Need opinions on RCBS 308-165-SIL

[ShooterAZ]

I'm thinking about purchasing this mold. This will be my first cast iron rifle mold and I'd like it for all around use. The rifles I want to shoot it in are: My Remington 1903 Springfield, Ruger 77 MKII .300 Winchester Mag, Springfield M1A, and M1 Garand (several).

I have been casting with the Lee C312-155-2R, and C309-170-F with very good results, but I now have several RCBS pistol boolit molds now and I find them to be of very good quality. My only gripe is why don't they make a 4 cavity mold? I have had to send a couple of Lee molds back recently, and I want to purchase a quality rifle mold that will last me a good long time.

I did a search, and did not come up with much on this here. How many are using this mold? Is it suitable for the rifles I want to use it in? Looks like it might need a long freebore. What diameter does yours cast? What lubes do you use with it, etc. Any opinions and pet loads are welcomed and wanted.

Thanks...Shooter

[runfiverun]

they are designed so the nose engraves the rifling.
i use it in my ruger 308 and 30-40 model 95. i
cast it from a 4/6 alloy [it is an older mold] making the nose about .3015 and the body makes .310.
the boolit has no crimp groove and relies on neck tension.

[HARRYMPOPE]

I shoot the 180sp and like it a bit better than the 165 Sil. as it bucks wind at 200 way better.It is .310 x .301 depending on alloy.I have used it in a FAL STG 58- Springfield (2 and 4 groove) AK 47 Saiga 308 as Well as rifles in 30 BR and 308 Remington. I think its the best 30 RCBS has but the 165 SIl isn't bad either. its just too light for my tastes in a 30 caliber.

[Longone]

Hi ShooterAZ,

If you would like, send me a PM with an address and I'll send some to you to try and you can see for yourself if they will work.


Longone

[bobthenailer]

I use the RCBS 30-165 sil in my 30/20 SS pistol and accuracy is equal to jacketed bullets up to at least 200 yards

[ShooterAZ]

Thanks for the replies guys, and the generous offer Longone. Now I'm looking at the 180SP also, as well as the 200 SIL. I will do a little bit more research and pull the trigger (pun intended).

[btroj]

The 165 SIL is my go to 30 cal bullet.

[runfiverun]

don't overlook the 311041 or the rcbs 150 fngc.
they's a partial bore rider but has a crimp groove.
and you may [probably will] be using different molds for some of those rifles.

[Quigley284]

+1 on more molds. Thats asking alot for one mold to be successful in all your rifles. Mike

[Wayne S]

Shooter AZ,
All this is related to the M1A only;
if you haven't read Bruce B's testing of the M1A, it's an excellent read, epically the part where the bullets mustbe seated to allow for total cambering. Unlike bolt guns where the nose is desired to engrave the rifling. Before buying the mold, try and collect a few samplings [yes, the same design RCBS molds do vary in size] I'll see if I can find a few culls of the Lee 312-155-160, and compare them to my 165 Sil.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=3558
Found some culls, My 165 Sil. drops with the bands miking .309 and the nose .300, and is 1.00" long, the .312-155 TL is .985" long , .311 on the bands and .305 on the nose. As I posted on the other thread, when my M1A arrives it's going to be a lot of testing to see what bullets will allow for 100% cambering and keep the GC at or above the case neck.

[ubetcha]

I use the RCBS 165gr sil bullet in my T/C 14'' 30-30 for I.H.M.S.A.silhouettes.The gun probably shoots them better than I can hold.My alloy is 4ww to 1lino.18.5 gr SR4759.I can shoot a 39x40 score ,but theres alway one target that seems to be able to duck the bullet.

[Char-Gar]

The RCBS 165 Sil is an excellent choice for your purposes.

[popper]

I use the 31-165B from Accurate. It's an alum mould but very good quality, looks similar to the 311041 with a single lube groove and crimp groove at the right place for 308. I think he makes it in heavier also. I use it in AR-308, doesn't have the BC of a SIL but is a bore rider that works in my semi-auto. So far I've gotten to 40 gr. H4895 with good results, about the same as an Amax at shorter range.