Inherited a Remington 700 308x1.5 Need Reloading Help

[clickclickboom]

Hello. I am a newbie here and am an avid hunter and also do a fair amount of shotshell and rifle reloading for general hunting and sporting purposes. I inherited a Remington 700 Benchrest gun in 308x1.5 caliber from my wife's late Grandfather. He was a machinist for Florence Machine Tool and Die in MA and built a few custom guns. The reason I am reaching out is because I only received some notes he made and am interested in reloading some ammo so I can shoot the rifle. The gun says ".311 Cast Bullet Gun" written on masking tape on the stock. Im wondering if I could shoot plated bullets or if it can only shoot cast bullets? Also if I can shoot plated bullets what is the best way to determine the proper bullet diameter? If I were to cast bullets what would be the best option to go that route? I have standard 308 150-165 grain plated bullets but thought I would ask the experts before getting started. Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[ReedG]

Nice historic piece. The .308x1.5 is the forerunner of the .30BR and depending on your chamber may be the same. I've never had any experience with cast lead bullets in benchrest but, hopefully, some of the old-timers on here will come to your assistance.

 

[clickclickboom]

Nice historic piece. The .308x1.5 is the forerunner of the .30BR and depending on your chamber may be the same. I've never had any experience with cast lead bullets in benchrest but, hopefully, some of the old-timers on here will come to your assistance.

Thanks yeah I found that from my research that its the precursor for the .30BR It looks like maybe the only major difference is the shoulder angle but im not totally sure. Im hoping there are some resident experts who know more.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You get dies and brass? Check that bore diameter

 

[Doom]

You need to find out what the barrel actully is. It should be marked as to bore diameter or caliber, depending if its a factory barrel. You may have to remove the stock to see the markings on a custom barrel.

The .311 marking on the tape may only be a reference to the preferred cast bullet diameter for the barrel.

As for 308x1.5 caliber, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/.308×1.5-inch_Barnes.

 

[WayneShaw]

What Dusty said, chances are the chamber is not the same as a current 30BR. Pushing a 308 case down that far, then reaming the brass, then fireforming, is a real chore. If you have brass and dies you can shoot cast bullets for ever on a barrel and brass, there just isn't the pressures as today's stuff.

The .311" is odd though.

 

[clickclickboom]

Thanks for the info I will pull the stock off and see what I find. Its doesnt appear to be a factory barrel he built the gun himself. Is slugging the barrel the best way to find the bore diameter?

 

[clickclickboom]

You need to find out what the barrel actully is. It should be marked as to bore diameter or caliber, depending if its a factory barrel. You may have to remove the stock to see the markings on a custom barrel.

The .311 marking on the tape may only be a reference to the preferred cast bullet diameter for the barrel.

As for 308x1.5 caliber, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/.308×1.5-inch_Barnes.

Thanks I have been doing some research on this and other sites too. Ill pull the action when I get home and check. I think your right about the .311 marking.

 

[Pawnee Bill]

Do a chamber cast with Cerrosafe and know fo sure what you have.

 

[Bill K]

Do a chamber cast and you will know what the chamber is, and you can also use some too make a bore cast, then you will know the bore diameter also.

 

[rockrat]

A lot of people run a few thousandths over groove dia. with cast bullets. Thats normal. It is probably that the gun did the best with .311" bullets. Thats what I am running in my '06 and 308win at the moment, except for my O3A3 which I use .313". Fit a cast bullet to the throat, not the groove dia. of the bbl.

The plated bullets might have a speed limitation on them, check that out.

If you need a set of dies, I think I have a set

 

[clickclickboom]

Thanks for the input I ordered up some cerrosafe and will slug the barrel and chamber and see where it comes out. Is there any reason I couldnt run plated bullets depending on how it mics out? Is there such a thing as a barrel that can only shoot cast or is that just what he was shooting?

 

[Bill K]

plain cast or plated, i.e. Berry's and others, will work.

 

[457ciSBC]

308 x 1.5 Barnes???

 

[clickclickboom]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I ordered up some Cerrosafe and will check things out and let you know what I find. This is a great group loaded with useful knowledge, looking forward to getting things figured out and load up some rounds.