Want to cast 150 gn. bullets for Marlin .30-30 336cs w/microgroove barrel

[MooseCaller]

Would like to buy the correct molds etc. for my .30-30. Already have casting gear for .30-06, .38 and .357.
Here is my list.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/501..._vc=sugv501819

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/124...cm_vc=wishList

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/720...cm_vc=wishList

Appreciate any advise...thanks

[Maven]

MC, I once owned a Marlin .30-30Win. (Microgroove) which was boringly accurate with certain cast bullet designs. Sadly, the Lee design wasn't among them. Before you decide on a mold or sizing die, you'll need to slug your Marlin's bore. Mine needed a .310" diameter CB although it would tolerate a .311" CB, but wasn't quite as accurate with the larger diameter. You'll also need to slightly bell the case necks so they'll accept CB's without shaving your CB: Lee, Lyman, and RCBS offer such dies, but I've always used the Lyman "M" die specifically for the .30-30 case.

Hope this helps!

[pworley1]

The dies and mold should work fine. I would slug the barrel before buying a sizing die.

[iron mule]

you may want to check out this one from NOE
i have one in the gas check version and in plain base style both shot excellent from a marlin micro groove barrel
they also work just as good from barrels with conventional rifling 311 165Gr. RF

mine drop 172 grns lubed and checked
mule

[blikseme300]

Why use 150gn boolits? I like the Marlin 30-30's and have 5 rifles that I use quite often. My preferred boolits are the Lee copy of the 311041 and the RD311-165 loaded from mild to wild for excellent accuracy and hunting use.

[MooseCaller]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Looks like slugging the barrel is a good start. Iron Mule is there a link for the NOE?

[2wheelDuke]

Try this link for the Ranch Dog molds from NOE. I just got a 311 165 RF that has 2 PB and 2 gc. I figure I can load the plain base mild for target/plinking, and the gas checked ones up to full snort to hunt. My first ones from the mold weigh 173gr with gas checks and powder coat.

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=71_75

[rodsvet]

MC, your choice is exactly what I've been shooting in my 336 for 30 years. It serves me well and I size to 309. A fun gun and surprisingly accurate for a rifle with micro groove and lead. You'll need to play around to find the perfect load. Good luck, Rod

[iron mule]

sorry forgot to add the link to NOE but i see that Duke bailed me out
mule

[johnnyastro22]

The LEE you've got the link for in your post looks like a good place to start to me.

I started with a very similar Lee 2-Cavity Bullet Mold C309-160-1R 30 Caliber (309 Diameter) 160 Grain 1 Ogive Radius Gas Check

I ended up with a gas checked & powder coated bullet at 162 Grains.

For my load I settled on 23 GR Winchester 748 with C.O.L. of 2.4995" for a very accurate load in my Marlin 336.

I call this my starting point because I just ordered a NOE 311 165Gr. RF RG2 cavity GC (RD) (I3)
I want to make this my cast hunting bullet as I think that the flat point will be serve me better than the round nose Lee mold I'm using now. Of course you may have been ahead of me there as your already looking at a FP mold!

Good luck, just know that you'll end up with more than one mold for the 30/30 no matter what...


[2wheelDuke]

If NOE doesn't have what you want, Tom at Accurate Molds makes a damn good version of the Ranch Dog mold and he's got some other nice molds for 30-30. He can make a custom mold to your liking.

My my dad has a 170gr flat point gas check mold from Tom that does great in 30-30 and in Dad's Savage 99 in .308.

[MooseCaller]

Thanks again for everybody's valued help... I have ordered the following as a place to start:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/574...ippedTodayLink

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/492...ippedTodayLink

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/124...ippedTodayLink

MC

[Yodogsandman]

I like 8.0gr Unique with the Lee 309-170F boolit for a mild and accurate load.

[MooseCaller]

Good to know...thanks