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Posted: 11/23/2008 6:00:19 AM EDT
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Casting .308
I’ve been casting 9 mm and black powder balls for about 8 years. So I have lead (wheel weights), melting pot, and all the stuff I need to cast. I thinking of casting .308 rifle rounds, I haven’t bought a mold yet and have a few questions. I will be using WC 846 (BL-C (2) load data) for the .308. All I’ve used is Lee molds and I’ve been loading 147 gr FMJ surplus bullets. 1.Which mold? What Size? 113-200 Grain I’m looking at the Lee Bullet Mold C309-160-1R (309 Diameter) 160 Grain 1 Ogive Radius Gas Check. 2.What’s been your performance? How Accurate? 3.Any problems with casting .308? 4.Do you think it’s worth it? 5. I’ll be firing it out of a Remington 700 and an FN-FAL any problems with firing from a semiautomatic? Thanks for the help! 
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Since all you need to buy is a mold and gas checks, of course it would be worth it. Loading for the 700 is no issue since you can load wherever you want on the pressure curve. I'm not sure how difficult it is to get the FN-FAL to cycle. Pushing cast to .308 jacketed velocities is doable, but tricky. You need the right combination of bullet size, hardness and lube and the barrel needs to be very smooth or you'll have either leading problems or wildly inaccurate ammo.
Shooting cast at the upper edge of its envelope is as much art as science. The experience and information you need is here: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/index.php and here: http://www.lbtmoulds.com/books.shtml |
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A lubricator/sizer and size die (309 or 310) might be an addditional expense. Or you can shoot bullets "as cast" and pan lube.
Shooting cast bullets from straight wheel weights at a velocity high enough to operate an FAL might cause severe leading of the barrel and gas system. Quenching may help, but linotype alloy would be better. WW would be fine for the bolt gun at reduced velocity. Cast bullets can be accurate. The bullet you talked about sounds fine. I used a Lee 170gr and got 1" five shot groups at 50 yds with my Rem 788. Make sure you clean all the copper fouling from your barrel before you try cast bullets and remove all lead before going back to jacketsed. The links in the earlier post will give you much more info. |
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