Author Topic: Anyone cast 30-30 bullets (Read 1250 times)

Daman · « **on:** February 23, 2010, 03:06:24 AM »

Guys

I have a bunch of the old silvertips that I hunt with, but those are a thing of the past unless you guys know something I don't. I want a cheap way to plink and shoot crows and stuff with my Topper. It has become my truck gun and I really hate to shoot up my deer loads for my Winchester just blasting the random critter. I am also going to try some pointed bullets for it. I have never shot a pointed bullet in a 30-30 so what do y'all recommend.

Now do I need anything besides the normal 150 grain core lokts - no - besides I could get by with 110's around here. I also have a full pack of 150 RN if I can find them to try (I think 100). I know someone will probably say get another caliber to plink cheaply, but I have other calibers (many) and just want advice on the 30-30.

Edited 9:20 AM

Thanks guys
Daman

Macphoto · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2010, 03:17:05 AM »

Sure we do! Just cast 'em up using wheel weights and a gas check. I would avoid the spitzer type and lean toward round nose for the longer bearing surface. Lots of molds available in the 150-170 gr range. I usually run them to .309 and at around 1600 fps. Just be sure to clean the barrel with a good copper solvent before you try lead bullets, otherwise, you will get lots of leading from the residual copper fouling. Have fun!

Daman · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2010, 03:27:30 AM »

I need to give this one thorough cleaning anyway so I will definitely take your advice. This gun has never been cleaned with a rod or bore snake, just lots of bullets. (It is 35 years old) Why do you say stay away from spitzer bullets? I ain't knocking you, just info gathering. I have had amazing luck with plain old RN bullets in it so I guess why rock the boat anyway.

What molds do you use? I have never casted anything but split shot for sinkers as a kid.

Daman

jedman · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2010, 03:43:45 AM »

Why would you shoot a Otter

Never new they were legal game anywhere except for trapping. Jed

Reverend Recoil · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2010, 03:55:03 AM »

147 fmj bullets are cheap and shoot reasonably well in 30-30. Make sure they don't find their way in a tubular magazine leaver rifle. My favorite is 110 gr. 30 cal carbine bullets.

Macphoto · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2010, 04:01:47 AM »

I was referring to spitzer type cast bullets to stay away from, not jacketed. Pointy cast bullets just don't work for me. Others may have different opinions

Jeffery8mm · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2010, 04:06:17 AM »

I use a Lee C309-170F Mold for 30-30. Twin to the lyman 311041. GREAT 30-30 bullet.
Cast from straight WW, I use 8gr of Unique for a good plinking/practice round. IMR4064 make a good hunting round. I can push em to about 1850 fps with no leading.
Jeff

Dances with Geoducks · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2010, 04:08:33 AM »

My cast 150gr FN boolits go up to 2200fps, and I can get a bit more out of them if I wish, but they tend to become unstable.
Even if you use wheel weight lead and gas checks, you can get 1600fps which is plenty to kill just about anything you would normally with a 30-30. If you really want to have fun try 30gr of black powder. Clean up in a Marlin isn't fun. So I use the Winnie 94 only for BP loads.

I hunt with FTX 160s, the 150-170gr cast are good cheap fodder.

You can get a Lee 170gr FN mold & sizer for under $40 bucks.

Daman · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2010, 04:22:20 AM »

I changed my original post. I run into them on occasion trapping. It was one of them that popped in my mind as a possible shot as I was thinking of gun use.

Thanks guys I will try those molds. There is a guy I know that does tires and mechanic work so I should have no trouble getting wheel weight.

Daman

Sweetwater · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2010, 05:36:09 AM »

Now this is funny to me

1) my Christian name is Jeffrey

2) my go to rifle is my 8x57 Persian Carbine

3) I have both the Lee and the Lyman molds referred to. My Lyman mold works easier. Either bullet works fine.

Some days it doesn't take much to entertain me

Daman · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2010, 05:45:43 AM »

Quote from: Jeffery8mm on February 23, 2010, 04:06:17 AM

I use a Lee C309-170F Mold for 30-30. Twin to the lyman 311041. GREAT 30-30 bullet.
Cast from straight WW, I use 8gr of Unique for a good plinking/practice round. IMR4064 make a good hunting round. I can push em to about 1850 fps with no leading.
Jeff

Does the 170F on the Lee indicate the grain weight of the bullet?

Daman

PawPaw · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2010, 05:47:22 AM »

The .30-30 is a great cast bullet caliber and lots of companies make cast bullets for it. I use the Lyman 311041 over 27.5 grains of IMR 4895 as a standard cast bullet load. It gives me about 1850 fps out of my Winchester 94 with no problems and good accuracy.

I've also loaded 115 grain cast 32-20 bullets over light charges of Blue Dot and Unique with good success.

I'm waiting till March to start looking for a .30-30 Handi so that I can try Speer 125 spitzers in it.

The .30-30 is very cast-bullet-friendly and lots of companies make molds or cast bullets for it.

Daman · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2010, 05:52:12 AM »

Will I need to buy a different die set for the lead cast bullets. I have the Lee set of 4 for the 30-30 now.

Daman

Sweetwater · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2010, 05:56:01 AM »

Does the 170F on the Lee indicate the grain weight of the bullet?

Daman

Yes and the F has flat point written all over it. Any medium to quick rifle powder will send them downrange respectable like. I used to load some for a friend of mine's open sighted 94Winchester in Green River, Wy - He came back and wanted more to hunt with. He had used them all up on the 500m gong

Will I need to buy a different die set for the lead cast bullets. I have the Lee set of 4 for the 30-30 now.

Daman

No. Dies are caliber specific. Yours are fine.

Daman · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2010, 06:05:55 AM »

Thanks. Correct me if I am wrong, but you have to lube cast bullets.

Daman

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2010, 08:53:30 AM »

Daman,
The website that Dennis shows at the bottom of his posts has a lot of good stuff on it about shooting cast from .30-30's. It even shows you how to start from scratch. www.castbullet.com

I ordered 1,000 Lazercast .30 bullets from Cabelas a few years ago and I'm still working my way through them. You might try buying some first to see if you're going to like them.

jlchucker · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2010, 09:09:34 AM »

Quote from: Macphoto on February 23, 2010, 03:17:05 AM

Sure we do! Just cast 'em up using wheel weights and a gas check. I would avoid the spitzer type and lean toward round nose for the longer bearing surface. Lots of molds available in the 150-170 gr range. I usually run them to .309 and at around 1600 fps. Just be sure to clean the barrel with a good copper solvent before you try lead bullets, otherwise, you will get lots of leading from the residual copper fouling. Have fun!

Amen to that. Start with a clean barrel. Don't let anybody kid you that 1600 fps is a weakling with cast bullets, either. Those penetrate far better than what the gunrag writers of today would have you believe.

OldBob · « **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2010, 09:52:32 AM »

Daman, here http://castboolits.gunloads.com/ is a webbsite that will tell you anything you want to know about cast "boolits", great bunch of guys and a ton of help and info.. My 30-30 likes a Lyman 311291 and also the Lee previously mentioned, I often use Lee's Alox lube which requires no special equipment and works very well for me. If you like to experiment and enjoy shooting you will probably really enjoy casting bullets, I cast for nearly every rifle and pistol I own and I enjoy making them as much as I do shooting them.

OBXPilgrim · « **Reply #18 on:** February 23, 2010, 12:44:05 PM »

+1 on oldbob's suggested website.

I don't know that I'd avoid the spitzers, Lee has a 150 & 160gr that was designed for the 7.62x39, that would probably work great in the 30-30 Handi. If you don't have a level 30-30 around, I'd do it, if there's a chance of getting mixed up and one in a tube mag gun, forget it. The tumble lube design of that bullet (#90361 MOLD_DC_CTL312-160-2R) makes it a little easier to lube using the Alox lube & with a push through die, should be plenty cheap & easy enough. I would not use that bullet for hunting - it will punch a hole straight through.

The Lyman 311041 would be my first choice for hunting. I load my 30-06 with it for deer hunting, loaded to just 1800fps - works just fine.

BTW, no one else mentioned it, but you'll need to expand the case mouth on the 30-30 case to keep from shaving lead when seating. If you have a 32 (ACP, S&W/Long, Mag, etc) pistol die set, you can use the case mouth expanding die in it. I use a 303 British sizing die - just push the neck over the expander ball and then out (don't run it all the way in) to leave the neck expanded a little more - you don't need as much neck tension as a jacked bullet, and it may help you accuracy.

PawPaw · « **Reply #19 on:** February 23, 2010, 01:15:39 PM »

Quote from: Daman on February 23, 2010, 06:05:55 AM

Thanks. Correct me if I am wrong, but you have to lube cast bullets.

Daman

Yes, you have to lube cast bullets. If you're driving them over 1500 fps, you need to add a gas check. Most rifle bullets designed to go over 1500 fps come designed for gas checks.

I'd second the motion that before you invest in a lot of casting equipment you might want to buy some first and see if you'd like them. I didn't see any suitable bullets at MidSouth, but over at Midway, they list a 170 grain, flat point, gas checked bullet for a little over $22.00/100. This looks a lot like the Lyman 311041 I use, or the C309-170F that Lee makes. This bullet looks like it comes ready to load. You might find other vendors who offer similar bullets. Do a little googling and you'll find multiple vendors.

Also, the guys over at the Cast Boolit forum have lots of information on cast bullet loads and vendors. As do the guys over at the Cast Bullet Association website.

In addition, I help run a little website called The Frugal Outdoorsman where we talk a lot about cast bullets. Any of the above sites are full of information for folks wanting to learn about lead bullets.

Cast bullet folks are very friendly and always willing to help spread the knowledge. The more I lean about cast bullets, the more I realize I have a lot more to learn. It's a very satisfying hobby.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** February 23, 2010, 01:22:35 PM »

There are numerous cast bullet sources listed in the sticky in the Cast Bullet forum here.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php?action=collapse;c=6;sa=expand#6

Dee · « **Reply #21 on:** February 23, 2010, 01:41:22 PM »

I shoot a 170 grain cast round nose. I swag a gas check on it when I lube it. With 37 grains of W748 I can get 2350fps out of it. Been shootin this particular bullet for about 33 years. It's a bone buster in the biggest of hogs if that's what you want, or an elk for that matter. The bullet is a real penetrator.
I mostly however, shoot a 150 grain jacketed soft point at 2400fps.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #22 on:** February 23, 2010, 07:51:09 PM »

You will also find there are two schools of thought on how to drive cast bullets.
One is that they need to be held under 2000fps and even as slow as 1600fps for prevention of leading and enhanced accuracy.
The other is to make the bullet work for you. Both are valid reasoning.
I'll attach a picture of 4 shots from a cold barrel on my 356W BB94. I placed the 45acp case on the target after the firing for orientation purposes. Bullet is 250gr FPGC at 2020fps es=11 sd=5.7, powder is H4895extreme. The only shot not in the ragged hole was the 1st shot. It's an inch high. Range was 50yards w/4x scope. Not included in the picture, but also fired was a session of 200gr FPGC at over 2400fps es=20 sd=10.1 - no leading. Barrel stayed shiny clean after 35 rounds. As did my 8x57, having fired 40 rounds with 182gr RNGC moly-coated (from Bear Creek Bullets) at velocities from 2350fps to 2540fps (es=22fps sd=7.8fps)

Dee · « **Reply #23 on:** February 24, 2010, 01:58:00 AM »

That's the key Sweetwater. I'm loading my 170 grain cast bullet, to the same velocity as my 150 grain jacketed bullet but, with no leading. The gas check is the key, and although it takes a little more time in the bullet making process, it pays in spades in the barrel and in performance.

Daman · « **Reply #24 on:** February 24, 2010, 02:16:31 AM »

Thanks guys. Oh and Tim and Graybeard, thanks for not moving this post. I just feel like it's family when you guys give me answers here on the Handi Forum. The main reason for posting it here is that the bullets will be shot out of a Topper 158 30-30.

Here is what I have come up with guys. Now I am a LEE reloading man and that is all I buy. I will get the LEE melting pot (Pro 4-20), the LEE 309-170F mold, LEE lube, three powders IMR 4895 IMR 4064 and Unique, and a pack of primers.

I understand you guys saying buy some and try them, but I have not shot anything that I didn't like, and besides we all know that I could use another hobby. Man the wife's gonna kill me!!!!

Daman

Jeffery8mm · « **Reply #25 on:** February 24, 2010, 04:11:22 AM »

Quote from: Sweetwater on February 23, 2010, 05:36:09 AM

Now this is funny to me

1) my Christian name is Jeffrey

2) my go to rifle is my 8x57 Persian Carbine

3) I have both the Lee and the Lyman molds referred to. My Lyman mold works easier. Either bullet works fine.

Some days it doesn't take much to entertain me

Strange stuff there!!!
I had a C&R liscence at one time and bought several 8mm rifles.
I live in the Liberty comminity, but I am a member of the Sweetwater Swimming Pool Assn.
Strange indeed.
Jeff

gcrank1 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 24, 2010, 04:24:56 AM »

While you are at it, get the LEE #90301 in a dbl cav mould (311-100-2R from the 32/20 selection). Make up 32/20 equiv. loads for varmints & plinkin' and you have the long heavies for more serious work.
BTW, with the 32/20 type loads you may not even have to size the cases. The as cast bullets lubes with LEE liquid ALOX may fit the fully fire-formed necks just fine. Lighter loads with the heavies may work this way too.
With any lead bullets, if you have resized the cases and the neck is too small to get the bullet started in, just take a small needle-nosed pliers with the rounded back side to the jaws, and rotate it in the neck with a little pressure to give a gentle flare. Go careful there until you get the feel of it.

wreckhog · « **Reply #27 on:** February 24, 2010, 04:49:23 AM »

If you buy a Lee universal expander die, try it on ONE case first. It expands a lot if you don't watch out.

Jeffery8mm · « **Reply #28 on:** February 24, 2010, 05:06:29 AM »

Quote from: wreckhog on February 24, 2010, 04:49:23 AM

If you buy a Lee universal expander die, try it on ONE case first. It expands a lot if you don't watch out.

VERY true. specially on pistol cases. Ask me how I know!!!!
Jeff

gcrank1 · « **Reply #29 on:** February 24, 2010, 06:28:58 AM »

The nice thing about the Lee Universal Ex. Die is that it can be the die body for 'custom' turned expander plugs to get you the perfect fit. It is quite easy to make these up on even a small metal lathe and drop them into the body in place of the flaring plug. Spacers of different lengths will give you the reach within that you need for short to long cases.
It can also be used as the universal body for neck sizing dies. These are made the same but with the hole drilled / bored / chamfered / polished to your needs.