.30 Carbine bullets

[Balkandom]

Hey folks!

I've been around for a little bit, but most of what I have been looking at was bigger bore stuff.

Long story short, I would like a 110-120gr HPGC bullet that I can load for an M1 Carbine I just acquired, with velocities close to factory spec. I only plan on loading about 500 rounds for it. If need be, I will buy molds and all, and I would like some pointers on your molds, alloy, etc. If there are any of you that this is old hat for and you could help out with some casting (I can help with lead, Linotype, other compensation, whatever), I would love to talk with you.

Please share your thoughts and ideas, I look forward to hearing from you, PM's are welcome.

Regards,

Mike

[NickSS]

I have loaded for the carbine for years (at least 45 years) and have used four lead bullets that I have cast myself. They are the Lyman 115 gr flat point plain base, Lyman 130 gr RN PB, Lyman 115 gr GC and the lee 120 gr GC. They all worked in at least 20 different carbines over the years. The flat point slug had to be adjusted for length untile I found one that worked most of the time but it was not a very reliable feeder so as to count on it. My favorite bullet was the Lyman 115 gr GC as I could get full power loads and it feeds in any carbine without a problem. The only HP slug I ever tried was a 110 gr JHP 30-30 bullet with a flat point. I ggot them to work but not as reliable as I would like. I liked the hornady hlf jacketed 100 gr slug for deer hunting as it shot accurately and expanded well on deer. I killed three white tails with that bullet at shorter ranges. I imagine that you can have somone make you a custom HPGC mold but I do not know of anyone.

[Larry Gibson]

I'm also at 45 years loading the .30 Carbine with cast bullets. Of current available moulds the Lee GC'd 120 gr RN will do nicely for your needs. You can get it in multiple cavity moulds. Also the older Lyman 311316 GC'd 118 gr FP or the 313631 gr GC'd 105 SWC are also excellent. The GC' RCBS and SAECO equivelent moulds work as well. With those you can easily match milsurp velocities of 1850 - 1950 fps with H110 or 296.


As to HPing. You can get a custom HP mould but the Forster tool works just as well for me when used with an electric scew driver on the trimmer.

Larry Gibson

[Balkandom]

Thanks for the input guys. What sort of alloy do you use?

[WILCO]

Thanks for the input guys. What sort of alloy do you use?

I've got the LEE 120 gr. RN too! I also cast up some boolits using run of the mill Gun Range alloy. Haven't shot any yet.......

[zomby woof]

The NOE 311115 is worth a look.

[Larry Gibson]

I use COWWs + 2% tin + 30% lead for the HP .30 carbine bullets.

Larry Gibson

[leadman]

I have used both of the Lee lightweight boolits, 113gr RFN and 120gr RN. The 113gr will sometimes have feeding problems, the 120gr feed in all of my carbines.
I just bought the SAECO 120gr RN in a 4 cavity and it seems to be a more accurate boolit than the Lee offerings. Also faster to cast with than the 2 cavity.

I use an alloy I make from the isotope containers with 1% tin and about the same of antimony added, then water quench them. No leading or feed issue from the boolit being too soft. These usually measure about 15BHN.
Clip on WW water quenched will work fine.

[koehn,jim]

I use the Lyman 311410 plain nase, works and is cheap to shoot.