HELP 30-30 Load question! NEWBE!

[Fortkevin2]

I want to first tell you guys that, obviously I'm new at casting and somewhat new to reloading so be-warned if my questions seem somewhat "dumb"

I have a Marlin 30-30 Winchester I'd like to cast for. I currently have a .311 155 gr. C312-155-2R DC Lee mould I'd like to use for this that I have been using for Mosin Nagant 91/30's, M44's, M38's ETC. I KNOW it's not optimal but it's what I have at my disposal right now until I can scrounge up more money. I DO have a .309 Sizer die and .30 caliber gas checks though. :p

First,
Can I safely load the .312 boolit sized down to .309 DIA in my Marlin? I don't see what it would be an issue as it is sized correctly. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Being that this is a pointed bullet, I would only shoot it single shot. I will be the only ones that have access to these so no worries of a mag tube blowing up.

If that is a yes, what load do you recommend? I have a lee safety scale but no way to measure the exact cast load weight. I have used straight wheel weights when I casted these up and from what I have read here that straight wheel weights cast somewhat heavy compared to the advertised weight.

I'm looking for something to shoot steel out around 150 yards. Not looking for a trail boss load but nothing near max either.

If I didn't address anything, please let me know. Again, I'm new to this and want to be as safe as possible. Thanks!

[TCFAN]

I have that same mold. I have not used it in my marlin but I have used it in my T/C Encore rifle chambered in 30-30. The boolits drop from my mold at .312+ cast out of WW and I size to .309 in 2 steps.A .311 Lyman lube die in my 450 lube sizer and then a .309 Lee push through size die.
The Lee C312-155 shoots good in my Encore when the boolit is indexed to the case and the case is indexed to the chamber. I use IMR 4198 at about 1600fps............Terry

[DLCTEX]

If you have a Micro grooved barrel you may be happier sizing to .311, or try loading them as dropped at .312. I size the lee .311-170 FP to .311 for my Marlin.

[richhodg66]

I size all mine to .311 and never had a problem, I think they tend to shoot a bit better oversized.

[Larry Gibson]

+ another for the .311 size. That's my "go to" size for all .308/.309 barrels.

Larry Gibson

[gon2shoot]

yep, try them "as cast" first, you may be pleased with the results and save yourself some time t boot. Micro groove bbls seem to work better with larger diamater boolits. Most powder makers have web sites, so look at the starting loads for that weight and work from there.

[pipehand]

I'm sure you'd be better of not to size to .309, but leave it larger. I do wonder where the mouth of the case works out to be on the boolit when seated to an overall length of 2.55 inches. Also, IIRC that boolit has a rather pointed profile that may not be the best thing to use in a tube magazine as a repeater due to contact with the primer of the round forward of it in the tube. Spending the $19 on a 150f or 170f would get you set up withthe crimp groove in the right place. Let us know how it works out.

[blackbike]

I too would go for a new cheap mold for 30-30.even if you soht it single action,(pain), If you crimp in crimp grove, long round nose bullets don`t want to come out of the gun (to long) if unfired.

[GREENCOUNTYPETE]

my lee c309-170rf drops at .310 and i use them that way in the marlin , but .311 would be fine also

for fun plinkers without a GC try at 18-19 gr 4895 and right around 28 grains with a GC for a hunting load

[pls1911]

DLCTEX is spot on. size .311 or .312, and press on.

Among my .30 cal molds I have an older seaco 4 cavity (#15, I think).
It's supposed to cast 150 grain, but in my alloy it casts 162 with a .308 nose and .313-ish bands,
For Marlins old pre 1900 and new (microgroove), I cast soft (~9 bhn), size .312, heat treat to 25-ish BHN cap with a gas check, lube, load and shoot. Accuracy and feeding is great and these bullets will tag drop pigs at once if broadside.