Something New

[docone31]

Well, here I go again,
I have just finished tumbling 300 7.62 cases for my experiment in paper patching 30cal style.
When I sent my collet dies to Lee to have them modified, I also had them send me the Universal Case Expander Die.
Well, that sure beats the dickens out of wobbling a drill bit, I can tell you!
At any rate,
I have wrapped 185gn .30 cal castings, with a nose of .301, and lands sized to .308. Two wraps of notebook paper resulting in .317, sized down to .309.
Sizing went real well, resulting in stable paper patches. The sizing lube to size to .308 was dish soap, the sizing lube for the paper was JPW.
I do not have the sheet on Lee loads for .308. Does anyone have the load data for the Lee Die Set, for 185gn, using 4895? I am going to look it up anyway, it is sometimes simpler if someone has it. I am using the Yellow Lee Scoops.
This worked real well for my Smelly, it should work well for my Ishy.
It might be a while untill I can test them out, as it is "Season" for us at the shop and time is precious indeed.
I cannot believe I actually, reliably, wrapped .30cal castings!!!!!!
You guys are great!
Imagine, paper patched 7.62 Loads!!!!!
Ho Doggies!

[longbow]

I've had some pretty good results out of my .308 with 0.301" diameter PP boolits but very limited shooting. I have mainly been loading .303 British.

I'd have to look up my loads for the .308 but I if memory serves I have only used IMR 4227 and IMR 4064. I have used IMR 4895 in the .303 but not with paper patched boolits.

Since you have a .303 you may be interested in this article if you haven't seen it:

http://www.303british.com/id37.html

For the .308, the Hodgdon site lists the following:

180 GR. SPR SP IMR IMR 4895 .308" 2.800" 40.5 grs. (starting) 2439 43,800 PSI 44.7C grs. (max) 2674 58,700 PSI

190 GR. HDY BTSP IMR IMR 4895 .308" 2.740" 40.0 grs. (starting) 2363 46,000 PSI 43.9C grs. (max) 2571 59,100 PSI

I don't have my Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook handy at the moment but Iwould figure if you started around 35 grs. with cast you should be good.

This from .303british.com:

180 Grain Gas Check Hunting Loads

Winchester Cases, CCI LR Primers

There is no OAL listed anymore because of the different manufacturers.

You must cover the grease grooves or load according to the instructions that come with your bullets. If you are unsure of the OAL, contact the manufacturer or seller!

These loads are approximately 2000 fps but you will have to fine tune them up of down for your rifle.

35.5 grains of IMR4895
37.0 grains of IMR4320
36.0 grains of IMR4064

So, since this is for .303 you should be good at 30 to 35 grs. of IMR 4895 in a .308.

Longbow

[docone31]

Thanks Longbow, That sounds like the load I use for the starting load for jacketeds. I have used the starting load in the .303 for jacketeds with my paper patching and gotten great results.
Sounds like a winner for the .308 also.

[pdawg_shooter]

I size to .3015 and patch with 2 wraps of 16# paper. Lube with BAC and size to .310. Works great in my 30-06 and my 300RUM. I have taken the 311284 over 3000 in the 300 with 1.250 5 shot groups.

[littlejack]

I've been playing with cast bullets in my model 44 M/N. What alloy are you fella's using for your bullets?
Jack

[docone31]

I use water dropped wheel weight. Its kinda my do-all.

[flounderman]

I never have tried a paper wrapped bullet. could you wrap a 338 bullet and use it in a 348? are the bullets lubed under the paper or over it? I have a 348 on a siamese mauser action and a mold for it would cost more than the rifle did. is there a problem tearing the paper when you seat the bullet. what about gas checks?

[docone31]

I do not see why not.
No, the seating in the case does not tear the patch. You have to bell the case, and have an inner mandrel on your die for the size you need.
I don't see why not.

[beemer]

flounderman,the bullets are lubed after they are wraped. The paper works like a sabot, you don't want it sticking to the bullet and ruining accuracy. The rifling cuts the paper and shreds it, sometimes you can see the confetti fly out the muzzle. Lee Liquid Alox will lube the paper and not soak through and stick.

Paper patching is a combination of bullet size and paper thickness to a little over groove size. For example, I use a bullet sized to .308 with 2 wraps .0015 paper to make a .314 bullet for my Mosin with a .312 bore. You have to tinker around with the combinations.

beemer

[docone31]

Beemer,
How does 38.5gns of 4895 sound? It is the starting load I use for jacketeds.
I am using the Lee 2.8CC dipper, same as with the .303 British for the same powder.
I get good results on the .303.

[beemer]

I have not used 4895, I have a 308 but have little experience with it. Being that you have not used the rifle with PP and you are in new ground with it I believe I would start lower. You can always work up after you see what happens.

beemer

[docone31]

Sounds like a plan. I might go with the 2.5CC dipper, instead of the 2.8CC dipper.
No point in making a real mess.

[docone31]

Jeepers, with the bell I am putting on the cases, the patches are just sliding into place without any issues at all! I like this.
The primers were an issue though, half of the cases I am reloading are milsurp, crimped pains in the butt. I have a case trimmer and I am opening the primer pockets. It is additionally a pain as I am using Wolf Primers. They are tight anyway.
I tried two in the chamber, and I can really just keep the base in the neck. The base is dead on the upper shoulder of the brass.
Looking forward to trying them.
Not too bad so far, except I did load some large pistol primers, mixed in with my Large Rifle Primers. Not too many. I have done this before and it worked out. I am not using magnum loads with paper patching.