Cheap 30-30 bullets

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digitalblue

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GTA unfortunately
Anyone have any suggestions for a cheap jacketed or plated bullet for 30-30 in the 150-170gr range?
These are going into a tube mag so FP or SP bullets are a must, I'll be pushing them 1500fps and faster so cast bullets aren't an option.

I'm aware that Berry's MFG makes a .30 150gr FP plated bullet, but their production is intermittent so I'd rather not rely on them.
 
Why aren't cast an option if your velocity is so low? The key to good cast bullet performance is a bullet with a gas check, that's lubed with a high quality bullet lubricant, then you can raise you velocity to 2000 fps without leading.
 
Jethunter (here on cgn) makes good gas checked cast bullets, that can ususlly be driven up to 2000 or over without leading. Prices are good.
 
I'm looking to load stuff as close to factory velocities as possible, However, I'm willing to make exceptions(plated bullets) if the bullets are cheap enough.

Technically speaking, cast is an option but, I've found it requires quite a bit more of trial & error to work well.
 
A 30-30 is an example of a caliber tailor made for cast bullets. 1500 is just an idle. If you want quick success try water quenched gas checked 150s sized .001 over. .309 if you don't want to measure. About 14 grains of 4759 will get your speed.
 
I shoot full on cast loads out of my 30-30 regularly, 160 gr gas checked, sized .309 and tumble lubed, no problems with leading. If you have trail boss or h4895 you can do some reduced loads with the same recoil as a 22 mag. Cheapest jacketed I've found as of late are Sierra 150 flat nose from cabelas. Can't remember the price but they must have been cheap for me to buy em.
 
I'm no stranger to cast bullets, been casting and shooting plenty in my handguns and a select few rifles.

I've come to find that CB in rifles require quite a bit more experimentation than an equivalent jacketed bullet to get the accuracy, velocity you want.

Cleaning up the lube residue(especially through a 94) isn't terribly fun either.
 
I shoot air cooled clip on wheel weight cast Lyman 311041 lubed and checked @ .311" over Hodgdon LeverEvolution powder through my Win 94 all the time at 2200fps + with no problems. Lube is my homemade "Speed Green" and I have no trouble with lube in the action. Very accurate and zero leading. Works so well I've never loaded any of the Ranch Dog bullets I've cast for it.
 
I've put a few hundred Lyman 311041's through my 94. Accuracy comparable to jacketed bullets. Estimated velocity probably around 1800 fps. WW bullets water dropped and sized 309. Powders used included R7, 4759, 2400 and 4198.
Never a problem with leading or lube build up. I can see LEE liquid alox causing a concern. I tried it year's ago and it would build up in seater die
 
digitalblue said:
I'm no stranger to cast bullets, been casting and shooting plenty in my handguns and a select few rifles.

I've come to find that CB in rifles require quite a bit more experimentation than an equivalent jacketed bullet to get the accuracy, velocity you want.

Cleaning up the lube residue(especially through a 94) isn't terribly fun either.
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I will agree with your findings. I gave up on cast bullets for the 30-30 Winchester.
I also found that larger bore calibres were very easy to work with. With the 44 magnum Marlin rifle, cast are just a natural. I could completely interchange 240 grain cast, even flat base with no gas check, with various brands of 240 grain jacketed, with no detected difference in accuracy and no lead in the barrel.
Same with the 45-70, cast bullets work great and will interchange with the same weight jacketed.
 
I just got some 165g cast from the bullet barn for my 30-30. With IMR 4198 I am around the 1600fps mark.

Slug your bore. To find your true measurement. My marlin was tight on .309" so I went with cast sized 309"

I haven't sat down and shot groups yet as its a 50yrd plinking round. But hitting pop cans at 50yrds is easy.

Oh and at under 20grains per load. You get a lot out of a lb of powder
 
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