30-30 mold

[hickfu]

I am thinking of picking up a Marlin 30-30 tomorrow and wanted to know what a good mold is for it....

Thanks

[HangFireW8]

I'll tell you what not to use. Lyman's latest production of the classic 311041 is too narrow, with a reshaped nose that is too skinny to be of use in a MicroGroove (unless maybe used with 90/5/5 original Lyman #2, but I've used the "new" Lyman #2 formula and it came out to .3085"). If you can get an old one you might be better, but Lyman has used a lot of different cherries with different shapes over the years, so it's hit and miss.

[C. Latch]

I have a NOE 311165. Mine has the conventional lube grooves and a gas-check shank, and I love it.

I have a pile of them sitting on the bench right now, cast of 50/50+2%, coated with ESPC, gas checkes, sized to .311, waiting to be loaded.

I sort of wish I have bought the RG2 (hollow point) version of this mold, but, really, with a soft-ish alloy at 2000' or higher, I think I'll get plenty of expansion anyway.

[C A Plater]

Hard to beat the Ranch Dog design. Made specifically for Marlins and a great hunting bullet. You can get one at NOE.

[hickfu]

I do love NOE molds.... I just checked on the 311165 and it is exactly what I was looking for... Thanks guys!

[Lead Fred]

The ranch Dog mould was designed for the Marlin. It is the one to get.
and the only one I use

[jmort]

Got one - love it

[44man]

Yes, RD! But I bought the RCBS 30-150-FN and it casts the right size for my Marlin so I can size .311". It shoots very good.

[Shuz]

I have the NOE 311165 and the RCBS 3-150FN, and both shoot extremely well outta my 2 Marlin .30-30's. The NOE 311165PB and 7g of Unique @1222FPS went thru 6 inches of phone books stacked in a box placed at 90 yards from my firing line. Boolit started out at 172g from WW+1% A/C, and ended up 135g.

[GabbyM]

You'll want to measure your chamber throat and bore before you pick out a bullet.
I have the NOE copy of the RD 311 165gr RF. It cast right to the published print. Which is to have a oversize section ahead of the crimp grove. Longer than most front bands. It won't chamber in either our Marlin 336 or Win 94AE. When seated to the crimp grove. Many of the old Marlins had big oversized throats with some free bore. The 311 165 was designed to fill those. Story is clearly described on Ranch Dogs site.

[Tatume]

The Lee C309-170-F is super accurate and inexpensive.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/574963/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-c309-170-f-30-caliber-309-diameter-170-grain-flat-nose-gas-check