Looking for advise on 30-30 molds

[19112TAP]

I'm wanting to get a mold for my 30-30 and would like to stay around 150gr., my rifle is a Marlin 336RC older model. Looking for any suggestions, would preffer to stay with RCBS or Lyman. Thanks!

[docone31]

I like Lee molds.
C309-170F looks like a winner for the 30-30. I use Lee molds for everything. I have yet to be disappointed.
They have a 150gn also. I would go with the heavier casting. Lead is different from jacketeds. Go heavier casting, slower load.

[quietmike]

I've aways liked Lyman's 311041-but now i like the group buy 311041 6 banger better.

[Boomer Mikey]

RCBS 30-150-CM for plain base bullets,
RCBS 30-150-FN for gas check base bullets.
The Lyman 311041 is the traditional bullet for the 30-30.

All of them will work well.

Boomer

[beagle]

I'll second the 30-150-FN RCBS./beagle

[Doc Highwall]

My choice was with a Ranch dog 311165. Take a look at his website, he advertises here.

[randyrat]

I'll second the C309-170 F it shoots like a dream.

[jhalcott]

The 311466 and 311041 work for me. I have a couple Lee molds in .30 cal, but haven't used them in the 30-30

[knothead]

I shoot the RCBS 30-150-CM for plain base bullet in front of 10 grains of blue dot. Its 1400 n change out of my 336 and runs VERY accurate groups. I've loaded over 3000 of them and had many guys shoot them in our leo lever gun transition schools that we run at our department. Its the easiest 3030 shooting any of us ever does, almost cheating

[Fish_N_Russ]

do you have much leading, if any, with that load knothead?

[jlchucker]

Lyman 311041 has always worked for me. I'm in the group buy for a plain-based 311041 and am eager to try the non-gascheck version when the mold arrives. If I were starting again my first choice would probably be the Ranchdog mold and technique.

[The Dove]

I use a Lee 90368 (160 Grain FN). Works great for me.

The Dove

[19112TAP]

Thanks for all of the input! I'm just getting into bullet casting.

Thanks
Tom

[docone31]

Welcome to our fun and games!
Tom, I really reccomend Lee Products.
Their 20lb bottom pour pot is great, if, you clean your alloy in a seperate container first.
The Lee molds work for me, real well. The push thru sizing system also works real well for me.
I make my lube.
With the 170gn mold I meantioned above, you can size it to .308 without gas check, and paper patch it. Then size to .311.
Welcome indeed.
Lots of good folks here.

[Lead melter]

+1 for the Lee 150 grain and 170 grain molds. I'm in the process of getting excess funds together to get the Ranch Dog 165 grainer in a six cavity. Haven't shot one yet, but based on the Ranch Dog molds I do have, it will be a good one.

Never tried the Lyman [that's a cuss word to me] or RCBS versions, but the Lee can be very economical and shoots great, even when I size them at .308". I use my old Marlin to squirrel hunt...it shoots that well with the 150 or 170 atop 10 grains Unique.

As a suggestion, you might get in contact with Lazer-Cast and get a few sample packs of their 170 grainers. If memory serves, this is a duplicate of the Lyman [that word again] 311041 mold. They will come at .309" without gas checks, but I'm sure you'll need a sizer anyway, so I'll put in a bump for the Lee push-through. If all else fails, send me a PM and I'll send you some to try out. I know I have the Lee 170 and some Lazer-Cast 170 on hand, but I don't know about the 150. Note...all will be sized .308"

Best of luck and welcome to the madhouse!!!!!

[mtgrs737]

I like the Lyman 311041, it was designed for the 30-30 and works very well in my Marlin 336 microgoove barrel.

[JIMinPHX]

I've had real good luck with the 150-grain Lee in a 30-30 Marlin.

[medicstimpy]

How about RCBS's 165gr Shilouette boolit? ANyone try this? Is it safe in a lever? I got the mould used for a semi and bolt but was never brave enough to try it in a lever since the flat is fairly small.

[nighthunter]

A while back there was a group buy for a 30 cal 6 cavity mould. I'm pretty sure it was a .312-150 from Lee. Mine casts bullets that weigh about 156 grains. The Ranch Dog mold appears to be very very similar to the group buy mold. The group buy mold shoots extremly well in my Marlin 30/30 with loads of Green Dot and 2400 (seperately of course). I'm sure the Ranch Dog mold will perform as well as this one. A six cavity mold is a lot of bang for your buck also.
Nighthunter

[knothead]

I have very little leading. I mix my wheel weights with range lead from our small bore range. Bullets are hard. When I started I thought the microgroove barrel would lead bad, but it does not.
ymmv