30-30 loads for the Lee 150gr GC @ BNH 12

[Old Kid]

I've shot some 38 spec and 44 mag loads with cast boolits in the recent past with some success, but I'm trying to figure out both alloy and loads for a Marlin 336 in 30-30. Does anyone have suggestions for loads using a Lee 150gr FP gas checked boolit, cast at BNH of 12? Right now I'm sizing it to .309.

From a long-time lurker and a recent joiner.

Old Kid

[Wayne S]

Depends on what you want to use it for ? for "plinking", try 8.5 to 10.0 Unique , and try pistol & rifle primers. IF you have the option, try sizing some .310. Also consider looking at the Ranch Dog molds as they were designed with the Marlin rifleings in mind.

[Old Kid]

Thanks, Wayne. I'll definitely start with punching holes in paper. I'd like to work up a load to use on deer or smaller game. My first goal is to get a good, accurate load, that doesn't lead the barrel.
I found out about the Ranch Dog molds after I got the Lee mold. Same thing for sizing to .310. I figure on starting with what I have and working from there. I think a Ranch Dog 165gr or 170gr mold will be in my future plans. Thanks for a starting point. I've got the Unique and both types of primers.

Old Kid

[excess650]

If its microgroove, you might need to size larger. I use .311" in my 336CB and its not microgroove.

[imashooter2]

For my Marlin 30AS, I size at .311 and my favorite .30/30 load with this boolit is 15.5 grains of Alliant 2400 and a standard primer. A little over 1,700 fps in my rifle and all the accuracy the platform can provide.

[DLCTEX]

+1 on .311 for Marlin. Lee 150 fp over 18 gr. 4759 for 1800 fps.

[Wayne S]

What is the "as cast" Dia. of your bullets ??, IF they are .311-.312, you might consider trying them "as cast", either with a little LLA or melt a little lube and "dip" your bullets up to the lube grooves and try that.
Leading is caused by under sized bullets as much as by to soft an alloy

[Rocky Raab]

Load-wise, an even 16 of 2400 with a standard primer is a very nice load indeed. Diameter and lube you'll have to work out on your own.

[plainsman456]

+1 on using 2400 with this boolit.

[BoolitBill]

I have had good success with 16.5gr of IRM 4227 for approx 1650 fps out of my Winchester. I also use Carnuba red and size to .310

[Old Kid]

I did not check the size of my 150gr. boolits diameter before I sized them to .309. I'll be casting some more this weekend, just to find out. Thanks to everyone. I've got work to do, but now I feel like I'm getting somewhere.

Old Kid

[Old Kid]

I cast some more of the Lee 150gr boolits last night. As I can best interpret the reading on my calipers, they are between .310 and .311 in diameter. I dropped them on an old folded towel and samples from the run show to be around a BHN of 12 using my Lee tester. I'm going to try a a couple of starting loads of Unique and 2400, lubing with liquid alox.

Old Kid

[Jack Stanley]

I'm currently using my bolt action 30-30 with a LBT SP style bullet that weighs in at just under a hundred sixty grains . Cases are R-P , primers are WLR , powder is surplus 4895 at 29.5 grains . The gas check is seated right at the junction of the neck and shoulder and I'm using a VERY slight crimp . The lube is Alox in three of the grooves and it leaves a nice lube star at the muzzle . Accuracy is good for peep sights and the same load seated a little deeper works well as a two shot from my 336 . In fact with my Marlin it engraves the rifling rather deeply with the bolt rifle it's just away from the rifling .

There's not much of a flat on the front of this bullet but when it goes of it feels very much like a factory round . I'm sure your flat nose bullet will work much better for your intended purpose .

With the Marlin , .311" works fine , the bolt rifle I think could stand to be .310" with some brands of brass .

Jack

[pipehand]

The 2400 load is a good one, but my 336 prefers 20.5 grains of 4198 with the same weight boolit, sized to .3105. I just picked up 400 once fired mixed 30-30 cases at my local indoor range. There must not be as many people reloading them as they were 10 cents a piece while 30-06 was 20 cents each.

[Marlin Junky]

You said cast at BHN 12. Do you mean you checked your boolits shortly after casting and they registered 12? Are you filing a flat on the side of the boolit in order to use the Lee hardness tester? The reason for my questions are twofold. 1) It may become a little difficult to get a BHN 12 boolit to shoot well from a post '55 336; and 2) Your boolits may become somewhat harder than BHN 12 after aging for a few weeks. Did you mention somewhere about the origin of your alloy? Some of the alloys I've conjured up from various sources have gone from thumbnail scratchable after a few days to #2-like or harder in a couple weeks. The latter would be preferred until one gets some experience with a particular rifle under his belt. In other words, if you're just getting started with a new-ish 336 and your boolit alloy is mostly WW metal, it's best to let it age a few weeks after casting to allow the hardness to stabilize... think consistency.

Also, .309" boolits could take you to gas leak city.

MJ

[Larry Gibson]

MJ

The RCBS 30-150-FN drops at .309 when cast of WW+2% tin. I size and seat the GCs at .309 also. Shoots just wonderful over 2400 or 4759 in my 30-30......but then it's a Winchester...........sorry, just couldn't resist........:-P

Larry Gibson

[imashooter2]

MJ

The RCBS 30-150-FN drops at .309 when cast of WW+2% tin. I size and seat the GCs at .309 also. Shoots just wonderful over 2400 or 4759 in my 30-30......but then it's a Winchester...........sorry, just couldn't resist........:-P

Larry Gibson


No need to be embarrassed, make do with what you have. Perhaps someday your fortunes will improve and you can upgrade. [smilie=1:

[Marlin Junky]

MJ

The RCBS 30-150-FN drops at .309 when cast of WW+2% tin. I size and seat the GCs at .309 also. Shoots just wonderful over 2400 or 4759 in my 30-30......but then it's a Winchester...........sorry, just couldn't resist........:-P

Larry Gibson

Yep, them Wincheeseters are a different caliber, ain't they? Most of my 336s in 30WCF could be mis-stamped and probably should read 31WCF. :mrgreen:

MJ

[Larry Gibson]

Yep, them Wincheeseters are a different caliber, ain't they? Most of my 336s in 30WCF could be mis-stamped and probably should read 31WCF. :mrgreen:

MJ

Yup, that's the problem with Marlins....been trying to imatate the M94 for a century now and still haven't got it right........[smilie=s:

Larry Gibson

[Marlin Junky]

Yup, that's the problem with Marlins....been trying to imatate the M94 for a century now and still haven't got it right........[smilie=s:

Larry Gibson

Larry, you stepped right in it. The 336 design predates the Wincheeseter M94! Sans the round bolt, the basic 336 design hasn't changed since 1893. Nevertheless, this isn't the place for a debate on firearm design.

MJ

[Larry Gibson]

MJ

I realize a Marlin fan (hense your name?) wouldn't be up on Winchester designs. Both were designed during the same time period. The M94 was on J. B.s bench for some time before Winchester released it in '94 as the M94. I seriously doubt J.B. plaguerized anything from Marlin.....he didn't have to.

Besides all that my remarks were just in jest....no sense getting in a nut role over it so I'll just back out and leave you Marlin owners with your problems.......:kidding:

Larry Gibson

[Taps]

Thats the problem with Marlin owners , their skin is as thin as their micro-groove rifling!!!:wink:

[Old Kid]

You said cast at BHN 12. Do you mean you checked your boolits shortly after casting and they registered 12? Are you filing a flat on the side of the boolit in order to use the Lee hardness tester? The reason for my questions are twofold. 1) It may become a little difficult to get a BHN 12 boolit to shoot well from a post '55 336; and 2) Your boolits may become somewhat harder than BHN 12 after aging for a few weeks. Did you mention somewhere about the origin of your alloy? Some of the alloys I've conjured up from various sources have gone from thumbnail scratchable after a few days to #2-like or harder in a couple weeks. The latter would be preferred until one gets some experience with a particular rifle under his belt. In other words, if you're just getting started with a new-ish 336 and your boolit alloy is mostly WW metal, it's best to let it age a few weeks after casting to allow the hardness to stabilize... think consistency.

Also, .309" boolits could take you to gas leak city.

MJ

I am filing a flat spot when I check the hardness on my boolits. I wish my boolits didn't have time to "age", but the way my schedule works that will probably happen. I'll check the BHN before I load them, just to see what happens. Thanks for more suggestions on loads.

As for the Marlin vs Winchester debate... I'm gonna wimp out on that one. I just want mine to shoot well. And if I find out something that helps someone else, so much the better!

Old Kid

[ocelott]

If you are running a BHN 12 GC cast I'd start a little light in the powder range - something like 7.0gr unique or 14.0gr 2400 and slowly work up from there