LEE C309-170-F 30 or C309-150-F 30 Caliber mould?

[Huntsman1]

Looking at casting some boolits for my 30-30`s (Marlin & Win 94) for hunting and plinking but primarily hunting. Apparantly there is`nt much difference between the two weights except the lighter one shoots flatter......or is there a BIG difference? Powder I have on hand is IMR 3031, Win 748 and Varget.
Gas checks will be used too. I should also add that this will be used for whitetail & mule deer.
So, 150 or 170gr boolits?
Thanks in advance 

[Nobade]

Really doesn't make much difference. The heavier one is probably going to be easier to find a accurate load, with a wider window. Check the nose diameter of your bullet in the muzzle of your rifle. It needs to be a firm push fit and engrave lightly. If not it'll likely not shoot all that great. Those Lee moulds are known for small bore ride noses, and Marlins for large bores. You might want to check out Ranch Dog molds. He has a very superior design to either of those Lee ones, and they're on Lee blocks so are cheap to buy.  

[NickSS]

I have used the lee 170 gr bullet for many years and find it a good one.  My 94 Winchester likes it sized to 311.  I generally shoot tow different loads with it.  Either 10 gr of Unique or 18 gr of IMR 4198.  Both will turn in groups of under 2MOA at 200 yards.  I use the 4198 load for lever action silhouettes at my club and the last match I scored a 29 out of 40 which won my class.

[Huntsman1]

Have any of you dropped anything with any of these, game that is.

[454Puma]

Huntsman1
 I have both them molds, shooting them out of my 30-30 and '06. I will say the 170 gr seem to shoot the most accurate out of both the 30-30 and '06 with 1" or less at 100 yards! The 150gr give good groups but not great  2" in 30-30 at 100 yards  and I get maybe 1.5-2" at 100 yard in the '06! I run them at around 1950-75 fps in both guns!  I haven't dropped anything with them yet but I'll start with yotes this spring and work on deer this coming fall!

[Huntsman1]

454Puma, what powder are you using for the 170gr CB? And were they gas checked?
Cheers 

[jhalcott]

MOST people would say "use the heaviest one for the caliber". BUT I say use the most ACCURATE one for the gun! I prefer the 311041 over the 311291 because of the flat nose. it also shoots a bit better in my 30-06. 135 and 150 shoot better in MY 30-30 Contender due to it's slow twist.