RCBS 82019 or Lyman 311041 in Winchester 94?

[FergusonTO35]

Strangely, my vision has actually improved with age. I used to be very nearsighted, now I'm about average. My dad is an ophthalmology tech and said this is pretty common.

[FergusonTO35]

Hmm, finding that this rifle is very inconsistent nowadays. Shots stringing all over the place. I'm not a good marksman by any means but 9" groups are not my norm! Load is 26 grains H335/RCBS 30-150-FN gas checked sized to .310. Never seen a .30-30 that wouldn't shoot a .310 boolit at least reasonably well. The mag tube has a bit of wiggle in the barrel band which is about normal for cheap 94's. Any suggestions here? I'm going to try the same ammo in my '78 model and my laser accurate Marlin Glenfield 30. If the ammo performs well in those rifles, then this thing is getting traded or sent to JES to be transformed into a .38-55!

[FergusonTO35]

Tried out the beater 94 with the tried and true 24 grains Reloader 7 under a 170 grain Lee slug. Accuracy was nothing special but decent. I think 26 grains H335 may be high, so I'm going to redo the charge starting at 23 grains. Also did my quick and dirty way of snugging up parts fit with discrete application of bits of Gorilla Tape in strategic areas. Hopefully can shoot it some more tomorrow.

[FergusonTO35]

Was able to try some loads today before it got too dark. 23.7 and 24 grains H335 look promising, seems to shoot about as good as I can hold with anything else I've tried. If my stupid trigger finger would squeeze properly I could get much better groups. Best I can do is something of a.controlled press.

[FergusonTO35]

Looks like 24 grains H335 is a winner. When everything goes right it shoots as good as my pet jacketed loads. Hope the 1978 model likes it too.

[FergusonTO35]

Tried it again today and 24 grains H335 is what this rifle will eat from now on. I can call the shots no problem, and once in a great while actually make a nice group. I wonder how well this boolit does on deer? Lots of folks swear by the Lyman 170.

[FergusonTO35]

Fired the 24 grains H-335/RCBS 150 side by side with the trusted standard of 24 grains Reloader 7/170grain Lee. Turns out both loads are equally accurate and shoot to the same POA in my rifles. Bonus!

[OverMax]

311041 Ideal cast appears to be a dandy 30 cal boolit being a flat point suggested for Rem/ Win lever use. Lyman 311291 on the other-hand isn't quite so dandy looking. Its a plain jane cast. But shines at distant hole making as its a bit more accurate and stable than its cousin the 041. As far as powder use there are many. I found IMR 4198 to be best powder for either boolit. What reloaders need to focus on concerning cast molds is boolit diameter. Win likes .310 dia and Rem likes .312 due to its tiny Micro Groove rifling. Here's something interesting to look at http://www.three-peaks.net/Lyman_and...llet_Molds.pdf

[FergusonTO35]

Thanks. I size 'em to .310 and they seem to work just fine, not a bit of leading to speak of. 4198 is a powder that I really like but not enough to pay $15.00 more a pound for it, when so far H-335 is doing everything I need.