Plain base boolits for the 30-30, 30-40, 303, and '06?

[fatelvis]

As of now I have all GC molds for 30 cal., about 10 in all. I am thinking of adding a couple PB molds for lower velocity loads and plinkers. My questions are:
#1) Is it worth it to get a PB lightweight mold (110-130grn boolit), as velocities would push the fouling velocity envelope too easily?
#2) What velocity and alloy do you feel is optimum for mild PB boolit shooting?
As always, Thanks Guys-

[Larry Gibson]

I shoot thousands of TL314-90-SWC or the Hornady factory equivalent (90 gr SWC swaged lead .32 bullets) over 2.7 gr Bullseye in the 30-30 and 3.2 gr Bullseye in my .303 and '06s along with the 7.65 Argentines. Don't have a 30-40 but the should do as well in that. I size them at .311 for .30 cals and .314 for .31 cals. I find optimum accuracy in the 800 - 1050 fps range. More fun than we should be allowed to have.......

Larry Gibson

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

When I ordered a NOE group buy mold for my 6.5 x 257 Jap custom, I ordered a 2 cavity where one is GC and the other is PB. It's .269" 145gr. I push the PB up to 1500fps with Unique using a 94-3-3 alloy with no problems...but I do notice an pretty good accuracy loss when I compare them to the GC boolits which I load to 1800fps with RL7.

[94Doug]

Look for some of Ben's shooting reports with the 311241 150grain. It'll work in your 30-30 too. There is talk of a group buy with both the 150 and 125 grain version.

Doug

[fatelvis]

I shoot thousands of TL314-90-SWC or the Hornady factory equivalent (90 gr SWC swaged lead .32 bullets) over 2.7 gr Bullseye in the 30-30 and 3.2 gr Bullseye in my .303 and '06s along with the 7.65 Argentines. Don't have a 30-40 but the should do as well in that. I size them at .311 for .30 cals and .314 for .31 cals. I find optimum accuracy in the 800 - 1050 fps range. More fun than we should be allowed to have.......

Larry Gibson
Do you use any filler with that load Larry?

[fatelvis]

Look for some of Ben's shooting reports with the 311241 150grain. It'll work in your 30-30 too. There is talk of a group buy with both the 150 and 125 grain version.

Doug
I did a search using 311241 and did not find the shooting reports. Could you point me in the right direction? Thanks-

[longbow]

I have the Mihec 316410 (130 gr. HP) mould in PB, a home made smooth sided clone of the Ness Safety Bullet (150 gr. HP) in PB and a few heavier smooth sided home made moulds (up to 225 grs.) I knurl for tumble lube ~ all PB.

I generally load all over 18 to 22 grs. of IMR4227 depending on weight and get very satisfactory results in my .303 Lee Enfields. I do use COW+graphite filler though.

Not going to claim benchrest competition accuracy or velocities challenging "J" bullets or even gas checks but they work well enough for me and are quicker, easier and cheaper to load than gas check boolits.

I have not chronographed any yet so would have to look at loading manual velocities to get an estimate of what sort of velocity they are producing but accuracy is good and no leading.

I am very partial to the 316410 in my .303's and it certainly blows up water jugs nicely. Definitely adequate plinking accuracy with astounding terminal performance.

Longbow

[94Doug]

Here's one:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?110863-Plain-based-30-cal

Doug

[Catshooter]

I've used the Lyman 3118 (311008) over five grains of Red Dot in my 30-30s. Zero recoil, quiet, and an inch or less at 50.

Nice.


Cat

[45-70 Chevroner]

I have two molds for 30 cal in plain base. They are both two cavity Lyman molds one is 110 gr RN and the other is a two cavity Lyman 130 pointed boolit. The 130 was (I believe) designed for the 30 carbine. Using light loads of Unique and Bullseye they are a hoot to shoot. I am using them in my Winchester 94 and a 14" TC. I size the boolits to just enough to get the lube in the grooves. They would probably work as is with Lee's Liquid tumble lube. So far they have shot very well with any light load of those two Powders I mentioned. I only single load the 130 in the Winchester though.

[USSR]

I have the PB NOE 311-247 mould that I will be using in .30-06 to develop a deer load with. Targeted velocity will be 1400-1500fps. What with the SD of a 247gr bullet in .30 caliber, I don't figure I have to drive them very fast at all. Alloy is 95/3/2 (Pb/Sn/Sb).

Don

[quilbilly]

A little while ago I bought the Lyman 30 cal. 130 gr plain base mold from Midsouth. It shoots great in my 30/30 with a Trail Boss load that gets it to 1200 fps. It will be a regular for my shooting from now on.

[Greg]

fatelvis-


I shoot a few plain base loads…


30-30 in a 22" H&R

7½ grains Unique, WLP primer, 3118 in 50:50 (BHN 8) alloy, 120 grains at 1480 fps. 2.375"oal
It will penetrate 3+ milk jugs of water at 50 yards.

8 grains Herco, WLP primer, 311290 plain based mould in 50:50 (BHN 8) alloy, 210 grains, 2.810" oal

2½ grains Red Dot, WLP primer, 311241 in 20:1 alloy, 105 grains at 2.395" oal,
This is an old mould that was altered into a small game bullet, this load just about duplicates the 32 rimfire - load / speed


30-40 in a 22" 1898 Krag sporter

10.0 grains Herco; 311290 / reamed to PB - cast of air cooled WW, 208 grains lubed, sized .311. Super Speed brass, CCI 200 primers - 3.075" oal, 1380 fps.

[detox]

The RCBS 150gr Cowboy bullet is a good shooter. Cast with linotype mine measure .311, sprue cuts are smooth with no raised cuts. I lube with SPG in Lubramatic .311 sizer.

Red Dot, Trail Boss , Tin Star are good bulky powders that will fill case.
http://members.shaw.ca/cronhelm/TheLoad.html