good bullet mold for subsonic .308 loads?

[1858rem]

so i liked the idea of using a light pistol powder load and a cast bullet for plinking loads at about 10 cents a pop. what would be a good bullet mold to use? i like the lee molds and have no problem with gas check molds, but i probably wont gas check them. what is a good weight between 150 and 250 grains at about 1000 fps?

 

[freakshow10mm]

Match your twist. The 12 inch twist will handle about a 180-190. The heavies like used in the Whisper at 220-240gr require a 10 inch twist to stabilize.

 

[~z]

Dang, beat me to it
~z

 

[1858rem]

i wasnt sure really, shooting at about 1500fps less than normal might have adverse effects on rate of twist required is what i was thinking.

 

[USSR]

i wasnt sure really, shooting at about 1500fps less than normal might have adverse effects on rate of twist required is what i was thinking.

And, you are exactly right, 1858rem. If you reduce the velocity to the degree that you are talking about, then you need a faster twist than you do when driving the same weight bullet at high velocity.

Don

 

[Jim Watson]

I belive that J.D. Jones supplies a real .300 Whisper with an 8" twist for 240 grain boattails at 1050 fps.

Lyman shows loads for 170 grain cast bullets down to 1100 fps in .30-30 with 12" twist, I think that is where I would start.

 

[Grump]

Not sure this speed thing is a valid argument. Lower velocity = lower drag on the meplat = less force applied towards tumbling the bullet. Sorta compensates for the lower rotational speed.

IIRC, some cylindrical wadcutters in .38 Special would tumble if fired too FAST in .357s...

Anyway, for greater economy, trend away from the heavier .30-caliber bullets now favored by the lead crowd. There's one that fell out of favor in the 1970s or so (can't remember if it's by Lyman or ....???) because NRA tests showed it has a tendency to slump at the nose and give poor accuracy above about 1400 fps.

It throws about 165 grains with reasonable alloys, is made for a gas check (not really needed at subsonic), and it's POINTY, a slightly shorter-radius ogive than the Sierra 110-gr HP that's not really made for the .30 Carbine.

Whoever makes/made it, it's the joint that uses the 311XXX numbering system, with the first three the approximate diameter the bullets will go if cast with pure lead. Or something like that.

 

[freakshow10mm]

Ok, take some 220gr SMKs and load them to 1000fps and shoot them in your 12 inch twist barrel. Shoot them at 25y, 50y, and 100y. Note the keyholing. That means the bullet isn't stabilized. What's the remedy? Increase velocity (speed is a stabilizer) or increase twist rate (more spin is a stabilizer).

 

[fecmech]

If you are looking for an inexpensive plain base bullet for plinking this will fill the bill. No gas check needed and would work just fine in the 1000-1500fps range. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduc...urce=froogle&utm_medium=free&utm_campaign=685