Going to get a mold for my Marlin 30-30.

[bigarm]

As the title says I am going to get a mold for my Marlin, probably have one made. How big can you go? I think that 150 and 170 grains seem to be the standard. I know Buffalo Bore makes a bullet with a 190 grainer, I think. Can you load 180 grain boolits or so in the Marlin?

[Dan444]

For my Marlin 336C 30-30, I cast at 165 grains with the Ranch Dog mold, sized to .311". When I use jacketed, I use the Hornady 170 gr. I wouldn't know of any reason that you couldn't load 30-30 at up to 200 grain cast bullets.

Dan

[RickinTN]

I have a 187 grain mold that works in a Winchester 94 with a long throat. It won't work in my Marlin rifles as the throats are short and abrupt. I also have a 178 grain bullet that works well in many Marlin rifles. The specific design is very important as to what will and will not fit in a particular chamber. Among many considerations would be is the bullet to long to keep the gas check in the neck of the case? Is the configuration of the transition from full diameter to bore diameter such that it will chamber? Hopefully with slight engraving on the nose for best accuracy.
Good luck with your new mold,
Rick

[FergusonTO35]

Don't see why it wouldn't work, although 150 grain slugs have no trouble making things dead around here. Any particular reason you want a heavy slug?

[johnnyastro22]

"For my Marlin 336C 30-30, I cast at 165 grains with the Ranch Dog mold, sized to .311"

Dan

I also shoot cast a 168 grain GC and it's very accurate from my Marlin 336 micro groove barrel.

I know a lot of people knock Lee but I've had great results with the Lee C309-160-R mold. CWW, GC & PC I get 168 grain boolits.

[44 flattop]

IMO, the Lyman 311041 is THE 30-30 bullet. Out of my mold and cast relatively soft, they weigh 180grs with GC in place. Made for the 30-30, I've yet to run across a rifle they wouldn't go through the action or fail to chamber.

[TXGunNut]

Another vote for the RD boolit, especially now that NOE makes them in both TL and conventional lube groove designs. The boolit was designed for the Marlin and works quite well in them, IMHO.

[Slow Elk 45/70]

Yup the RD 165 was designed for the Marlin BY RD before he quit the business a few years back...he did a lot of work on his designs and NOE has them now......it shoots better than I can IMHO