30-30 .. Probably been asked

[wookness]

a hundred times .. What would you consider to be a good all round 30-30 cast boolit load for use in a Marlin 336SC [micro groove] w/Lyman 56 rear sight? Load would be used for deer sized game up to no more than 135 yards and plinking of the metalic kind up to perhaps 150 yards. Not wishing to be beyond practical, just a good pleasant and generally accurate load. I've shot plenty of factory 30-30's, all either 150 or 170 gr. jacketed. Would like to start the cast process with a known good performing commercially cast boolit. Buy some of those first and shoot them, inclusive of some game, then go to the process of learning to do it all myself with wheel weight metal cast bullets. Loading time is presently limited, have good pot, ladel, Lubrisizer etc. on hand, but no specific molds purchased for the project , yet. Could use a starting point from the experienced. Accuracy should be good and when I say 'good' I am speaking of bullet performance on game as well as accuracy though I realize some compromise may be necessary. What say you?

Any ideas, thoughts &/or suggestions, much appreciated.

I am also interested in a good metallic silhouette load that can be put together using commercially available cast bullets first and any suggestions for a suitable mold if it differs greatly from the recommended game mould in style &/or weight.

Thanks, Gentlemen! If I knew where to start, I wouldn't be asking.

[6pt-sika]

I used to think that Marlin micro grooved barrels were not for cast bullets .

But then Ranch Dog helped me see the light !

I shoot cast in micro barrels in 30-30 , 356 WIN , 375 WIN , 444 Marlin and 45-70 ! And I'm sure I left something out of that list .

As far as the 30-30 for a cast bullet is concerned , my number one bullet at the moment is the Ranch Dog 165 grain GC mould . I also however like the Lyman 31141 in FP and HP variations . The elcheapo Lee mould in 150 and 170 grain FP GC is good . The RCBS 150 and 180 grain FP GC are also good . I have also used the Saeco 150 grain FP GC . Recently I acquired a copy of the old Lyman 311440 that seems to be doing rather well . And "357 Maximum" had a group buy for a 150 grain GC mould that works great also .

The great thing about the Ranch Dog 165 , the Lyman 31140 remake and the 357MAX 150 grainer are that they are all in Lee 6 cavity moulds and you can run a pile of them out QUICK !!!!!!!

I've killed deer with the Lyman 31141 and the Lee 170 grainer . Used the Ranch Dog 165 for lever silhouette in both ballard rifled and micro grooved rifles this past year . May very well use the 357MAX bullet in the Lever silhouette matches next year as well .

In case there is a little confusion , "357 MAX" came up with a 150 grain FP GC 30 caliber mould for the 30-30 and any other 30 cal you would want a 150 grain bullet for . Said this just in case someone thought I was talking about a 35 caliber 150 grain bulet [smilie=1:

[Poohgyrr]

Here is a link to a recent group buy of ranch Dog's mold:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=19468&highlight=ranch+dog+molds


His molds aren't expected until Spring, but they are custom made. I'd ask him if I could still get one ordered, and then go ahead and look around for more info on molds.

[MT Gianni]

The lee 150 is a killer for whitetail up to 150 yards or more. I believe any flat point bullet from 150 to the RCBS180 rnfp would kill when started at 1600 fps. It has so many answers that it is almost impossible to say this is the sole answer. Gianni

[C A Plater]

For the commercial cast stuff I like LeadHeads (http://www.proshootpro.com/) products. He has a couple of nice .30-30 offerings, a 149 GC and a 180 PB sized .310" that are good for MG barrels. That will get you started loading and shooting cast until you get your gear.

[corvette8n]

I ordered a RD 6 banger, while I am waiting I use the Lee 150fngc which I use for plinking only in 30-30. I also have a canfull I saved out to load in .308, 300 Savage, 30.06 Garand, 30.06 1903 Springfield etc. for a combo of plinking and full house loads. I might have to wait until I retire to develop those loads as I am kept busy with the .32ws .30-30s, .45 colt, 45-70 currently.

[Glen]

I like the 311041 in my Marlin .30-30s. Generally sized .311" and loaded over 26.0 grains of H335 for about 2000 fps.

[NickSS]

Glens load is almost identical to my favorite load which is the Lyman 31141 and 27 gr of H 335 for just over 2000 fps. I have done in two deer and one wild pig with this load. It shoots good out to 200 yards which is as far as I have shot it at targets. Of course I had to raise my sight a bit on my Marlin to get it to center.

[wookness]

Thanks, Gentlemen, for your advice, I'll start with the 150's & H-335

I also received a PM with the most generous and kind offer imaginable, a 'paid forward' offer to try some of another member's boolits out that he was casting for a similar rifle to mine. The gentleman wouldn't EVEN consider me paying him, not even for the postage, he just sent them! They look great, 150gr. GCFP's. That said all that ever needs saying about the calibre of folks here. Hope that I can befriend another at some point with as kind an offer myself.

[crowbeaner]

I used the RCBS 30-180-FP in my 30/30. I used WW748 at the max. charge in the RCBS cast bullet manual #1. IIRC it was 34.0 gr. I shot 2 deer with it and pass through on both. Neither one made it 50 yards from impact. It shot right on the open sights, and made 1 ragged hole at 50 yards. CB.

[jh45gun]

My load is a Ideal 311407 and 17 grains of 2400.

[JSH]

I have had good luck with AA2520 using FLGC load data. 25.0 if memeory serves me correct. I think the 2520 burn rate is close to 335.
Jeff

[twotrees]

and IMR 3031 powder. Loaded to full condum vel's they shoot fine. I have loaded some low kick loads for a young hunter with the same boolit and 21 gr= of 4895 (Surplus powder). With a small tuft of pillow dacron they shoot as well as I can hold iron sights, any more.

30-30 is a good cal and would serve me in 90% of my big game hunting, but I just love my Marlin 45-70 with cast, of course.

Good Shooting,

Twotrees

BTW: With all the fine lubes we have here on this board, I hate to admit it but I find the NRA black Graphite lube just fine for hi'vel loads.
(Flame proof suit on)