Ideal 311359

[454PB]

I recently acquired a DC Ideal mold #311359 and tried it out yesterday. I casts beautifully, and the boolits weigh 116 gr. and measure .314" in my alloy.

I've read that this is supposed to be the boolit for 30 carbine.

Has anyone used it....in what....and is it a good one?

[Bret4207]

Although I have the mould, I haven't used it yet. That being said, it was a design for the 32WCF/32-20 (same thing) pre-dating the 30 Carbine by at least 20 years. Thta it fed nice in the Carbine was a plus. Some folks report good results. Others are not so happy. At least the nose isn't long and unsupported, so it may work well.

What platform do you plan on using it in?

[mooman76]

I have the mould and have not tried it but a friend of mine has and he says it works great. He says it also works great in the 7.62x39 rifles!

[Poygan]

I've had one for some years and, initially, I loaded it as cast without gas check and dipped it in 50/50 alox. Now I gas check them and size at .311. Either way it has worked as good as I could hold it in a Winchester carbine. Haven't explored it in the SKS yet.

[bruce drake]

Had one and used it in my SKS. Loved it. Shot like a house a fire when I paid attention to my load development.

Downside. I lost that mold and several others during the government move from Virginia to New York. Miss that mold alot. Will buy one as soon as I can devote myself to shooting my SKS more often.

Bruce

[Shepherd2]

I found a used 4 cavity in a gun shop years ago. I got it w/handles for cheap. I've shot 1000s in my M1 carbine since then. Good accuracy and no feeding problems.

[JDL]

I've used one for years in a .300 Savage and lately a 7.62 X 39. -JDL

[txpete]

I just loaded up some for my 91/30 sized .311 and plan on trying them out next wed at the range. mine w/ lube and gc weigh 130.0 grs.
pete

[beagle]

The 311359 shoots and feeds well in the .30 M1 Carbine. I size to .310" and have no problems.

Back in the late 60s, I was shooting this bullet sized at .311 without GCs and experienced clogging of the gas port due to shaved lead.

Now, a little older and wiser ( I hope), I shoot it sized to .310 with the check. I have fired thousands of 3118s in the M1 carbine with the noses bumped round and even though this is a PB bullet, I've experienced no shaving problems.

Maybe the combination of a .311 bullet and no check caused this shaving. At any rate, the #311359 shoots well in the M1 carbine and if you're lucky enough to find a HP mould, it makes a great small varmint cast bullet./beagle

[Larry Gibson]

I just loaded up some for my 91/30 sized .311 and plan on trying them out next wed at the range. mine w/ lube and gc weigh 130.0 grs.
pete

Wow

Seems to be a wide discrepency in the moulds over the years. I had a DC mold from '70 until I sold it to f friend with a M1 Carbine in '89. I cast thousands of bullets with it for use in M1 Carbins. Out of WWs they ran 118 gr with GC abd lube. Size out of the mould was .311. I sized them to .309" and they shot as well as any jacketed bullet in most any carbine. Back then I could really focus on the front sight and with my two better M1s could put a 15 round mag into 2 1/2 - 3" at 100 yards. That always amazed most shooters who believe the line "M1 carbines are woefullly inaccurate for sporting purposes" that was published in one of the reloading manuals. I also used a 311410HP and it is the only cast bullet that caused any leading and then in only one M1 of many.

The 311359 was only excellent for targets as it would slip right through rabbits killing them but not right away. I was doing a lot of coyote calling and rabbit shooting with the M1 then and used the Hornady 100 gr HJ mostly but really wanting a good cast SWC GC bullet for it. I met with some success using the Lyman 32-20 GC 316. Somewhere around then Lyman introduced the 313631 SWC GC mould for the .32 H&R I gave it a try in the M1 Carbine. That bullet shot as well as the 311359 and killed much better, quite well actually. That is the only reason I let my friend talk me out of the 311359 mould, wish I hadn't numerous times since then.

You will find it a very usefull bullet espesially in that weight and diameter. It should be very usefully in a wide range of cartridges. Be sure to let us know how it does.

Larry Gibson

[454PB]

Thanks for all the input, guys. I currently use cast boolits in my 30/30's, 308 winchester, and I'm going to try using them in my .300 WM. I ended up with this mould in a horse trade, and only limbered it up to see how well it casts. I already have three 30 caliber moulds that all cast in the 170 to 190 grain weight category, so I don't know that this will get used much.

You never know, I may own a 30 carbine one of these days:drinks:

[floodgate]

454PB:

"You never know, I may own a 30 carbine one of these days"

See this month's "Rifleman"; the early WW II version with the "L" peep sight and no baynet mount is back in producvtion by Auto Ordnance....at $705!!!

floodgate

[454PB]

My copy just arrived yesterday, I'll check it out!

[Newtire]

Wow!
Brand New Prices are Scary! I basically "Stole" mine at the price I paid so won't mention here. I just can't believe how good of a plinking gun it is. I found that 311359 sized to .309" cast of water-dropped Wheel-weights with Lee Liquid Alox lube & a gas check to be one of the most accurate shooters so far. I just bought a 311410" 130 gr but haven't shot any yet. I have had great luck with the Lee 120gr. RN and the most accurate was the Lee 130gr. RN. Was about ready to pitch that mould but just goes to show you that there is a good reason to buy more guns. Eventually you will find one to fit your mould.