Favorite cast bullet for 30-30

[dubber123]

I just picked up and older Savage single shot 30-30, with a mint bore.  I only have shot a few groups,  (8 degrees, windy, and the suns too bright), but it shows alot of promise.  I bought it primarily to get into centerfire rifle casting.  A shop I go to has a few older used Lyman and RCBS molds for sale reasonable, and wondered what has worked best for you accuracy-wise?  I lean towards a fp or roundnose design, but only because I like the looks of the loaded rounds in 30-30.  Thanks.

[BCB]

I have had real good luck with the Lyman 311041 in both Model 94’s and a Contender…BCB

[jhalcott]

  what BCB said and the 311291 ! 311291 is a round nose gas check  that goes around 170 grains.  I have also used a RNGC Loverin designed bullet in both 150(311466)  and 170(311467). An RCBS 185FNGC worked well in SOME 30-30 barrels and not in others??

[dubber123]

Thanks, I wrote the #'s down, and hopefully I can get over to the shop this week.  I can't remember which molds he had exactly, but I remember a couple .30 cals.  I hope I luck out and get one of the ones you listed.  Any particular powder that stands out for cast use? I have 9 pounds of Win 748 I'd like to use up, but will buy whatever is necessay. Thanks again.

[jhalcott]

748 works pretty good in the 30-30 with MOST bullet weights. Get a lyman #3 manual if you can,but any good cast bullet manual is o k. If you aren't planning on hunting with it ,almost any bullet should work. Gas checks are not really needed at low veliocity,they are getting quite expensive lately too.

[dubber123]

Thanks, I have no real plans to hunt with it yet, I just enjoy working up loads with cast that shoot little groups, as it still astounds alot of people around here that you can make a wheelweight into that accurate of a bullet.  I've never loaded for rifles with cast, ( other than 32-20 and 45-70), so I thought I'd give a .30 cal a try.  I also picked up a very nice Smith Corona A3-03 Sprinfield last year that I may work with.

[shotgun31]

I use the 311041 and a mixture of wheel weight metal,  lead  & 50X50 solder from a receipe in the Lyman catalog that equals #2 alloy with very satisfying results in an 03-A3--for when you get to the 30-06.  I also use it in the 308 and should be great for the 30-30. 

The 311041 is a flat nose that gives a relatively clean hole in paper, and a really good smack when you shoot a varmint with it.

 I use a Lyman step die stem to open the case a little 'cause the bullets are sized to .311.  Lyman molds typically are a little oversize for the bore, and I size to .311.  I tried to size to 308 like a jacketed bullet when I started out, and destroyed the bullets trying it.  Cut lead off the bullet trying to get the 311 bullet into the regularly sized neck.  These are the little things you need to consider when casting for a 30 cal.     

26 gr 4198 is my current load, although I've used 30 grains of 3031 for one load, and 4064 powder for another--I don't have my load book with me.

The 311041 shoots very accurately in my 03A3--as well as jacked bullets or better, and I've taken this 03 along when I'm hunting woodchucks.  Good accuracy, hits out to 200 yds, although I now restrict shots to 100 because I don't get the good wollop needed for a clean kill much past 100.

I think you'll enjoy casting bullets for your 30 cal.
Ken       

[dubber123]

Thanks shotgun31, all good info to have.  I too have the habit of sizing my bullets on the fat side, I've found them to usually shoot better, with less fouling.  I'll have ot see what I can get away with in each of the guns.  I have a pound of 4198 to try also.  The very first group with the A3-03 at 50 yds. was 1/2", so I know it's got promise.  I see Timney sell a 2# adjustable trigger for 33$.  I don't want to do any permanent modifications, as this is a 90+%  condition, matching #'s gun.

[Nobade]

A bullet I've had great luck with in the 30-30, and most folks wouldn't think to try it, is the Lee C-312-155-2R designed for the SKS. Don't use it in tubular magazines, but in a Sav 219 it'd be fine. I haven't found anything to shoot as good in my Marlin as this one, single loaded of course. Over 17gr. AA5744 it's a tack driver!

[dubber123]

Thanks Nobade, as inexspensive as the Lee's are, it would be an easy one to try out.  I have had a bit of trouble with Lee's quality control, but when I got a round one, they work pretty well.  I may order one this week to give it a try.

[powderman]

I've used the LEE 170 gr flat point for years with RX7. It has proved to be  A good bullet for deer. POWDERMAN.

[dubber123]

 Powderman for under 20$ each it might be worth picking up a few different Lee's to try.  I still haven't made it to the shop to look for the Lyman molds I remembered seeing there.

[LAH]

For my personal use in a 30-30 I really like the RCBS 30-180-FN. It's a great gas check bullet............Creeker

[dubber123]

I'll have to cruise over to RCBS's site and look at that bullet.  I have a 311291 coming, but it's a round nose, and I would rather have a flat nose if i were to hunt with it.  Thanks.

[LAH]

I'll have to cruise over to RCBS's site and look at that bullet.  I have a 311291 coming, but it's a round nose, and I would rather have a flat nose if i were to hunt with it.  Thanks.

Here's a picture. It's not the only bullet by far but it's my favorite.........Creeker

[Lloyd Smale]

that rcbs shoots great in my 30s too

I'll have to cruise over to RCBS's site and look at that bullet.  I have a 311291 coming, but it's a round nose, and I would rather have a flat nose if i were to hunt with it.  Thanks.

Here's a picture. It's not the only bullet by far but it's my favorite.........Creeker

[dubber123]

Thanks for the info on that RCBS mold.  I pick up my sizer die tomorow, so maybe I'll get to try some cast by the end of the weekend.  I cast about 50 Lyman flat points out of my brothers mold, and thats all I have until my molds come in.  Thanks again.

[LAH]

That's a start.........Creeker