement is critical with cast.
 
Thanks for the input gentlemen. I'm mulling over my options as I want her to enjoy the whole experience, whether or not we take a deer this year. As mentioned, a reduced .308 load is one option, 7-08 another, and I'm also thinking of .243. Given her stature, nothing I currently have is suitable for her to use...or so, I thought, until looking in my storage, my Puma carbine in .44Mag caught my eye. It has a 16 inch barrel, but I'll have to get her out with it to check stock length, which I'm betting may also be too long for her. So, I'm thinking I will likely have to buy her a youth sized rifle. I know a couple of sponsors have such things in 7-08 and .243 in stock. I don't think she'd mind having her own Savage rifle to go along with her .410 and pink camo .22 semi. I'm not so sure such a beast exists in .308, though.

But, back to the load data, I had checked loaddata.com but to my surprise, found limited options there...and also, in looking at some of the loads, I wondered if they were still a bit snappy for a youngster. I'll look into whatever reputable load data I can find myself, or that anyone more experienced than I can provide. Thanks.
 
If you want to save money and mess with your scope elevation depending on which ammo you are using, well just try a few loads and see.

Personally, I would get her a cheap savage axis with scope in a caliber that she can handle, and use factory ammunition for hunting, especially if it was my daughter.
 
I'd say your options are pretty open. I've used cast in a 30 30 for deer, a 160gr flat nose cast of 18:1 lead and tin. It certainly killed the deer, and for what it's worth would expand to .600" shot lengthwise through a windshield antifreeze jug of water, and another bullet(smaller meplat) showed some expansion at 1500. I'd guess +/-1900fps. I doubt if jacketed bullets automatically expand better at low velocity. Think 32 40 loads.
Grouch
 
May I suggest you keep your eyes open for a Savage model 340 in 30/30. They can be found fairly reasonably priced on the EE. The stock can be easily cut to fit her and a replacement stock can always found later if needed. Low recoil round, likes cast bullets if you are so inclined, and the 340 is a pretty accurate rifle. You can always use 125 spitzers if you want since it is not a tube mag. Just something more to think on. Good luck.
 
My son started shooting a cut down 308 at age 6. It used around 36 gr of 4895 under the Sierra 125 soft point. It was very accurate, but he was limited to just 600 yards. It ran out of steam after that. If your deer are under 100 yards, it would do just fine. Similar to the SKS.
 
I have used cast bullets from a .30-30 at about the velocity range you are discussing. I use the Lee 150 FN, with gas check. The recoil is relatively light, and the load is effective for deer. One ran in a little circle of about 10 yards and died. The alloy is not critical at this velocity, so something relatively soft should work without major load development. Shot placement is important, as with all cartridges. Being a cast bullet doesn't change that, but they are effective.
 
periculumnexnecis said:
From my experience with my 12 years old son. savage axis youth in .243 is the way to go.
Click to expand...

I would do something like that. Less trouble

Try to buy it used to save money. Sell it when you dont need it anymore. Factory ammo, low recoil, low value rifle, no issues.

Ok sorry I am not answering your question.... but I cant help, I know nothing about reduced loads, sorry.
 
All valuable input. Thanks gentlemen. The good thing is I have until summer to think and make a choice; one variable in the equation is just how much she may grow between now and the approach of hunting season...she has been growing like a weed, getting taller, as of late. Too much healthy food, I should think.
 
I have used .308 110gr soft points behind 43gr of win748 with great results. I made them up to get a girl I know used to shooting centerfire cartridges. She was shooting a norinco m14 with an 18.6' barrel and her first comment was that there was such little recoil. that bullet flies at around 3000fps if I remember correctly. great, cheaper way to shoot jacketed in a .308. I also cast 200gr RN for .308 that the recoil shy love to shoot. Its a little more work to get the accuracy and expansion you would need for hunting though. So unless you're feeling really commited to sorting this out, jacketed would be the best way to go.

also a remington 700 aac-sd with 16.5" might be a nice way to go for rifle. The shorter barrel should keep the weight more towards her torso and make it more managable. I forget her age now but that might even be too much.

I hope she enjoys hunting/shooting
Jeremy
 
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