If you could only cast one 30 cal rifle boolit

[48bpcr]

This post should start a firestorm,

IF you could have only one 30 caliber mold, which one would you pick and why?

I ask because the mold collection is growing rather large and I've decided to start casting for these rifles as well.

1903 A1
1903 A3
30-40 Krag
1989/11 Schmidt Rubin
1911 Schmidt Rubin short rifle
K-31

I'm leaning very strongly towards the Lyman 311299 As I subscrice to the old Elmer Kieth therory of bullets.

I already cast with several different molds for my 45-70, 45-90, 50-70, BPCR rifles.
And a .449 mold for my Gibbs

I cast for my 6.5X55 Swedes
I cast for my M-95 carbines and rifles

I run two different sizers, a 450 and a 4500. One for black powder and one for smokeless lubes

I cast 200 grn. SWC for my 1911 Kimber with an old Hensley and Gibbs mold.

I WILL NOT cast for SWMBO's K-38 and Lady Smith ( She Who Must Be Obeyed ) My sweet and wonderfull wife

I use a pot and dipper. The pots hold at least 20 lbs and sit on a big ol' propane fueled burner.

So, Let me know your thoughts!

45 BPCR

www.duncansauto.com

[mike in co]

the problem, as i see it, you can't.

what works well in the us, guns will not work well in the swiss.
what may happen is what works in the swiss may work in the us guns.

the swiss have no throat and like small dia/ short boolits..the us guns like bigger dia.

me thinks atleast 2 moulds to get best....tho a 165 silly wet may work in both.

mike in co

[48bpcr]

That's why I was looking at the 311299 as it's a bore rider

45BPCR

[jhrosier]

48bpcr,

I have shot the 31141 in all those you mention and more.
It works just dandy in the Swiss rifle BTW.

I thought that I might have feeding problems because of the flat nose but that has not been an issue yet.

Jack

[fatnhappy]

the problem, as i see it, you can't.

what works well in the us, guns will not work well in the swiss.
what may happen is what works in the swiss may work in the us guns.

the swiss have no throat and like small dia/ short boolits..the us guns like bigger dia.

me thinks atleast 2 moulds to get best....tho a 165 silly wet may work in both.

mike in co

I think Mike nailed it. I'm not even sure you can use a single mould for the american rifles.

[Shiloh]

my 311299 dropped at .310 with a .298 nose. Hardly a nose rider for my needs.
Went to a 314299 for a Springfield and a Krag.

Shiloh

[Cbenc1]

For the list of rifles you provided, I would go with the Lyman 311284. I have had good result in all the rifles you listed except the K-31. The throat on the K-31 I had would not accept the nose of my 311284. It does fit in my 96/11 and G11. I think the 314299 might not fit in the Swiss rifles. It is a very close second choice for the US rifles though.

[Tazman1602]

Can't do it. Gotta have a flat nose for my lever gun and a pointy one for my bolts. I think Mike in Co nailed this one...............

[runfiverun]

for what you got the 165 silhouette might just work.
it's done very well in my k-31's my krag,308.
however my 30-30's really don't care for it nor does the wifes 0-6.
the shorter nosed longer bearing surfaced rcbs 150 fngc has however done rather well in all of them.
they do pour to the same diameters on the body and nose though.

[9.3X62AL]

I'm going through a similar shake-out with the new-to-me FN Mauser 30-06. I have eight 30/31 caliber mould designs usable in the caliber, so I gotta do a triage too.

The fact is, the 30-06 has not been a very accurate cast boolit caliber for me--so far, at least. That I can get good work from small-bores like the 243 and 250 Savage, and still fall short accuracy-wise with a classic cast boolit caliber is a mite exasperating.

This FN bolter is A LOT more tightly-dimensioned than the two previous 30-06s that I've dealt with. I'm hoping that translates into better downrange results.

[skeet1]

I am becoming very fond of the Lee 312-185 sized .311. I am currently shooting it in my 03A3 and my K31. I was surprised that it would work in the K31's chamber but it does in mine. Seem to shoot very well both rifles.

Skeet1

[Bloodman14]

1) Whatever works for you.
2) Why won't you cast for your lady's guns? Seems kind of selfish to me.
3) I would cast for the heaviest/most accurate boolit for the gun I would grab when the SHTF.
(Man, I can't wait for the 314299 Mod GB mould from NOE to come in!)

[mike in co]

I am becoming very fond of the Lee 312-185 sized .311. I am currently shooting it in my 03A3 and my K31. I was surprised that it would work in the K31's chamber but it does in mine. Seem to shoot very well both rifles.

Skeet1

what is the oal length of the boolit and the col of the loaded round ?

mike in co

[Bullshop Junior]

I would sell it and buy a 357 mould. I don't have a 30 cal rifle....yet.

[Bret4207]

I have to agree with the "one size/mould NOT fitting all" group. You have to fit the boolit and rifle together, there's no one magic design that fits them all. I shoot 30's from 77 grs to over 225 grs. Even where I have 2-3 guns using the same design they need different sizing on 2 of them.

Fit the boolit to the gun. You'll be much happier in the end.

[madsenshooter]

It would be my John Ardito designed Eagan MX3-30AR. It works great in my overbore Krag, even fits the throat, yet has a small enough nose to work in a K31 (makes me wonder why I ordered one of the NOE K31 molds). Enough weight for hunting (170gr), low enough recoil for targets. Bernie did a good job cutting the mold, it's about as close to a seamless bullet as one is going to get. I think the tapered design would make a shooter out of any ratty old 30 cal anyone here might have. Thus far it works best in the Krag, but it also sees use in my Madsen, my Garand and the K31. I'll soon get to see how it works in a new barrel, as I'm putting together a Krag with a heavy Wilson 6 groove barrel.

[Kragshooter]

I use the Lee 170gr flat nose gas check for my .308,30-30 & my 30-40. Use Unique or H-335 if I feel the need for speed. In case the world collapses I can load this in the 2 rifles I would want with me, the .308 & the 30-30. I can have one more it is the Lee 158gr flat nose for .357 Just my thoughts.If I had to grab one gun and go it would be the 336 30-30.

[.30/30 Guy]

I agree with madenshooter. Eagan MX3-30AR.

[RugerFan]

The Lyman 311291 works well in a variety of .30 cals. I use it for .308, 7.5x55 & 7.62x54R (M39) and get great accuracy.

[twidget]

The Lyman 311291 works well in a variety of .30 cals. I use it for .308, 7.5x55 & 7.62x54R (M39) and get great accuracy.

I'll second this one. It works well for me in .30-06, .308, and .30-30.