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Thread: Sizing boolits for .308 Winchester?

  1. #21
    Boolit Master
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    I gas check my .30 cal rifle boolits. A new Ruger American likes .310 while my warhorse Model Seven which has seen several thousand factory ball rounds needs a .311. I have yet to try powder coating in my rifles because the gas checked tumble lube boolits work so well. My 30-30 likes .310. I use NOE expander plugs to open the case mouths to accept the boolits nicely. 2400 is my go to powder for about 1675 fps.

  2. #22
    Boolit Master
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    There are always exceptions, but I use .311" for everything including 7.62x39 (Ruger BA, not SKS), .30-40 Krag (Ruger #3 and Win. 1895 reproduction), .308, and .30-06. However, I did have to neck turn brass for use in a couple of rifles; most rifles won't require neck turning. I've done some not-very-extensive 100 yard accuracy comparisons using .310" and .311" bullets. It takes a pretty accurate rilfe to see a difference, but overall, the slight advantage is with .311" bullets.
    Last edited by lotech; 02-23-2021 at 09:14 AM.

  3. #23
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    TCLouis's Avatar
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    10.0 Unique will provide a bit more than a "cat sneeze" methinks.

    I would go with the 0.311 sized boolit if it will chamber.
    TRY IT you may well like it.
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  4. #24
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by TCLouis View Post
    10.0 Unique will provide a bit more than a "cat sneeze" methinks.

    I would go with the 0.311 sized boolit if it will chamber.
    TRY IT you may well like it.
    Yep! I powder coated some Accurate Molds 31- 165 D boolits today and loaded them for my 30 - 30 over 10 grains of Unique. Got 1500 fps. and a clean bore. Alloy was coww plus some tin.

  5. #25
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by armoredman View Post
    ....
    As soon as I get 1) brass and 2) dies, I will load up some dummy testers.
    Let us know when you try them.

    I use the NOE XCB bullet in my Savage .308, sized to .310. It is seated deep into the case since the tapered nose section contacts the rifling 'early'. I suspect your two bullets may have that problem as well.

    When seated to jam into the rifling they shoot well for me. <1" groups are not unusual. I am using ~21gn 4198 for 1750fps.

    When used in the Garand they work well and seat out to 'normal' length. Those are pushed to 2000fps to cycle the action.
    Last edited by charlie b; 02-22-2021 at 08:20 AM.

  6. #26
    Boolit Master armoredman's Avatar
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    I was trying to get a set of dies but things got severely in the way. Still trying.

  7. #27
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    Quote Originally Posted by armoredman View Post
    I have two molds, the Lee 160gr .312 and a nice NOE 129gr .314. I have been using them for 7.62x39mm for some time and am wondering how well they might work in .308? What size is best - I saw one gent sized his to .311, which would let me use the same sizer I use for 7.62x39mm, or do I need a .309 sizer? Favorite powder/loads?
    Just kicking it around - would most likely be used in a bolt action rifle. Thoughts?
    I would keep the moulds you have for your 7.62 X39 separate and get a new LEE mould or two for the .308 which will throw bullets closer to .308 size.
    Then get a .310 or .309 sizer die.
    It makes it all so much easier on you.

  8. #28
    Boolit Master Forrest r's Avatar
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    That lee 160gr bullet you have is an excellent bullet for the 308w. Size them to .311 and load them long so they lock into the riflings in the throat of the chamber.

    Unique makes for a lot of fun/range time. 2400 can and will produce some impressive groups. Never hurts to try some H335 or 4895 while your at it to see just how hard you can push them.

  9. #29
    Boolit Master
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    i use 18 grain of 2400 with lee 160 grain boolit sized 309 in my savage 116 308

  10. #30
    Boolit Buddy Eddie1971's Avatar
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    In my military 30 cal rifles .311 is the best option. Although my old RI 1903 slugs out at .3085 so I use .310 in that.

  11. #31
    Boolit Master armoredman's Avatar
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    Late return, sorry, but I FINALLY managed to locate an old set of RCBS dies. I loaded up a few dummies and sent them to him, and the second one was good on COAL with no problem chamberiong. I am not at home and forgot exactly the COAL that works but with the NOE boolit it stops right at the top of the crimp groove so all good. I flared the case ever so slightly with the Lee Expander Die and then adjusted the seater for just enough crimp to take the flare off, and loaded testers with 9grains of 700X, 10gr 700X and 11 gr 700x, according to Lyman data. Not changing my mind from Unique, but I use Unique for 9mm, and although 700X is good for handguns, I HATE IT...I hate the way it meters. I'll save my Unique for my dwindling supply of SPP for now.
    So. hopefully this will work well for him. I did try the concept of pistol powder with cast boolit with Lyman data in 8mm first, and it worked very well. They really weren't "cat sneeze" loads, either, felt like medium power rifle loads.

  12. #32
    Boolit Buddy paul edward's Avatar
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    My two CB loads for 308 Winchester use the Lee Lee 309-160-R sized .309 with 20 grains of 2400, or the Lyman 311299 sized .311 with 12 grains of Unique.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check