Favorite 308Win Cast Bullet loads

beltfed/arnie,

I recommend you go right to page 149 of the newest Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th Edition. Lyman lists loads for your Lyman  #311291 170 gr RNGC. The 170 gr is the best match to standard twist .308 Win. and this bullet has a long bearing area with a short nose that is not a bore rider and doesn't need to be with the long bearing area. You will have maximum accuracy potential when your bullet fit shows ink smeared on chambering on the exposed driving bands. Most modern .308s need .311" diameter bullets to pass the ink fit test.

Lyman recommends AA5744 for best accuracy because the START level to 2,000 fps has the lowest pressure of the recommended powders and 2,000 fps is usually where accuracy is best. Lyman also recommends BHN 15 Lyman #2 alloy for the load level. The load reads:

2.510" OAL recommended by Lyman, However, seating to a .010" engagement of the ogive to the ball seat taper will further enhance starting stability if that fits your magazine.

START AA5744 19.0 gr 1615 fps @ 18,100 psi  MAXIMUM 31.0 gr 2356 psi @ 51,600 psi

Charge reduction software predicts 25.3 gr AA5744 for 2,000 fps with your #311291 in .308 Win. I'd go right there with a test fit checked bullet and expect under 1" @ 50 yards the first 5 shots with a decent rifle.

If you plan hunting with the bullet, consider the inexpensive Forster Large hollow pointing tool bit in a drill press on loaded ammo, it does an excellent job and increases killing power of the round nose by starting expansion on impact very well with #2 alloy that doesn't fragment due to the malleability of #2 with 5% Tin. If you can maintain hunting accuracy to 2150 fps that equals 30-30 load level with humane harvest of Deer to 150 yards.

Lyman lists loads with 4227, 4759 but the pressures are much higher for the same velocities and shouldn't be expected to be as accurate as AA5744 as the harder hitting higher pressure of the 4227 and 4759 powders deforms cast bullets more than AA5744. The AA5744 is also a lot more popular and available.

Gary