First hunt coming up need suggestions

[rigmarol]

I'm going on my very first hunt in October. Going for deer with a gracious experienced hunter who is willing to show me the ropes.

I'd really like to take my first game with one of my own cast bullets.

I'll be using my Vanguard .308. I have 2 or 3 .30 cal molds from heavy to medium weights.

What mold would you suggest for taking deer with from a .308?

[jhalcott]

I like the 31141 ,about 170 grains in the 30-30 ,.308 and 30-06. Also a 311291 close to the same weight has worked for me. I have shot the RCBS 180FN at sillouhettes and deer with great results. You did NOT say which molds you have, but anything mimicing these 3 will do fine. I HAVE used lighter bullets,31466 and Lee 150 grain on small crop raiding deer with success, but accuracy is more important when using them. I have heard of people using even lighter bullets for deer. I do NOT reccomend this to a new hunter.

[454PB]

Rig, as I recall you're a Lee mould guy. The Lee C309- 170- F is a dandy in any .30 caliber rifle. I've driven it to 2200 fps. with good accuracy. Mine casts at .310" in WW alloy, and that's what I size them.

[JDL]

Yep, all the above. I can report that the 31141 at a muzzle velocity of just over 2000 fps will drop deer very effectively. No reason to think the similar RCBS or Lee won't do as well.
JDL

[RugerFan]

I've taken deer and swine with my .308 Rem bolt loaded with Lyman 311291 (170 gns) sized to .311". The powder was IMR 3031. I forget the charge off the top of my head, but velocity was around 2,000 fps and it was a pretty accurate load.

[hicard]

I got my deer this year using a 311041 hollow pointed by our own "Buckshot." Fired out of my 308 at just over 2000 fps, it struck him square in the shoulder. Bullet exited the center of the far shoulder and he went down like he had been struck by lightening. I did have to finish him off but he did not go anywhere after the shot. I was real pleased. Buckshot does great work and stands behind his work 100%.

[rigmarol]

Thanks guys.
Somehow I lost this thread and had to do a search to find it again.

Thanks for the info. When I get home, I'll list what I have available (I don't have them in my head).

Yeah, I like Lee, but I'm not closed to options. I have other brands of molds as well.

I've been trying to get out each weekend and practice a few hours a day. I've about exhausted my free supply of Sierra HPBT matchkings I won over at LASC so I've got to get some casting done before I'm dry.

[rigmarol]

Just got home and checked my molds, I currently have the following:

Lyman #2660672 311672 .30cal 160grn Silh/GC (Drops at ~165grn with Lube&GC
Lyman #2660284 311284 .30cal 210grn RN/GC (Drops at ~218grn with Lube&GC
RCBS #82014 30-180-FN 30 180grn FN/GC (Drops at ~198grn with Lube&GC

Am I gonna need to buy another mold?

Thanks again guys.

[ra_balke]

The 308 is a rather nasty ctg. to load with cast bullets.
Short neck, and a short throat et all..

(By chance do you own a 30-30 ? lovely ctg. )

Were it me, I would use a bullet that will seat into the powder charge..... so no more than a finger nail's worth of lead is exposed to the hot powder blast near the gas check.

Then, I would look for a bullet that will fit the short throat of a 308.

Just off the top of my head, the 150 gr RCBS bullet would work well.

As the others have saoid, if you can get the 311041, or 311 291 to fit, they will work fine.

What you really need is to cast them from air cooled weel weight metal, and drive them at 1700 to 2100 fps velosity, and put them in the right place, ( in the ribs) and you will do fine.

For powder, in 308, 2400 is tough to beat, or 3031, 4759, 4227, ..any of the medium fast burners..

[jhalcott]

I have NO idea what the 311672 looks like, but the 311284 could be too long for the .308. I have used the RCBS 180FN in my guns (lone Eagle and rifle). I had to single load them though, as the rifle has a TIGHT,short chamber. I'm not sure why you do NOT want to get another mold! Either the 311291 (169gr/#2 alloy at 2.510LOA) or the 311041 (170 grFN/#2 alloy at 2.617" LOA) would be a dandy addition. These would be slightly heavier cast from acww. Both can be shot at 2000 fps+.
After looking up the 311672 Lyman, I found it is a FN (though it LOOKS small) gas check design. This bullet apparently was made for handgun silohouette shooting. Therefore I believe you can use it ,if it shoots well in your gun. I'd STILL think about another mold.

[725]

311041 is a dandy. Many out there are just fine. The key to success is shot placement, no matter what boolit you throw at 'em. Consider how, at whatever angle you may be looking at your game, you are going to drive the boolit through the vitals. Shot placement changes with the turn of the critter. Always imagine the boolit going through where the heart will be, or where both lungs will be ventilated. Have a good time.

[Junior1942]

If that RCBS 30-180-FN will chamber in your rifle, it's the best hunting bullet for 30 caliber, IMHO. The big meplat is Death with a capital D.

[Glen]

I'm a big fan of the RCBS 30-180 FN. Haven't shot it in a .308, but it does very well in .30-30, .30-40 and .30-06.

[DaveD]

If that RCBS 30-180-FN will chamber in your rifle, it's the best hunting bullet for 30 caliber, IMHO. The big meplat is Death with a capital D.

Yes, +1

[rigmarol]

(By chance do you own a 30-30 ? lovely ctg. )

Why yes, yes I do. I nice Winchester lever. However, I'm told by the gentleman that is showing me the ropes to be prepared for 200yard plus shots. I don't think my winnie is up to that kind of accuracy (at least with me shooting it) But, with some practice...

I'm not sure why you do NOT want to get another mold! Either the 311291 (169gr/#2 alloy at 2.510LOA) or the 311041 (170 grFN/#2 alloy at 2.617" LOA) would be a dandy addition.

Oh, believe me, I am not trying to avoid buying a new mold!! I love having a great excuse to get more! And you guys are giving me plenty of excuse! Thanks.

The molds I have were bought with sil handgunning and target rifle and 30-06 in bolt as well as milsurp shooting. Like I said in the beginning, this is my first hunt so I've never shopped for a round to take game.

I really appreciate the great info you guys are giving me. I just may have to buy TWO molds

[jhalcott]

3 of us were shooting the 311291 at 150 yards today. We could keep 3 of them in 4" with no problem. I'm positive a bit of tinkering and this load will do even better. This was thru a Remington 30-06.

[cbrick]

Rig,

I've got 9 30 caliber moulds and while my 308 shoots most of them pretty well the accuracy king is the RCBS 180 gr SPGC. With up to 19.0 gr 4759 @ 1900 fps (tested so far) it surprises me every time I shoot it. WW+ 3% tin and no HT @ 11 BHN, no leading and 2" to 2 1/2 inch 150 meter groups. This is still a mild load and no doubt could be bumped up.

The only down side I could think of for this bullet would be the .125" meplat which is 40%. I've not shot a deer with it so I'm unsure about the effectiveness of this meplat, perhaps Glen or other experienced cast hunters will offer some advice about this.

Rick

[Duckiller]

Where are you going hunting? Don't want to bring up unpleasant subject but a lot of So. Cal. is "CONDOR COUNTRY" and requires lead free projectiles. Just spent over $140.00 for 150 Barnes bullets in three different calibers so my sons and I can go hunting locally.

[rigmarol]

Rig,

I've got 9 30 caliber moulds and while my 308 shoots most of them pretty well the accuracy king is the RCBS 180 gr SPGC. With up to 19.0 gr 4759 @ 1900 fps (tested so far) it surprises me every time I shoot it. WW+ 3% tin and no HT @ 11 BHN, no leading and 2" to 2 1/2 inch 150 meter groups. This is still a mild load and no doubt could be bumped up.

The only down side I could think of for this bullet would be the .125" meplat which is 40%. I've not shot a deer with it so I'm unsure about the effectiveness of this meplat, perhaps Glen or other experienced cast hunters will offer some advice about this.

Rick

Thanks Rick, I'll be sure to add that one to my "shopping list" with some of the others.

[rigmarol]

Where are you going hunting? Don't want to bring up unpleasant subject but a lot of So. Cal. is "CONDOR COUNTRY" and requires lead free projectiles. Just spent over $140.00 for 150 Barnes bullets in three different calibers so my sons and I can go hunting locally.

I've been invited by an online friend to go on my very first hunt in Washington the north east area I believe.

I don't know anyone around my area that was willing to show me the ropes from the ground up and this guys was. It's a ways to go but I'll take it when offered.

He's taken me through the right equipment, steered me clear of the "newbee" gear everyone wants to sell me, what kind of boots, clothes, jackets etc to get. I have nothing but rifles and excitement. We're going to spend M-F a whole 5 days going after mulies. I've even convinced him to let me (on the unlikely event I actually bag one) try field dressing it while he sits and watches and sideline coaches me through the process.

I may come away with a lot of "glassing" experience but I'm sure I'll have a great time regardless.

I don't know if lead is a problem in that area of the country, I'm assuming it's not but you bringing it up makes me think I should at least check on it.

I've been practicing with Sierras MatchKings and when I'm out of them, I'll probably switch to either cast or Sierra Gamekings.

Again, gentlemen, thanks for the helpful info, it's appreciated.