308 Lead Bullet Reloading

[DueceMcGurk]

Just got the dies to reload 308 with lead cast bullets (Lyman 311299 200gr GC) and 2400 powder (16 gr to start).

Anyone have experience with lead boolits in a 308 bolt gun?

[jsanch03]

[hermosabeach]

I hate removing lead from barrels

Powder coating can get you to 2,200 FPS



I’ve never loaded lead in rifles that shoot that fast

[sghart]

I have fired thousands of rounds of lead bullets in 30-30, 308, 30-06, 7x57,35 Whelen, 45-70 and many others.

I don't have any leading problems.

You have picked a great combination. Gas check and size your bullets to .311".

Lube them with two VERY light coats of Lee Liquid Alox and you are in business.

In my Mauser 98 re-barrelled to 308 I shoot the Lee C312-160-R over 18.5 gr of 2400. This load shoots MOA out to 100 yards, the furthest I have tried it.

Bore cleanup is a snap.

If you really want to get in to cast bullet shooting ignore the naysayers. Go to http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forum.php and read, read and read some more. Then ask all the questions you can think of.

Powder coating your bullets instead of traditional lubes is a popular choice and something that you may want to explore. But just starting out I would keep it simple.

Best of luck,


Steve in N CA

[jsanch03]

[sghart]

If you want to know a more thorough step by step process I can send you something via a PM.

Steve in N CA

[DueceMcGurk]

These are very helpful (and encouraging) comments. Any additional info by PM would be appreciated too.

I will be shooting a Win 70 action sporter, and a Howa 1500. Both slug to .308 so I planned to size to .310.

New to casting, so powder coating will come later. I shoot store bought (ACME, Missouri Bullets) coated bullets in all my pistols and love it.

Again, thx to all.

[koehn,jim]

sghart has given you some good advice but you need to slug the barrel, to determine the size of bullit you need. Barrels differ in size by several .000s and affect the bullit. I use a 314299 in by no.5 jungle carbine. Get the Lyman cast bullit manual and read it. Castboolits website is also very good.

[DueceMcGurk]

Jim are you sizing 1 or 2 thousands over slugged diameter? What powder and OAL works best for you?

[koehn,jim]

I size different for each of the rifles, I run ladder tests to work up the loads with different combinations to see what works best. I know its anal but I am retired and enjoy the challenge. Most of the rifles are happy with 1 thousand over and shoot very well. I have gone to hytek coating instead of powder coating. It is about the same cost but I can do larger batches at a time. Try to stick between 1800-2000 fps and you will be happy. With the right combination 2200-2500 is possible, not as accurate for me but works ok. And gas checks are needed, I fit them when I size after coating.

[rsrocket1]

I love cast boolits in my .308 Remington 788.

I have 2 cavity molds in 113, 170 and 200g and have shot anywhere from 2370 fps with the 170



Down to subsonic with the 200g Lee C309-200-R



I like shooting all sorts of 30 cal bullets in my rifle



The 200 grain bullet is a good bullet in that you can load it to hit pretty hard at 2400 fps without over driving the lead and you can also down load it to subsonic with a fast pistol/shotgun powder and still have a pretty hard hitting projectile if you want to use a suppressor.

I use nothing more than 2:1 Beeswax/Vaseline as my conventional lube.





But I also powder coat some of them



With the proper lube and most importantly with a good fit, there is no reason to get lead stuck in your barrel. I've shot over 1000 rounds recently in my 788 and I have yet to clean the gun. With a good load that expands the case to seal the chamber and a properly fitted and lubed bullet, you will not need to clean the inside of your gun, just wipe down the outside with a thin film of oil to prevent rust from handling it.



The most important thing about this is to HAVE FUN!

[kevins750]

Powder coat and alox them lightly.