What is everybodys pet bullet/mold for Garand .06 and 308? Is there one 30 cal bullet accurate in both rifles? Also have 303 brit, Krag. Not new to casting , just new to casting for rifles. I have read Ed Harris's research but that data 20 yrs old. Must be newer bullets out there. Thanks for the help.
Pet .06 & 7.62x51 bullets/ molds
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CZ93X62
Official forum enigma
I won't be much help, having never loaded 308 with castings and all of my '06s have been bolters.
That said, early-on Lymans #311291 and #311041 did yeoman work for me into the 1800-1900 FPS ZIP Code. More recently, the Lee C309-200-SP and SAECO #301 have been my go-to bullets. Both stay accurate to 2000 FPS cast of 92/6/2 alloy.
That said, early-on Lymans #311291 and #311041 did yeoman work for me into the 1800-1900 FPS ZIP Code. More recently, the Lee C309-200-SP and SAECO #301 have been my go-to bullets. Both stay accurate to 2000 FPS cast of 92/6/2 alloy.
Reloader762
Active Member
The C312- 155 or the 160 gr. are both good in the SKS & AK, I have them both, and they're a great shooter in those two particular rifles. As to the 30-06 I like the Lee 309-170 gr. FN, NOE .310 165-FN otherwise known as the 30 XCB. Both the above Lee .312" bullets mentioned shoot as well in the 06.
I don't have a 308, but I do have a 300 Sav. close enough for government work that will shoot any of the above-mentioned bullets with excellent accuracy. For a hunting bullet in that rifle I prefer the Arsenal 311–170 Grain RF Ranch Dog Clone gas check or plain base, of which I have a mold that will cast two of each at the same time. I suppose it would work just as well in the 308. I like Arsenal molds if they have something to my liking, as you get a good bang for your buck.
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richhodg66
Well-Known Member
Never in a Garand, but I have yet to find ne that shoots better in the '06 than the 311284.
L Ross
Well-Known Member
I have personal positive experience with the Lee 312-155-2R and the XCB out to 440 yards in two Model 700 .308s, and a .30-06 in a 03.
For 200 yard work 16.5 gr. of IMR-4227, 17.0 grains of SR-4759 in either cartridge, and to flatten the trajectory a bit for the quarter mile I like 17.0 grain of Hercules 2400 in the .308. I just don't have any Alliant 2400 so I cannot speak of it. Both will stay in a 6" disc at 440 yards but a +20 MOA rail and Burris Signature Zee rings with some positive elevation help with the arced trajectory.
Looking at the two bullets you would think the Lee would shoot flatter than the XCB but just the opposite is true.
The 311284 shoots well in every .30-06 we have tried it in, knocks the 200 yard buffalo silhouettes down with reliability, kicks harder and uses more lead. Typically my friends and I use 12.0 grain of Unique and 16.5 grains of 4227. Pushed to 1900 fps with 51.0 grains of very old 4831 it made an excellent exit wound in an adult doe despite it's lack luster meplat.
For 200 yard work 16.5 gr. of IMR-4227, 17.0 grains of SR-4759 in either cartridge, and to flatten the trajectory a bit for the quarter mile I like 17.0 grain of Hercules 2400 in the .308. I just don't have any Alliant 2400 so I cannot speak of it. Both will stay in a 6" disc at 440 yards but a +20 MOA rail and Burris Signature Zee rings with some positive elevation help with the arced trajectory.
Looking at the two bullets you would think the Lee would shoot flatter than the XCB but just the opposite is true.
The 311284 shoots well in every .30-06 we have tried it in, knocks the 200 yard buffalo silhouettes down with reliability, kicks harder and uses more lead. Typically my friends and I use 12.0 grain of Unique and 16.5 grains of 4227. Pushed to 1900 fps with 51.0 grains of very old 4831 it made an excellent exit wound in an adult doe despite it's lack luster meplat.
Bret4207
At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Can't help you on a Garand, but for '06, 308 and Krag the RCBS 30-180FN isn't a horrible choice at cast speeds. The 303 is going to want to be quite a bit fatter, and some SMLEs are humongous!
I'm sure there are more target oriented designs out there, but for hunting the flat nose works very well.
I'm sure there are more target oriented designs out there, but for hunting the flat nose works very well.
Specifically for the garand... 314299 & 4895 works the action as well. Others have tried 4831. If you don't want the action cycling, 312-155, rcbs 30-180, 311291 & others work great. For 03's & bolt 308s, all of the above work fine.
Trying to recall who on the board has more experience with garands and heavy cast to make pressure...
Trying to recall who on the board has more experience with garands and heavy cast to make pressure...
fiver
Well-Known Member
the accurate 165-A, and the noe version of the XCB bullet have pretty much stood out above all the other 30 cal molds i have in the 0-6 and 308.
for mundane rock ploppin, hunting and stuff the rcbs 30-150 fngc is about the easiest mold i have to work with [casts easy, sizes easy, and shoots good] with the rcbs 165gr. silhouette bullet being right in there with it.
for mundane rock ploppin, hunting and stuff the rcbs 30-150 fngc is about the easiest mold i have to work with [casts easy, sizes easy, and shoots good] with the rcbs 165gr. silhouette bullet being right in there with it.
This is the URL for diagrams of all Eagan molds. Eagan Molds
The XCB Bullet set several records in competition.
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waco
Springfield, Oregon
310-165-FN-H3 5 Cavity GC | NOE Bullet Moulds
noebulletmolds.com
richhodg66
Well-Known Member
But isn't there an actualcartridge called the .30 XCB?
waco
Springfield, Oregon
Yes. I think there is a very in-depth discussion about it on the other site.
waco
Springfield, Oregon
This might interest you.
.30 XCB wildcat, from scratch.
Somebody had to start this, so I'm jumping in. The .30 XCB is a joint project among several CB members, particularly Larry Gibson, Runfiverun, Btroj, and myself; Goodsteel (Tim) of MBT is the builder. What we wanted to create is a versatile wildcat with potential for extreme accuracy, high...
castboolits.gunloads.com