Reloading Cast Bullets for 30-30

Fall Guy

Fall Guy

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OK I have a Marlin 336C in 30-30. I want to shoot it more, hence looking for more econimical and easier to shoot loads. (yeah I know the 30-30 is pretty soft already) I would like to make as few trips as possible to the shooting supply stores.

I have the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook - Third Edition I am using as reference.

My questions:
  • Lead bullets vs regular copper jacketed. The prices are getting very close, is it worth it even?
  • What size bullet should I use? I have read where up to .003 over bore is OK. I have also read to start at .309 and work up in .001 increments. What are the consequences of using a bullet that is a couple of thou over?
  • Where/who has this kind of supply of good lead bullets? ( I am in the GTA)
  • Should the barrel be slugged? Any suggestions on how to do this?
  • I assume that gas check is the only way to go, correct?
  • I am interested in 110 to 120 for plinking and 150/170's for bear protection during my nature walks in the bush. (just kidding, lets start another bear protection thread! :D )

Anybody have any good recipes?

I know that I need to keep an eye on velocity and leading.
I will be picking up a shooting Chrony. :D
 
You can use most jacketted loads under cast in the 30-30, as long as you don't get too caried away with slow powders.
You can also use full power loads, (in 150 and 170 grain bullet loads) as long as you use a gas check, and hard bullets. Straight wheel wights, quenched in water suits my '94 Winchester rifle just fine. If you have micro groove rifling, you may have issues with leading, but, I understand that they can be resolved with a bit of experimentation.
Cast bullets made yourself, assuming the lead is free, cost SFA. Not even close to jacketted rounds.
 
I had thought about using cast also, but instead picked up a bunch of cheap jacketed bullets, and started using 4759 with the 110g bullets. I think the load is about 19g and travels at 2100 fps.
 
I like the 311041 boolit by Lyman. Works great in my 30-30 Win. 34 gr H4831 worked well out to 100 yards under this boolit.

A good plinking load I found was 10 gr Unique. Very soft shooter but good out to 50 yards.

Take Care
 
Fall Guy

I'll try to answer each of your questions as I was faced with the same decision.

Lead bullets vs regular copper jacketed. The prices are getting very close, is it worth it even?

I cast my own. I use the 311041 mold from Lyman. These molds sell on Ebay for around $40.US. I cast pistol so I didn't need to spend additional funds to get into casting. The 311041 bullet is a GC desdesign. Works great and has taken it's share of deer.

What size bullet should I use? I have read where up to .003 over bore is OK. I have also read to start at .309 and work up in .001 increments. What are the consequences of using a bullet that is a couple of thou over?

Most I have read and go by suggest sizing 1/1000 over bore size. You have some leeway here and slugging your barrel or having a 'smith do it is the way to go. A couple of thou over won't hurt. I use wheelweights as an alloy.


Where/who has this kind of supply of good lead bullets? ( I am in the GTA)

Can't answer that one. Check with guys at Peterborugh Gun Club. Somebody there should know. Personally if you are going to go cast I would jump in and cast my own. Great hobby that extends your shooting experience.

Should the barrel be slugged? Any suggestions on how to do this?

Yes. but can be a pain in the butt. I would have a 'smith do it.


I assume that gas check is the only way to go, correct?I

Yes & no. GC bullets I think perfrom well from my experience using the 30-30 but I am sure some would go non-GC. LEss leading with GC and you can use a softer alloy.


am interested in 110 to 120 for plinking and 150/170's for bear protection during my nature walks in the bush. (just kidding, lets start another bear protection thread! )

Stick to 150 grainers for plinking and whatever. I shoot my 311041 bullets with 10 gr Unique which is pretty light and perfect for plinking but really I have have found by using lead the recoil is so relatively soft that my regular loads cost little more and are just as much fun to shoot. To each his own. Just remember in the 30-30 you should only use flat nosed bullets which if you cast your own pretty much limits you to the 311041 design. Lee makes a similar mold for this bullet and their molds are cheaper to buy.

Take Care

Bob
 
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code, size, type, cal, style, weight, per 50, per 150
FMB-028 .30 Game Ranger .308 FP 150 $9.59 $23.99

N/A
FMB-029 .30 Game Ranger .308 FP 168 $9.59 $23.99

N/A
FMB-030 .30 Game Ranger .308 FP 185 $9.99 $25.49

N/A

These are incredibly hard - punch though really tough stuff... not for hunting deer but great for target practice and dangerous things with thick skin.

good. cheap. no leading. and penetrate like.

fun
 
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bullet barn in b.c. sells a couple , i use thier 303 gas check bullet 180 grs, looks like the lyman g.c.f.p.comes with a gas check on i size it to .310 7 grs unique works good 1200 fps, havent tried to speed it up, no reason why you cant wade
 
By their design lead bullets don't build up pressure as much as jacketed so up to .003 over bore is o.k.....for a 30/30 I would use .310 to start with...Lyman's 31041 is the standard cast bullet for the 30/30.
 
I mostly agree with what canuck44 told you. I've had good luck with a load from7 - 10gr unique, bullets from 150 - 185gr. If money is an issue,for sure cast your own - it's easy, can be fun, gets you better bullets than you can buy. Also, there's not much you can do with a 30-30 that can't be done with cast bullets - you can get very close to full power with a much wider choice of bullets. Molds are available in any weight and configuration your heart desires.Try Redding(Saeco), Lyman, Lee, RCBS, and I especially like Cast Bullet Engineering just for a few. Don't get bogged down with expensive gear. You can melt lead on a hot plate in a small 2nd hand stainless cooking pot, use lee sizer in your press, canadian tire moly grease for lube. If you have really technical questions, try the Cast Bullet Association website.

Hope some of this helps.

Grouch
 
I use the lyman 311284 as cast from wheel weights. No sizing, it measures .312 and just fits nicely into the neck of fired brass. Just lube them and go.

A 210 gr bullet and enough 3031 to get 1400 fps is accurate and plenty for most big game at 150 yds or less.

Ted
 
Why not: I'm glad you included that you only load 1 in the mag. as alot of readers are new to cast bullets and reloading as well, and someone might order up 311284 mould and find out it is not meant for the 30/30 or use these bullets to fill their tubular mags....311299 and 311332 shot great too but they can turn a lever gun into an over and under pretty quick!!
 
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