First Rifle Boolits

[michiganflyer]

Thought you guys may enjoy these pictures.

While I have been casting pistol bullets for years, I just started rifle for my 30-30 win 94 after Christmas. This is the lee 309-170fp and it seems to work fine.
Mold is still breaking in, and some of the bullets aren't perfect yet, but they are getting better with each pour.

I loaded a few 19grains, 20, 21 of IMR 4198 and test fired some yesterday.
They seemed to work well. No leading. While I have the RCBS sizer luber, I decided to try the lee push thru sizer at .309 to size and seat the gas checks. I also used the lee alox lube. I don't know, I have a few lee items, and they sure seem to provide a good product. I also have Dillon, lyman, and RCBS, but gosh for the cost, I don't see any problems with the lee.

I didn't do any accuracy testing, nor even shoot from sand bags yet, as it was -1F on the ole temp gauge, and I didn't want to be outside more than needed.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

Looks very good. I've never tried 4198, but it appears to be doing well. I have used only 3031....started with 25 grains and workd up to 27 which gave me good accuracy out of 2 94's at 100 yards off the bench. Max is around 30-31 grains which gives around 2100-2200fps if you need that for hunting etc. Keep up the good work. LLS

[michiganflyer]

Great thank you...what do you size your bullets to? .309?
What type of lube etc?

[mpmarty]

That's the boolit I use in my K31 and my Savage 308 bolt gun. Works great with 3031 as well as lighter loads of 2400.

[Boondocker]

I have been having fun with this Lee and Lyman 311041 over 10 grains Unique as a gentle target load. I only tested it out to 50 yds so far but I am sure it will do good at 100.:castmine: Boon:drinks:

[Doble Troble]

Every now and then a Lee product will need some minor fine tuning. If you are mechanically adept Lee is a bargain. If you can't chew gum and walk at the same time (or don't want to have to) look elsewhere.

I first started casting 30-30 bullets with that exact same mold, and sized them just the same, and used the Lee Liquid Alox at about the same amount. Those first bullets shot pretty good, but when I bumped the sizer die to 0.310 and started cutting the LLA lube with mineral spirits (until I could just tell the bullets had a copper color) groups improved.

I like 4198 for 30-30 and 308 too - especially for the carbines! 21 grains in 30-30 and 308 works well for most any cast bullet.

But you're doing great as is - welcome to the obsession!

[Le Loup Solitaire]

Sizing for Winchester 94's isn't much of a project. Usually .309 or .310 will get the job done. Your rifle will let you know which size it prefers when you test fire for grouping. My carbine likes .309 while my rifle does better with "as cast"; I miked that as .310 as it comes from the mold ( a single cavity Lyman 311291 @ 170 grains) so I just pan lube them for the rifle. My rifle is an old one so the bore is probably a bit worn. I never slugged the bore so don't really know how much. As for lube, there are lots to choose from. I use the the old NRA 50/50 beeswax-alox mix. I bought a drum of it way back in the day and still have a lot of it. Lee Alox lube is good, as are many of the others, but if the Lee is working for you then stick with it. The testing for accuracy in terms of grouping will tell the story. LLS

[Recluse]

Great thank you...what do you size your bullets to? .309?
What type of lube etc?

I have just the opposite luck of Doble Troble--my Winchester 94 much prefers .309 and no LLA for lube.

So I size my 170FN (I have that same Lee mould, by the way, and I like it quite well) to .309 through the Lee push-through sizer. That's also where/when I install the gas check.

I then run the boolits through the lubesizer at .309, which results in filling the lube grooves only.

Lube I use is one of my custom concoctions.

I also load up fifty to a hundred at a time with just ten grains of Unique for little more than plinking and having fun. Something about a lever-action gun with iron sights that is just flat FUN. :)

:coffee:

[Greg in Malad]

The bullets look fine, Instead of tumble lubing try dipping the bullets, up to the crimp groove, in a bowl of liquid alox. Then set them aside, after they dry push them through the sizer.
I use a 170gr. Ranch Dog, dipped in liquid alox with 25grs. AA2230. It averages 2000 fps , and shoots great.

[runfiverun]

i like the 150 or a 165 in my savage sized to 310 sept i use 26-27 grs of the aa 2230.
the 30-30 isn't too picky iv'e used h-414,3031,4895,clays,unique,steel,800-x,and others i can't recall right off but really haven't had a bad load yet.
if the boolit is a close match to the throat area in some way or another most loads will do fine.