cast bullets in a 30 carbine

[oneofthose]

I have a batch of bullets from a C309-120-R that I'd like to load for .30 carbine, and I'm trying to find data using Red Dot, Unique, or H110.

I've never run cast bullets through my 30 carbine, and while researching load data, I find that many have not had good luck with it.

Anyone suggestions on data, ect?

[jonk]

I use that very mold in my M1 with no ill effects. Personally I use 12.5 gr of AA 9 or the military surplus equivalent. The Red Dot and Unique probably won't function the action at safe pressure levels but could be used; the H110 I have no experience with.

4227, AA9, 2400, 4759, 4198, and other slow handgun/fast rifle powders are the norm here.

[oneofthose]

I use that very mold in my M1 with no ill effects. Personally I use 12.5 gr of AA 9 or the military surplus equivalent. The Red Dot and Unique probably won't function the action at safe pressure levels but could be used; the H110 I have no experience with.

4227, AA9, 2400, 4759, 4198, and other slow handgun/fast rifle powders are the norm here.

Do you size them? Gas checks? My mold is producing bullets that measure .312.

I was planning to use ALOX, what lubes have you used?

[Jared]

That bullet works good in my carbines. The only "problem" if you consider it one is you have to seat it quite a bit deeper than military ball. I tested a bunch of different bullets and powders and found Unique will just barely make the action function. I don't recall the load off the tope of my head but a max listed load gave me just over 1600 FPS and it would feed 100% if I loaded 12 or less in the magazine. Any more than that and it would eject but not feed the next round. I still use unique in my Ruger 30 carbine but don't in the rifles any more.

The load I use is WC 820 and adjust the powder charge until I get 1700-1750 FPS. They will feed through 15 Rd and good 30 RD magazines just fine. H110/296, 2400, AA#9 loaded to the same velocity works just as good.

Leading has never been an issue , I have even found some loads using plain base bullets that will function and not lead to any appreciable degree.

[Baja_Traveler]

Once or twice a year we have a 30 carbine side match during our usual silhouette matches - Usually to commemorate D-day, and sometimes for fun a second time. Last time I loaded up gas checked Lyman 115gr (311359) over 11.5 gr 2400 with excellent results. (sized to .308 and lubed using Carnuba Red) Very accurate out to the 200 yard rams, and knocked them over quite easily using my WWII vintage rifle. I was really amazed at how well that little rifle performed at those yardages.

[Jared]

The 311159 is a great bullet. With my favorite carbine, I get 1"-1.25" groups at 50 yards with that bullet and WC820.

[jonk]

Do you size them? Gas checks? My mold is producing bullets that measure .312.

I was planning to use ALOX, what lubes have you used?

I size to .311". Just make sure to make up a dummy round to see if it chambers ok, you don't want any resistance on chambering or it could slam fire out of battery which is a BAD thing. If it won't chamber, use whatever will. An easy way to check is to try sliding a bullet into a fired, not resized case. If it goes in freely you are good to go. Slugging your bore of course is a good idea, but a little harder with the carbine than a bolt action.

I presume you mean Lee liquid Alox? For the short barrel gun, if using gas checks and not trying to hot rod anything, alox should do; I usually use felix lube or 50/50 alox/beeswax.

My accuracy is a little better than military surplus, a little worse than new production Aguila that they issue at Camp Perry.

[oneofthose]

I size to .311". Just make sure to make up a dummy round to see if it chambers ok, you don't want any resistance on chambering or it could slam fire out of battery which is a BAD thing. If it won't chamber, use whatever will. An easy way to check is to try sliding a bullet into a fired, not resized case. If it goes in freely you are good to go. Slugging your bore of course is a good idea, but a little harder with the carbine than a bolt action.

I presume you mean Lee liquid Alox? For the short barrel gun, if using gas checks and not trying to hot rod anything, alox should do; I usually use felix lube or 50/50 alox/beeswax.

My accuracy is a little better than military surplus, a little worse than new production Aguila that they issue at Camp Perry.

Thanks. I was hoping to avoid the lube-resize-relube process, but that might be necessary. I did try to resize a couple to .308, but they pushed through reeeeally hard. I'll order a .311 and go from there.

[Larry Gibson]

With a 120 gr GC'd cast bullet i use 13 gr H110 in my M1 Carbines. That load is quite accurate and gives 1850 fps +/- depending on the carbine. I size .309 for use in the .30 Carbine BTW and WWs +2% tin Ac'd works fine.

Larry Gibson

[shotman]

i use same as baja and it works very good, also works in a rugar BH 30 bine

[JAGGUY]

I use that boolet with gas check and sized .309 with 2400. Works the action from 10.5 grains and up.
Actually that boolet works very well in most of my .30 cal milsurps.

[para45lda]

Years ago I loaded up.some 311159 gc with 296 IIRC. I had to watch OAL to fit the magazine. Function was good and I had to be careful shooting steel with them. Evidently the guy I got them from cast them from some really hard alloy and too close it will damage the plates!! My buddy told me to leave them at the house the next time I came out.

Wes

[zomby woof]

I size that boolit to .310"
OAL 1.610"
12.5 296/H110
GC
LLA, 45-45-10

[Le Loup Solitaire]

I've loaded and shot the RCBS RN with GC. Powder has been 13.5 grains of 4227. It feeds reliably, is as accurate as GI ball, doesn't lead or plug up the gas port. Sized .310 and lubed with the old NRA 50/50. Cases are kept trimmed to uniform length and a slight TC is used. Same ammo is also used in the Ruger Blackhawk with good success, but the muzzle blast would knock the ears off a stone horse. LLS

[oneofthose]

With a 120 gr GC'd cast bullet i use 13 gr H110 in my M1 Carbines. That load is quite accurate and gives 1850 fps +/- depending on the carbine. I size .309 for use in the .30 Carbine BTW and WWs +2% tin Ac'd works fine.

Larry Gibson

Do you use a magnum primer with H110? I have a Sierra manual that suggests a CCI Magnum primer for use with H110 behind a 110 gr fmj.

[leadman]

I use Winchester small rifle primers with 296 in the 30 carbine. Have had no issues.

With a 130gr Lyman 311410 the Lyman #4 manual lists Unique, 4.9gr starting, 6.1 grs. max.

[Larry Gibson]

I also use WSRs but originally used CCI 400s with no problems either.

Larry Gibson

[zomby woof]

I've had the best success with Magtech SR primers. I've used CCI and currently using Fiocchi. I don't use magnum primers.

[TCFAN]

I have a old military carbine that I have had for 35 to 40 years. It has had nothing but cast boolits shot in it since I have owned it.
The boolit I am using now is the Lyman 311316 Hollow point.They feed just fine. I size at .309 and cast out of WW with a Gator or Hornady gas check. I use BAC lube and 2400 or 4227 powder at around 1700 fps.
I have used a lot of different cast boolits over the years. I killed the biggest deer a 9 point that I have ever killed with a Lyman 311227 in this carbine.
I have never had to clean the gas port and have never had leading issues. They are a great little castboolit rifle if you get a good one...................Terry

[oneofthose]

Thanks to all who posted. I ordered a Lyman Cast Bullet Manual 4th Edition today. It sounds like that is a pretty complete resource for cast bullet reloading data. From suggestions above, I'm also considering a couple other moulds.

[zomby woof]

This one works better for me than the LEE

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=111326

[Patrick L]

I have found that everyone's carbine is unique in terms of what they like. A sizing diameter or lube or powder that shoots great for one guy shoots terribly and leads for another.

My carbine likes boolits fat. I either size .311 or shoot them as cast. I also use plainbase boolits with no problems whatsoever. I use 2400, and standard small rifle primers. If I shoot them unsized I use LLA, otherwise any of the traditional soft lubes like Tamarack or LBT works great.

This is what works in my gun. Accuracy is as good as j stuff, and no leading issues. As they say, your results may differ.

[ELFEGO BACA]

I use a flat base round noze flat point bullet in my 30 carbine as well as my 32-20 Marlin.

The mold was a group buy 6 cavity from this website.

It works great in both guns.

The bullets are sized to .312.

I use 12.5 grains of 2400 for the carbine.