I have put together about 250 rounds each of 308 and 30.06, using 150gr flat nose gas checked bullets over 30gr of 4895 in both. I expect to use these on whitetails. They shot well in a Savage (308) and a Browning Medallion. My feeling is that they should do at least as well as 30/30. I have not chronographed them as I don't own one but looking at the Lyman 47th I'm estimating about 2100 fps. Comments!
Hunting with cast 30s
- Thread starter reomack
- Start date
Although I don't have the Brinell hardness numbers, some lead bullets could be cast hard enough that they shoot well, but do not expand properly on game much like a FMJ.
M.T. Chambers would have an idea of what is and is not acceptable for cast .30s for hunting.
M.T. Chambers would have an idea of what is and is not acceptable for cast .30s for hunting.
- Location
- Golden Lake
I haven't used the 150 gr. but have used a 170 gr. flat nose and 200 gr. round nose in both .308 and .30-06 and the 170 gr flat nose in the .30-30. At 1800 to 2100 fps all have been good killers.
2100 fps is probably a top figure for shooting 30 cal. cast.
But, you could also shoot a 200 grain cast at the same velocity. It would carry up much better, have far greater power at the muzzle and keep that power up over distance, far better than would a 150 grain cast bullet.
I'm wondering why you chose such a light bullet?
I agree with your choice of a flat point Gc for hunting, I shoot alot of .30 cast but have only used the Lyman#311041 at 175grs and a gc fp bullet on game and it works well. Cast too hard and all you have is a Fmj, Bhn of 19 or less will give some expansion at 2100fps. Commonly avail. cast bullets of BHN 25 or so are too hard to ensure expansion and can be brittle. As Bruce said, a 200 gr. Fp would be ideal for hunting with a .30 cal. even the 30/30...IMHO
I have had very good results with that bullet in my 308 with 43.5 grains of varget in my gun.
Was getting around 2600fps and groping was about 1.5 inch at 100 yards.
No leading.
I used the “downloading” method described in the lee manual.
I haven’t tried hunting with this bullet but like Ben mentioned regarding the alloy hardness.
If cast at the right BHN it should perform very nice.
Was getting around 2600fps and groping was about 1.5 inch at 100 yards.
No leading.
I used the “downloading” method described in the lee manual.
I haven’t tried hunting with this bullet but like Ben mentioned regarding the alloy hardness.
If cast at the right BHN it should perform very nice.
Well, to tell you the truth, I picked the 150 because of ignorance. I have cast 45s and 38s and done a good bit of shooting with pistols but never thought about cast bullets for hunting. So when the latest Midway flyer came and the Lee mold for 150s was on sale, I bought it without doing the least bit of research. Anyway the harm is done and I will use what I have. As to the alloy, I'm using water quenched WWs which should give me a Bhn of about 16 so I should have a bit of expansion even at 2100 fps. Truth to tell, most of my shots at deer come at under 150 yards and probably less than 100 so I think I'll be alright energy wise. I 'll let you know how I make out this fall.
I bought Lee's 150fp, 160r, 170fp 180r, grain 309 bullet molds last summer. I to will be trying them out on deer sized game. So a water quenched ww cast bullet will have a bhn of 16?
I bought gas checks as well to push them out at 2000fps.
great post
I just looked at there 200 grain RN, I guess I get one of those too! I'm picking up one of everything I may want, in case the factory bullet prices get more ridiculous!! ha
I bought gas checks as well to push them out at 2000fps.
great post
I just looked at there 200 grain RN, I guess I get one of those too! I'm picking up one of everything I may want, in case the factory bullet prices get more ridiculous!! ha
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As we've come to expect, Ben is right on. That's my bullet of choice, from straight unquenched wheelweight (BHN of about 13), at about 1800 fps.
I donated the cast bullets for this test :
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162814
Here's what you can expect expansion-wise, from cast (read post #184 in the above thread for details and for a comparison with jacketed):
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
I've used 170 grain fp on deer a number of times from the 30-30, and seen no failures.
I was shooting at 1950 fps, using aged water quenched wheel weights. You can count on penetration, but expansion, is unreliable.
Another advantage is that cast bullets generally hold their crimp better in a tube mag than their jacketed counterparts if you're one that has to jack them in and out of the mag all the time.
Put the bullet in the right place, and the deer won't go far.
an example: A deer was running quartering towards me, at about 25 yards. I heart shot the deer, but it gave no indication of being hit, swapped ends, and now at something like 50 feet, made to pull the vanishing act. I knew I had not missed, just from confidence, but was concerned that something had gone wrong, and fired again. This shot entered about a half inch from the anus, and exited the brisket. The deer fell like a sack of potatoes on the spot. The insides were as to be expected, a hell of a mess.
I will always shoot until the animal is on the ground.
I was shooting at 1950 fps, using aged water quenched wheel weights. You can count on penetration, but expansion, is unreliable.
Another advantage is that cast bullets generally hold their crimp better in a tube mag than their jacketed counterparts if you're one that has to jack them in and out of the mag all the time.
Put the bullet in the right place, and the deer won't go far.
an example: A deer was running quartering towards me, at about 25 yards. I heart shot the deer, but it gave no indication of being hit, swapped ends, and now at something like 50 feet, made to pull the vanishing act. I knew I had not missed, just from confidence, but was concerned that something had gone wrong, and fired again. This shot entered about a half inch from the anus, and exited the brisket. The deer fell like a sack of potatoes on the spot. The insides were as to be expected, a hell of a mess.
I will always shoot until the animal is on the ground.
PerversPépère
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Shawinigan (Quebec)
Funny that nobody mentioned that hunting bullets can be made softer BUT must incorporate a gas-check. A cast bullet of the proper weight can do well if driven at moderate speed but the gas-check should be considered mandatory.
PP.
PP.
