Full case powders in .30 carbine

[Ozark mike]

I got tired of reading old threads so maybe we can put more info in one spot Im looking for a better powder than 296 for use with a 90364 that can be loaded close to 100% load density without leading and has the best accuracy 296 has to be downloaded below the minimum. So id like to hear what you guys use as far as slower powder this way i dont have to go buy every powder in the book i know each rifle is diffrent but maybe we can narrow it down to just a couple really good powders for this cartridge/boolit

[Outpost75]

I've used either IMR- or H-4227 with good success in case-capacity charges with cast bullets for years, in both my USGI 1944 Inland carbine and 1977 Ruger Blackhawk.
50-50 COWW and scrap linotype, sized .310" with 50-50 Alox beeswax, no gascheck needed, no leading, accuracy better than FMJ Ball ammo.

Velocity Data for .30 Carbine Loads in Ruger Blackhawk Revolver and US Carbine

JACKETED FACTORY .30 Caliber Carbine Ammunition In Revolver and Rifle

Ammunition________Ruger 7-1/2”__________US M1 Carbine 18”

WCC44 Ball M1_____1527, 21, 58__________1960, 23, 89
W-W 110-gr. HSP___1300, 29, 79__________1894, 18, 63

Handload with Accurate 31-100T, Starline cases, Remington 6-1/2 primer

14.0 grs. IMR4227__1524, 12, 35__________1858, 13, 33

Attachment 267020

[Larry Gibson]

So what the heck is a "90364"? If that's a Lee mould don't expect me to look it up to answer....best to give the bullet description [C309-120-R] instead of the product number. If you're getting "leading" with an appropriate load (would be close to 100% load density) of 296 it's not the fault of the powder.

It's your alloy, your lube or no GCs with PC.

I've shot thousands of 115 - 120 gr GC'd cast bullets cast of COWWs +2% tin, GC'd with Bammer's or Hornady's, lubed with Javelina or, now, 2500+ loaded over 15 or 15.5 gr of H110 or 296 with zero leading in numerous M1 and m2 carbines. It ain't the powder.

[Ozark mike]

So what the heck is a "90364"? If that's a Lee mould don't expect me to look it up to answer....best to give the bullet description [C309-120-R] instead of the product number. If you're getting "leading" with an appropriate load (would be close to 100% load density) of 296 it's not the fault of the powder.

It's your alloy, your lube or no GCs with PC.

I've shot thousands of 115 - 120 gr GC'd cast bullets cast of COWWs +2% tin, GC'd with Bammer's or Hornady's, lubed with Javelina or, now, 2500+ loaded over 15 or 15.5 gr of H110 or 296 with zero leading in numerous M1 and m2 carbines. It ain't the powder.

Yes it is the 120 grain lee gas check boolit
I have never run em full tilt with 296 fearing it would be to fast for lead and im not about to risk getting lead in the gas system any more than i have to. What is the velocity of those with that load sounds like they should be close to 2000 fps.

[Larry Gibson]

Unless there is a defect in the M1 carbine gas port, a poor lube is used or the alloy isn't correct leading of the gas system is a myth. I have been shooting cast bullet in numerous M1 and M2 Carbines (even on full auto) since 1968. I had access to many M1 and M2 carbines in the Army for many years and shot them a lot. The only time I got any leading it was in the bore, not the gas system, and was because there was a large burr/chip on the bore gas port opening.

As I mentioned, use a proper lube, GCs and alloy any you won't get any leading. When I stated shooting cast in '68 I used the old Lyman graphite lube. It worked but was pretty messy. In '69 I started using Javelina, a NRA 50/50 lube always used that or Tamarack until neither were made anymore. Since then either White label 2500+ or 50/50 lube works as well.

A good alloy is COWWs + 2% tin. If COWWs aren't readily available a ternary alloy with close to 95/2.5/2.5 composition will work as well. Of course Lyman #2 or even linotype works as well.

The standard milsurp 30 Carbine loads run close to 1950 fps with 107 gr FMJ bullets out of 18" M1 carbine barrels. Thus getting 2000 fps out of a 120 gr Lee cast bullet is bit optimistic.
Full power loads with h110/296 will be closer to the1800 - 1900 fps range. With 118 - 120 gr cast I use 13.5 gr gr H110/296 for 1875 fps with excellent accuracy and if zeroed properly that load correlates to the rear sight settings to 300 yards. I suggest you start at 12 gr of 296 with your bullet and work up to 13.5 gr. !3.5 gr was/is at 100% load density with the Lee 120 gr bullets or with the 311359 when they are seated to magazine length and to feed properly.

With jacketed bullets I consider 15 gr of either powder to be a max load with 110 gr jacketed bullets and with the Hornady 90 gr [.308 XTP]. With either the Speer or Hornady HJ bullets I use 15.5 gr.

I've also used 2400 and 4227 but they did not give the performance level the M1 carbine was capable of. H110/296 do.

Attachment 267032