Lee C309-150-RF in Winchester 94?

[FergusonTO35]

Hey folks. Got me a 1978 Winchester 94 .30-30 and I already have a bunch of Lee C309-150-RF's cast, sized to .310 with Tac-X lube. I'm looking for around 1800 fps with decent accuracy out to 100 yards. Conventional wisdom suggests that Winchesters do better with the 170's, but I would like to see what the 150's will do before I buy another mold. All my .30-30 rifles have tight throats. I seat them to 2.420 and use the FCD to crimp on the ogive, which works well.

Powders I have include Unique, Reloder 7, IMR 4895, 4064, the late great SR4759, and Hodgdon 4198. Any suggestions here? If I could do 3" at 100 yards I would be a very happy guy.

[izzyjoe]

4895 would be my pick! You should be able to achieve you goals!

[popper]

I tried Rx7 with a 145 PB but pushed it too hard (18gr). With a GC it should really work good. 4895 is good for max loads, works OK for downloading but needs more powder for fps.

[Larry Gibson]

Rx7 is going to work well with that bullet in the 1800 fps range though it will do quite well above that velocity also. Rx7 is a bit faster than H4895 and burns more efficiently at lower/medium range velocities with bullets lighter than 170 gr. However if you push it above 1800 fps then H4895 can come into it's own.

With the Rx7 start at 17 gr with a 1/2 gr Dacron filler (18.5 gr w/o) and work up to 20 gr. Happiness will be found along the way......

[Texas by God]

My choice is IMR 3031 but of the listed powders H4198 would be it for me.

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[rking22]

Another vote for RL 7 , I used it with 311466 in my contender 3030. Liked it so well it has becom the powder I always start with in the range you describe. I do not have that info but it was in the 18 to20 gr range. Fits nicely between 2400 and 4895 in cast applications.

[ShooterAZ]

RL-7 is great in the 30-30, but LVR is even better IMHO. I use that same boolit in a 16" Carbine with LVR and have had excellent results. I you can find some LVR, give it a try sometime.

[FergusonTO35]

Wow, thanks for all the replies. I see that 4198 and Reloder 7 are nearly the same in terms of burn rate, 4198 is alot easier to find around here however. Anybody compared the two with the same loads?

[northmn]

I have used the Lee 150 grain bullet in more than one rifle and can say that in a 30-30 there is no real trick to getting about anything in the way of faster burning powders like 4198 or Re7 to work. 5744 is another good cast powder. I even drove a heavier bullet at a fair speed with good results with the Re7. 30-30 is one of the easiest calibers to load boolits for.

A 94 is not a bench rest rifle but is a lot of fun with cast.

DEP

[Edward]

Lee molds are cheap ,get the 170 and see the difference . GC is required for either so $25.00 (cheaper used) will let you know ,I like the 170 myself for hunting /target /Ed

[Bird]

4895 either H or IMR, IMR 4064 , W748 all shoot good. Can't see much difference in group size between them.
Load them between 1750 to 2050 fps.

[FergusonTO35]

Sounds great. I am planning to get a 170 grain mold at some point, just not now. Already have a few hundred 150's ready to be loaded.

[popper]

Use LeverE with ftx and full speed loads, don't get decent fps with downloading.

[sghart3578]

I wish I could help but in my 30-30 I don't experiment much.

I also use the Lee 150 gr mold. I beagle it then gas check it and size it to .311" for my Marlin. I use Randy's TAC-X and TAC-1 also.

Somewhere on this forum I saw a suggestion for 150 gr bullets and 25 gr of 3031. The first group I shot with it at 75 yards was unbelievable. With Skinner peep sights I can pretty much call my shots out to a little over 100 yards.

If you knew me you would know that I am not the world's greatest shot so I am verry happy with this combo.

I have stuck with that load ever since.

I do use Unique in 30-30 with the Lee 113 gr bullet. Lot's of fun.

Good luck.

[FergusonTO35]

I like the sound of that 25 grains 3031! What charge of Unique do you use with the Lee 113? I have never been able to get very good accuracy out of that boolit and powder, although it could just be user error.

I had to order some stuff online today, and so went ahead and threw in the Lee C309-170-RF. I've been planning to get it forever, so might as well while I'm thinking about it. It will probably be awhile before I can pour some with it though, and I already have a bunch of 150's ready.

[sghart3578]

I'll check my records but I think it was 5.5 gr of Unique. I did not gas check them.

I tried the Lee 170 gr mold also but I have never had any luck with it. The nose diameter is too small from my mold. I ended up selling it.


Steve in N CA

[FergusonTO35]

Thanks. Interesting, my Lee 150 casts a really fat nose. So much so, that I seat deeper than the crimp groove to 2.420.

[Texas by God]

I consider the Lee 309FP trio to be excellent boolits. I use the 113, the 150, and the 170 with great results.

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[FergusonTO35]

When the 170 arrives I'll have all three. I imagine the 170 would be a dandy for .308 also, I have a Browning BLR that needs some exercise!

[stubshaft]

That boolit was the first one I ever cast (back in the late 60's) for my model 64, 30/30. I loaded over 3031 powder and still do.