How well does steel-cased .308 run in bolt actions (Indian Enfield)?

[Tangero]

I've got an Ishapore 2A1 (converted to carbine length by Gibbs) that I bought from melensdad and I was looking to procure a large quantity of steel .308 (either Wolf or Brown Bear, probably from Lucky Gunner). Seeing as it's not exactly a high-rate-of-fire rifle, I don't think the dirtiness of steel will be as much of an issue as with using steel in my AR.

Anyway, this may just be an unnecessary concern, but I don't want to buy ammo for my weapon that would be unwise of me to use. Thoughts?

 

[rhino]

Wolf .308 150gr FMJ is all that I feed to my Ruger M77 Mk II Compact. No problems with function and it's plenty accurate enough for that rifle at the ranges where I do (and might) use it.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

I've used Colt (Barnaul) steel cased in all my 308 bolt actions. It's good to go.

 

[bmbutch]

Wolf .308 is easier to cycle the bolt on my Savage.

 

[Thor]

Not SAAMI

According to this month's American Rifleman, pg36-37, steel case ammo is not SAAMI certified and as such not recommended for use by most American Manufacturers.

So I guess it's up to you. Id recommend getting some to try before heavily investing in it. My Mauser doesn't like it but my PTR91 doesn't care. As always YMMV.

 

[BogWalker]

If the Ishapore 2As kept the loose chamber tolerances of the original SMLEs then you won't have a problem. I've never tried it, but I'd imagine there should be enough leverage with a bolt action to provide for proper extraction.

 

[Tangero]

Thanks for the help, folks. I'm probably going to just do 100 or so rounds from AIM Surplus ($45 for .308 nowadays is still a steal) and if it doesn't work, I'll be sure to pawn the remaining rounds off to someone else

 

[Notalentbum]

I tried some Tula in my Savage model 11. Every case got stuck in the chamber. I shot 5 rounds. The first four I was able to knock out with a clearing rod at the range. The fifth round was really stuck. I bummed a piece of 9/32 drill rod from work and had to hammer it out of the chamber. The group I shot was very good FWIW. I got a box and a half left. Won't be going in my Savage.
I have had great luck with the Tula .223 in my AR.

Matt

 

[whoknows]

I know my guns different, but my Savage model 11vt does not like the herters steel cased ammo. I had the same problems as Notalentbum, but every gun is different.

 

[Shadow8088]

Oddly enough, I came across this video earlier today while doing my own research (I have a Ishapore 2A1 on layaway and can't wait to shoot it)

7.62 X 51 Nato or .308 Win. Are they the same ? - YouTube

and this..

Shooting .308 Through A 7.62 NATO Rifle - YouTube

 

[Cerberus]

Those videos are not exactly on target. some info is right some not so right. In a nutshell; if your rifle is chambered for the .308 Win, it can handle the much lower pressure 7.62 NATO. The brass between military and commercial is externally the same.

If you have a military chambered rifle, hold out for the M80 overruns sold at many venders. If you wish to keep cost down, reload military brass. In a bolt gun it should last half past forever.

 

[Iroquois]

I had one of these Ishtapore .308s, the chamber was so sloppy my old reloads suffered head seperations. Had to drop a bunch of cash in it and convert it to 6.5 Swede...OK I didn't have to.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

I'm setting up, but between the Ishi 7, the PTR91s, and the berdan NATO 7.62, I don't figure to reload much of that. I have some proper .308 and an M1A and a Mossberg 100 to generate reloadable brass and take the reloads. That Enfield bolt, though, man...

 

[whiskeytangofoxtrot]

You'll be good to go in that Ishy, I use wolf in mine. Not seen any issues.

 

[Firingpinhead]

A long time ago I had a Spanish Mauser re-barreled to .308...I bought some surplus 7.62 and had a bunch of problems getting the case out of the bore. I thought the rifle was messed up until I tried some .308,it worked just fine.

 

[Iroquois]

Just remember that the receiver on the SALE will stretch every time you shoot it. (Has to do with the rear mounted bolt lug. ) Reloading might not be the best proposition. Cheap military rounds are probably your best bet. Otherwise you'll be trimming brass a lot and it will have a short loading life.