308 Marlin Express loads - Help

[Millamber457]

I have just had the pleasure of getting my greedy lil hands on a 308 Marlin Express, since ammo is scarce, sorry not paying what they want for a box,.
Is it possible any decent cast loads for it ? I have some 150 grain cast for a thuddy- thuddy.
Can my fellow shooters and reloaders help?

 

[FROGO207]

What are your barrel twist and length. What propellants do you have on hand already. This will help us to narrow down what will work well. The Lyman cast bullet handbook will have several 308 loads.

 

[Millamber457]

Ah, i can tell you it's a marlin 336 in 308 marlin express. Twist rate and length of barrel is unknown yet ! I have some rl-17 , some imr 4064 and some 4227 on hand and a few pistol powders.

 

[AJC1]

https://shootersreference.com/reloadingdata/308-marlin-express/

 

[Millamber457]

I thank you for the link , but it doesn't help me with cast bullets.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I’ve used both the Lee 150gr FNGC and 170gr FNGC IN MINE.
MOSTLY, I use the Hornady 160gr FTX over a stiff charge of LVR or CFE223. It actually runs the 160gr FTX faster than my .308 REM 700 Tactical runs a 165or 168gr BTSPT. (20”bbl).

Any .30/30 cast bullet load will be a good start load for the.308ME. I’d suggest #2400 for mid-range cast loads. The .308ME has Ballard style rifling so a .309” to .311” bullet will work.

 

[AJC1]

I’ve used both the Lee 150gr FNGC and 170gr FNGC IN MINE.
MOSTLY, I use the Hornady 160gr FTX over a stiff charge of LVR or CFE223. It actually runs the 160gr FTX faster than my .308 REM 700 Tactical runs a 165or 168gr BTSPT. (20”bbl).

Any .30/30 cast bullet load will be a good start load for the.308ME. I’d suggest #2400 for mid-range cast loads. The .308ME has Ballard style rifling so a .309” to .311” bullet will work.

Why not just use the jacketed start load from the huge list I provided for the actual cartridge....

 

[Millamber457]

Thank you All so far , i will use some jackted , but since i already cast for 30 -30 it's a whole lot cheaper

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I think AJC1 meant for you to use the Jacketed start data for your lead bullet loads. Not use jacketed bullets.

 

[Millamber457]

oops my bad , but how low do i drop the powder charges for a starting load ? It is my first time with so little information , all my reloading manuals , nothing is listed .

 

[AJC1]

oops my bad , but how low do i drop the powder charges for a starting load ? It is my first time with so little information , all my reloading manuals , nothing is listed .

Start at start. It may be the middle ground for cast but at least your not just guessing. If your using rifle powder only go up. If your using pistol powder like 4227, or 2400 you can reduce till it fails to shoot.

 

[Millamber457]

Well thank you Very much I do appreciate your help!

 

[GooseGestapo]

IMO, you won’t see good results with most of the “full power” powders in the .308ME with cast bullets. A mid range load of #2400, #4759 (discontinued) or #5744 will shoot well.

2,000+2,200 is tops for most cast. The .308ME is only a tad behind the .308win, and above the .300Savage in velocity potential.
Even a start load of LVR or CFE223 is going to be too much for cast accuracy.
Likely, H4895 or H322, IMR8208, Imr3031 using the Lee formula for reducing a load will work.
But no guarantees...
The other 3 powders are proven performers.

 

[AJC1]

IMO, you won’t see good results with most of the “full power” powders in the .308ME with cast bullets. A mid range load of #2400, #4759 (discontinued) or #5744 will shoot well.

2,000+2,200 is tops for most cast. The .308ME is only a tad behind the .308win, and above the .300Savage in velocity potential.
Even a start load of LVR or CFE223 is going to be too much for cast accuracy.
Likely, H4895 or H322, IMR8208, Imr3031 using the Lee formula for reducing a load will work.
But no guarantees...
The other 3 powders are proven performers.

4227, #9, or 2400 would be my first picks somewhere in the mid 20s for a load.

 

[Millamber457]

will Quick Loads do the same for me and if so where can i download it from ? or better yet share the lee formula if possible . I only use manuals for my reloading and none of the ones I have give me even a place to start . Heck thhey don't even list the cartridge

 

[AJC1]

Grt is a free program and quickloads is about 200 dollars. Both are easily googled.

 

[Bfh_auto]

will Quick Loads do the same for me and if so where can i download it from ? or better yet share the lee formula if possible . I only use manuals for my reloading and none of the ones I have give me even a place to start . Heck thhey don't even list the cartridge

My manuals don't list it either. You are going to be forced to extrapolate.
Hogdon reloading website at least has pressure tested data to start from.
Compare the charge difference between jacketed and cast in other 30 caliber rifles. Figure out the percentage difference and plug that into a formula that you make.
The cool thing about cast is your jacketed data is higher pressure than the cast bullet can handle.
I've had the best accurate velocity load for cast in similar capacity cartridges using IMR4227. Best accuracy was from powders in the Unique burn rate or faster.
This is can be a dangerous game. Do at your own risk.