Absolute best bullet for a '94 .30-30?

[Newtire]

I have the 311041 & the 311407 group buy. These are both 170-175 grainers. I have an old Lee 190 grain so haven't felt the need for anything but I'd bet that RCBS 180 should really shoot.

For plinking, I am now a converted plainbase boolit shooter with the 120-RF Group buy or the #322 Saeco sized to .310 and loaded with 8 grains Unique. Gaschecks I will save for the heavy loads and my 30-06 loads.

[Brownie]

I have found that 150gr bullets usually shoot better than most others in 30-30,s. in my winchesters any way.

[ra_balke]

i recently had mountain moulds cut for me a 200 grain job, with a gas check. It looks just like 311041, but with a wider flat on the nose, and a longer body to get the weight.

Too bad I loaned a bumb friend my mould handles, and never got them back... still have not cast any bullets from it..

As for powder I will go with the advice of long dead Evan marshal who said 36 grains of ww760/h-414 for a solid 2000 fps.

Cast from air cooled wheel weights of course.

[Chuck 100 yd]

311041

[PatMarlin]

I guess a picture says it all ..

[jh45gun]

311407

[DaveD]

311041

Hey Chuck, how you doing? Glad to see you here. What is your load for that boolit?

Dave "azoil"

[Chuck 100 yd]

Hi dave!! Those were using 18gr. IMR 4198 at 1595 fps. That target was shot at 50yd.using the Lyman receiver sight and my 61 yr.old eyes.

[DaveD]

Hi dave!! Those were using 18gr. IMR 4198 at 1595 fps. That target was shot at 50yd.using the Lyman receiver sight and my 61 yr.old eyes.

Chuck,
I just checked my stock, no IMR 4198. I may have to pick up a lb and give that load a try.

Have you tried IMR Trail Boss with anything?

[spurrit]

Trail boss is good for small game and target load only, IMHO. (And I've burnded a few pound of it.)

[Chuck 100 yd]

Dave, I havn`t shot any Trail Boss in the .30-30 yet but read that keeping them under 1000fps is best in the old thutty thutty ( 6.5 gr. seems to be a good load). I have shot a bunch in the .444 and .45-70 and it is a hoot and very accurate with cast at 11-1150 fps.
I use 14gr. with 325-350 gr.bullets in .45-70 , 13gr. with RanchDog 265-300 bullets in the444.
I shot Trail Boss in my Marlin .308MXwith 150 gr cast (RCBS) bullets and with 9gr. it shot good. 10 gr was more accurate but starting to give sticky extraction. TB builds pressure fast when the limit is approached. I suggest staying low with it and just have fun. Enjoy.

[WyrTwister]

Dave, I havn`t shot any Trail Boss in the .30-30 yet but read that keeping them under 1000fps is best in the old thutty thutty ( 6.5 gr. seems to be a good load). I have shot a bunch in the .444 and .45-70 and it is a hoot and very accurate with cast at 11-1150 fps.
I use 14gr. with 325-350 gr.bullets in .45-70 , 13gr. with RanchDog 265-300 bullets in the444.
I shot Trail Boss in my Marlin .308MXwith 150 gr cast (RCBS) bullets and with 9gr. it shot good. 10 gr was more accurate but starting to give sticky extraction. TB builds pressure fast when the limit is approached. I suggest staying low with it and just have fun. Enjoy.

.45-70 1150 fps 405 grain cast lead 13.5 - 13.6 grains of Unique .

God bless
Wyr

[Griff]

Ain't seen anyone else mention it... but, ALL my Win 94s get fed boolits from a Saeco #316 4 gang mold. Sized @ .309, lubed with Alox and powered w/27 grains of RE-7, they match Wichester SilverTips for POI.

[miestro_jerry]

I have a 150 gr FN mold that I like, but I have also ordered the Ranch Dog 165 mold. I like this bullet weight range for my 30-30. If I need heavier, then I jump to a 200 gr RN.

Jerry

[stillhunter]

We'v been shooting 30-30 in the three family '94s for years. Lyman 311291 works awfully well with 2400, 3031, and the above mentioned 4198. It's the best! This bullet is one of the early Lyman designs, and shoots well in my Krag, 03, and '94. Inch groups at 50 yds are common. If I had to settle for one cast bullet, 311291 would be it. Any 160 gr round nose of similar design should do well. Personally I've deserted the Winchester fold for a Marlin 336 as I need the low mounted glass. Have yet to find a good cast load for that one. But, thats what makes it interesting. Gonna try Chuck 100's combination. Looks promising!!

[srayc]

140 gr PBFN design from NEI performs VERY consistent. Economic to cast and shoot.

[Newtire]

Ain't seen anyone else mention it... but, ALL my Win 94s get fed boolits from a Saeco #316 4 gang mold. Sized @ .309, lubed with Alox and powered w/27 grains of RE-7, they match Wichester SilverTips for POI.

Yup Griff,

I got that mould myself back in the "pre-crazy" days of E-bay. It makes a pile of boolits in a hurry. I didn't think it looked like it had alot of bearing surface but I shot some with just a plinker load in my '06. They hold up well out to 100 yds. so far. I will give them a try in the .30-30 next.

[Jon K]

Saeco #316, one of my favorites. It shoots accurate out to 200m and pleasant to shoot. Unless you need the knock down of the heavier boolit, this is great at any speed.

Jon