looking for a 30-30 cast bullet

[GoodOlBoy]

Looking to find a 135-155 grain gas checked cast bullet for a 30-30. I am getting my stuff together to start loading my 30-30 empties (I am staggered by how many empty brass I have at the house for this caliber) and I am wanting to build a utility load/plinking load for around the house using trail boss.

I know that trail boss gives you a slow/light load out of a 30-30 case, but I figure it would be just fine if I can find a company casting 135-155 grain gas checked bullets. a 135-140 grain GC cast HP would probably be the bees knees with this powder combination, but I sure would like to test it to find out, at this point I am looking for pretty much ANY cast bullet in that range (hp, FN, etc)

Any help is appreciated.

GoodOlBoy

[Jack]

GOB, Beartooth Bullets makes a 140 flat nose gas check bullet.

[Adam Helmer]

GOB,

My favorite .30/30 cast load is the 175 grain flat point Lyman #31141 ahead of 28 grains of IMR3031. It shoots to the same point of aim as the 150 Jacketed FP and 29 grains of 3031.

Adam

[GoodOlBoy]

Adam, I have some good warmer loads for the 30-30, I am really looking to create a very light reduced recoil, but still effective load for it so that my wife, and or my grandmother can shoot it if I am not home and there is a problem again (read coyotes killing chickens).

jack that beartooth looks pretty darned snazzy, and if I can't find a HP I like that may be the ticket. In point of fact if that darned beartooth was a HP I would have already placed the order. Thanks for reminding me of them, I had completely forgotten about their company.

GoodOlBoy

[skeet]

This ain't a cast bullet load but it sure do shoot good for me out of my ol Savage 340. I use a 100 or 110 gr gr plinker type bullet and load 8 or 9 gr of Unique behind it. It doesn't kick..shoots pretty flat to about 80-90 yds and with the lead bullet tip you don't need a hollow point. Rocky has covered that load a few times I think..or one real close to it. It has been the load we keep in the mag for that ol Savage 340..mainly so momma can shoot her cat eating coyotes;):D I also have a Darr 170 gr flat point 311 cast bullet with GC that I shoot out of the old 94 rifle I have(1905). Lent it to my friend and neighbor and he kilt him a deer with it bout 150 yds from the house. Have to check but think he used one of the 5744 loads I made up. Not fast but works just fine. I think it was just about 20 grains of the AA5744 that I used..just about 1800 ft per second. I don't want to push that ol rifle too awful much..bore is a little rough but seems to shoot ok. Probably about 28,000 on the pressure. Used that powder cause I have lots of it and it works really good with lead bullets

[GoodOlBoy]

Yeah I had thought about maybe trying a few loads of that 115gr FN cast bullet from beartooth as well. Only issue I have is it aint a gas checked bullet, but then again at the speeds I will be shooting using trail boss I don't know that it will have to be.

I know I don't NEED a HP, but I always wanted to try a decent one out of a 30-30. Probably won't bother since it is as hard to get ahold of as it is.

GoodOlBoy

[skeet]

why Trail Boss ? I know you are into CBA etc..but much better powders for your uses..cheaper too















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[GoodOlBoy]

Trail boss isn't all that high around here, it fills a case nicely and I am interested in a powder that will give my cast bullet utility loads for 45 colt, 30-30, and 45-70 from one powder. I know they will all be pretty light loads, but honestly right now thats what I am looking for. My heavy loads in 45 colt use unique, and I could always load the 45-70 with black, but with Trail boss I can do a nice mild load for all three.

Plus this is my first time back in reloading for awhile, I have alot of distractions around, and with the bulk for trail boss there is almost no way to double charge a case, and even if you did manage it it won't blow the cartridge. One of hodgdons suggested ways to get a good load on trail boss is to fill a case completely, weigh it, and load it with 70-90% of case capacity.

GoodOlBoy

[GoodOlBoy]

Unique (which I use for my 45) comes out to about $1 per ounce, Trail BOss comes out to around $1.50 per ounce. Not real bad, but I can see now why you said it was expensive Skeet.

Still think I might try some of it, At any rate I do want a light utility load for my 30-30, and I would like it to be with a bulky powder to start until I get used to doing everything right.

GoodOlBoy

[cordell]

Hello GOB,
I have a 311466 153gnRNGC (153gn depending on lead mix) that does well in the 30-30. If you have a sizer or access to one I would be more than happy to lend you the mould. If you take these and run them through the sizer "tip up" it will flatten the rounded tip just enough to eliminate the scare of primer detonation and does nothing to the accuracy (100yds or less). I am attaching a post I "borrowed" from Cast Boolets for your consideration. Take care and God bless....cordell

Well after I got some other projects out of the way I finnaly tried the 311466 in the 30-30 today. Gas checked & lubed with 50/50 final weight came in at 159grns. I sized to .311 and added gaschecks with Lee push through (base first to flatten the nose). loaded in Win brass with Win LRP over aa5744. 5 each starting at 15grns to 20grns in 1grn increments. My 1965 model Win 94 put all 5 touching at 17grns (50yrds). So I think I will load 100 or so at 17grns, Low report & little recoil. All charges were under 1.5" at 50yrds offhand. I didn't get the crony out because it never quit snowing today. I just love chasin brass in the snow. Thanks for the input, Josh

[GoodOlBoy]

I appreciate it cordell, but I am really looking for somthing lighter (and I hate borrowing tools from folks just a personal quirk)

I am going to hit up the saxet gun show in Conroe Texas in April to see what I can find, in the mean time I am going to see about grabbing an order of the 140grers from Beartooth next week.

GoodOlBoy

[Rocky Raab]

Cast bullets can be quirky. Great once you find the trick your gun wants, but not so good before that.

My Unique/Plinker load solves that. You get jacketed ease and dramatic expansion (the core is pure lead). Load either 10 Unique or enough Trail Boss to reach the shoulder.

And you don't have to buy and ship 500 bullets that might not work out well ...

[GoodOlBoy]

Is there a formula for guestimating fps? Just to get an idea if I want to try a non GC bullet or not.

Example Lets say load data says 160 grain cast bullet runs 1195 out of the muzzle, is there any way to guess around what speed a 115 grain would run on the same charge? The reason I am asking is because I need a rough estimate to decide if it is work trying, or stick with a GC bullet. If the 115 is going to be runnin above 1500fps it isn't real hard on the hardness scale and doesn't have a GC so I would be concerened with leading.

Just a curiosity question.

GoodOlBoy

[PJgunner]

GOB. If I understand what you're looking for, one of the light loads I use, actually it's great plinker or gallery load is one of several bullets I cast weighing anywhere from 100 gr. to 120, maybe 125 gr. over a charge of Unique. Fine grains will give you right around 1100 FPS give or take a few depending on bullet weight and they are reasonably accurate. Depending on the rifle, you may have to shoot as a single shot, or maybe not. Most Winchesters based on the m94 action will balk at most of those bullets because the cartridge will be a bit too short. With careful seating, the 120 gr. bullet usually will feed. On the other hand, I've had no trouble with feeding in two Marlin 336's.
I think I might have a Lee mold that makes a 150 gr. flat nose bullet but as I have close to 100 molds, I'd have to go look. I notice that someone said they had a Lyman #31141 also known as #311041 but I have 2 of those molds plus a clone from NEI and I have gotten that bullet to shoot worth a damn, At leasst in any of my 30 caliber rifles. The 2 bullets I like best ae the Lyman #311291 (175 gr.) and the RCBS #30-180-FN (190 gr.) Both can be loaded to any level you want up to full power factory. The Lyman has taken 15 deer so far for me and the RCBS 2 deer. Metal was just plain old cleaned wheel weights.
I dunno how much experience you have with cast bullets so if I over simplify things, I apologize. Some peole feel it's not necessary on 30-30 brass but I strongly suggest getting a Lyman "M" die to properly bell the necks, just as you would do with handgun ammo. Save you the problem of crushing a neck or two. RCBS makes something simiar but I do not like the skimpy threaded rod they have the expander button mounted on. Too easy to get it bent and out of line. It hasn't happened but I worry about it.
Time precludes me saying more as dinner is on the table and the wife is getting antsy.
Paul B.

[Larryjk]

GoodOlBoy, Google up PENN Bullets, Leadhead Bullets, and Oregon Trail Bullets. They have some nice bullets for the 30-30 that should fill your need. I know that Leadhead and Penn don't require more than 100 for testing.

[res45]

GoodOlBoy, If you have your heart set on shooting a cast bullet this may not be an option for you,but Berry's makes a 150 gr. FN plated bullet for the 30-30. You can use equivalent lead bullet data for loading,the main thing is to keep the velocity no higher than 1700 fps. and use a light crimp so as not to cut through the plating.

I've used there 9mm bullets in my Ruger BH 357/9mm convertible only because most cast 9mm bullet are to small in dia. to stabilize in the Ruger's bore the plated work great.

http://www.berrysmfg.com/product.aspx?i=14671&c=34&pp=8&sb=0&p=0

[GoodOlBoy]

Larry I have looked at all of those except Penn, I will take a look at them.

Thanks guys for all the input.

GoodOlBoy