Lee TL-312-160-2R in tight .308" bore

[Stoats]

The TL-312-160-2R cast at .313 for me. Will they go as-is into a tight .308" throat (.3085) and .308 bore, and if not, will they size OK to .309 without destroying the lube grooves?

Or should I just get myself a .309 mold?

[KCSO]

It will size down to 309 just fine, I use it in the K31 sized to 309 with no problems.

[Larry Gibson]

Sizing the driving bands to .311 would probably be the best. However, the problem may be one of the nose of your bullet not fitting into the actual "bore". Try one of your cast bullets nose first into the muzzle and see how far it goes in. If the nose section of the cast bullet goes in half way or so into the muzzle then I'd suggest loading a dummy round with the bullet seated to the depth you want it and then try chambering it. No GC is required on the bullet for this but it should be sized to .311 or whatever you decide on. If the round will chamber without the bullet being pushed farther in by the leade engraving the bullets nose then you are good to go. If it is pushed in then you need to sized the nose down or get another mould.

Larry Gibson

[runfiverun]

and be careful of just cramming a bigger nose into the rifling, it will raise your pressures a lot.
about 302 on the nose should be close.

[6.5 mike]

Larry Gibson & runfiverun, thanks for the info. I had the same question about using the 160's in my 03a3. I now need to work up some 30-06 brass when I get back to the house. Slugged it but don't remember what it was, did 4 the same day.
How well does this boolit work as a plain base in the '06 with unique? It's the lightest 30 cal I have.

[TAWILDCATT]

I am loading that bullet in 06 with out sizing,and shooting with 13.5 gr of red dot.
lead bullets wont raise the pressure as they are soft.and slip right thru.:coffee:[smilie=1: