In need of some advice on 30 cal casting

[PlainsHunter]

I have a 99 Savage in 30-30 and a Springfield 30-40 Krag. Both slugged out to .310. I'd like to find a RN or SP cast round with a gas check, but haven't been able to find anything in .310-.311. It would be nice to find a round that would work in both rifles, but this isn't absolutely necessary.

So here come's the questions:

1) Since they slugged out at .310, the cast round should be .311 correct?
2) Anyone know where I could buy some GC rounds appropriate for those 2?
3) Anyone have any thoughts on a mould or 2 if I decide to cast my own (I'm just getting started there, having been casting for 45-70)?

Thanks.

[PhantomF4E]

If you lean towards casting your own . Go no further than the Lyman 311291 170gn. Perfectly sweet in a 30-30 . I have made some wonderful loads for the 30-06 and the .308 . Check the size of a freshly dropped bullet , depending on the mould it may drop perfectly , or do a search on beagling . This bullet flies quite well without a gas check at lower velocities as well. I loaded my '06 down to 30-30 level velocity and have a really sweet short range Florida deer / hog round .
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/mould-details-rifles.php?entryID=47

[longbow]

While I can't say I have a lot of experience here, I have found the Lyman 31141 170 gr. RNFP GC to shoot very well from both mine and a friend's .308's.

It was originally designed for .30-30 use in tube magazines as I understand it and it has a lot of supporters for use in a variety of .30 cal. guns.

Mine casts at approx. 0.311" depending on alloy.

Just another option.

Longbow

[PlainsHunter]

Thanks for the options guys. longbow, I'd like to stay away from an FP bullet as both rifles have a bit of an issue feeding them. the need either plain round nose or pointy/spire points.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

In the 30-30 department, Lyman's 311291 and 311041 have good reputations for functioning and accuracy. They are around 170 grains and work well with a number of powders. I have found 291 to work the best for me with 3031...25-30 grains....27 giving me the best grouping in 2 94's. burn clean, no leading...cast from straight WW metal. They cast at 311 and I size them to 310. Some rifles such as the Krag have bores that are a bit larger and probably would do better with .311 dia. bullets. If you want to monkey around with increasing bullet diameter in cast you can start with WW and add up to 2% tin which usually increases cast diameter and you can get an increase of .001 or more out of the mold. Beagling is a second way of doing that. Different bullet diameters in any given gun will give different results, but you have to get into the experimentation game which takes patience. Look up the "TerraCorp" formula for information. Generally round noses will feed as well as pointy bullets, but pointies are a no-no in tubular magazines. You don't have to stick with Lyman as other mold makers such as Lee, Redding and Saeco all make designs that work as well in 30 cal. Also independent brands have made good molds too.
Check them all out out before committing. LLS

[PlainsHunter]

Thanks soup. Neither of these rifles are tube mags, which is why I was thinking of SP's. I'll look into those molds.

[rmatchell]

I also agree its hard to pass over the 311291. You could al so look at lee molds as well, the 150gr has worked well for me.

[Blammer]

Gator checks work well.

Get them at Blammersboard.com

[Mk42gunner]

The Lee 312-185 that they advertise for the .303 British works well for most .30-.31 cal barrels. Mine drops a smidge over 0.312" with ACWW. I lube and install the gas check in a .313" die then run it through a Lee .311".

An inexpensive mold that works well on targets for me.

Robert

[longbow]

PlainsHunter:

The rifle I have used the 31141 in is a Mauser 98 in .308 Win and my friend's gun is a Savage 99 in .308. Neither had any problems feeding the 31141. It has a small meplat.

In fact think of the 311299 with a small flat.

Certainly there are other options but I doubt the 31141 would have feeding problems in your guns. I have even loaded them up for my .303 Lee Enfield's after Beagling the mould. No feeding issues but poor accuracy there.

Just saying it is a good boolit design with a good reputation for accuracy and hunting performance.

Best to get first hand opinions though and go with what is known to work for sure. Alternately you can buy a few of several commercially cast boolit designs to try s before investing in a mould.

I am sure you will get lots of input here as well.

Longbow

[PlainsHunter]

Thanks again guys, lots to consider

[grouch]

Plainshunter, I agree with the crowd that for .311291 is a good all 'round bullet. A short coming that hasn't been mentioned is that the Krag needs an overall length carefully tailored to the magazine to function as it should. The bullets under discussion would tend to be on the short side for that. Bullets long enough(311284, 311299, 311365 etc.) can be too long for some 30 30 actions, '99 savages for instance. If function isn't an issue, all good advise, and you could consider Lee's 312155 and 312160 designs for 7.62x39.
Grouch

[PlainsHunter]

Thanks grouch

[Seabee1960]

RCBS 30-180-FN is a terrific bullet. I like it with IMR 4198 or AA2230 (29 grains). I have shot thousands through my various Krags and never had a feeding problem. 103180

[mdi]

The Lee 312-185 that they advertise for the .303 British works well for most .30-.31 cal barrels. Mine drops a smidge over 0.312" with ACWW. I lube and install the gas check in a .313" die then run it through a Lee .311".

An inexpensive mold that works well on targets for me.

Robert
Yep, I was thinking along the same lines. I have the same mold and my alloy drops at about .312" and I've sized this bullet to .309" for my 30-30 (single shot). and leave it at .312" for my Mosin Nagant. I use standard 30 cal gaschecks...

[PlainsHunter]

I appreciate all the suggestions. However, I purchased a new caliper today and remeasured things. My old one was acting flaky. Those slugged measured out to .308 - .3085. So, I should probably get something in .309 range, yes? I do have a .309 sizer, so I think it's time to break that out and give it a try.

[mdi]

The Lee 312-185 that they advertise for the .303 British works well for most .30-.31 cal barrels. Mine drops a smidge over 0.312" with ACWW. I lube and install the gas check in a .313" die then run it through a Lee .311".

An inexpensive mold that works well on targets for me.

Robert
I use the same mold, 312-185 Lee, in my 30-30 single shot, 303 British, and 7.72x54r and soon I'll try it in my M1 Garand. I just size as per the rifle they will be used in (30-30, .310", 303, .312", and 7.62 gets about .312"-.313" as cast...).

[rintinglen]

You'll probably do better with .310 or .311 boolits. Most guns like their boolits a thousandth or two on the large size. I have 5 30-30's who get fed .310 boolits only because one has a tight neck and .311 boolits make things a little too snug. (My 30-40 gets the same, most of the time as does my 30-06.) YMMV, but not much.

[detox]

Casting with linotype my new Lyman 314299 measures .3125 at bands and .3027 at bore ride section. Hornaday Gas check snaps on without shaving. I size and crimp gas check in Lee .311 sizer. Casting with #2 alloy this same bullets measures .3115 at bands and .3022 at nose ride section. This 314299 shoots best from my Remington 700 VS with it's large factory chamber and rough hammer forged barrel.

I also have a RCBS 180 SP mould that measures .309 at bands and .3025 at bore ride section cast with linotype. This smaller diameter bullet shoots pretty good also.