cast in 308

[olafhardt]

My various kids have adopted my 30/30's so l am stuck with my Savage 99 in 308 Win (poor me). I have researched this and decided I can use my Lee 150 and 170 molds (both gc) and IMR 4198 to load up 1900 fps deer murderers. I would like to here from somebody who has had success with 150 and 170 gc's and 4198. 4198 is what is available and I got these weight molds so these are fixed. The 1900 fps is not fixed and I am really looking for a load and not a velocity.

[quilbilly]

I am using the Lee 160 gr RNGC in my Remington 308 at about that velocity and love it for accuracy. The powder I am using is 2400. Haven't hunted with it, however, but I am using the same boolit in my 30/30 at an MV of about 1600 and would not hesitate to hunt deer with it out to about 125 yards. Problem with 2400 powder is that it is so hard to find these days that I am switching other calibers to some other powder just so I can conserve the 2400 for the 308 and my 32-20.

[Foto Joe]

I started working up a load with IMR4198 for 173gr 311041 and had issues with velocity excursions. The accuracy was so-so but within my limits for whacking Bambi but when I chronographed the loads I was happiest with I found that the velocity was all over the place. The theory was and still is that the powder was shifting forward on recoil in the magazine of my 30-30. The theoretical cure is to use Dacron filler but given my time constraints on when hunting season was I didn't have enough days left to do it. I switched over to 4895 for my hunting load and was happy with what wound up in my freezer.

The plan this winter while I'm down in AZ is to work up a 4198 load with Dacron since I've got a couple of pounds to play with. If you start working up this load be prepared to play with Dacron if the results you're getting aren't satisfactory.

[jaysouth]

Sorry to hear you are "stuck" with a Savage 99 in .308. Would another Marlin make you happy? I will send you one if you send me that old Savage that you are stuck with.[smilie=s:

[starmac]

You better watch that savage 308 close, I hear they grow up and become 358's. lol

[detox]

Bullet fit is most important. Do a pound cast and measure leade diameter and length. You want to size the bands on your bore rider bullets .0001-.0005 under leade/free bore diameter. The bore ride section should measure .301-.302 (.001-.002 over bore diameter of .300), you should feel resistance when chambering. IMR 4759 and 2400 are good powders. I have no experience using the long grain 4198 in the 308, but it should do OK "IF" you fit the bullet to the gun. FIT IS MOST IMPORTANT