Overweight RCBS mould

[KirkD]

I ordered up a RCBS 30-180-FN mould so that I could shoot 180 grain bullets in my 30-30. I casted up a bunch of water quenched bullets using wheel weights with a bit of tin thrown in. To my surprise, the bullets weigh 200 grains! I know my scale is good and is properly calibrated. The scale gives me good weights on other cast bullets for other calibers, but this RCBS bullet is way over weight.

Has anyone used 200 grain cast GC boolets in their 30-30? I'm not sure I like this, as none of my load books have loads for the 30-30 that use 200 grain boolets. Why would this mould drop them so badly overweight? Should I send the mould directly to RCBS for a replacement?

[swamp]

I would give RCBS a call and see what they say. Their customer service is real good.

[LAH]

Kirk my mould cast at 190, that's lubed & checked & from 92-6-2 alloy. From wheel weights I'm close to 200 when all is said & done.

I use 180 grain loading data but be sure to start at the bottom & work up. I don't think you'll have problems, my M94 will shoot these in 1 1/2" at a 100 for three shots. I use a Lyman 66 rear sight.

[KirkD]

I weighed a naked boolit on a different scale and got the same weight, 200 grains. With lube and gas check it is around 202 grains. I also have some 150 grain boolits cast from RCBS 150 grain mould. Lubed and gas checked, they come in around 159 grains. I'm alright with using a 200 grain bullet provided they are accurate. I'll lube a GC up a few and try them out at the range.

[Suo Gan]

I believe RCBS is using linotype for their weights and sizes.

[stubshaft]

I believe RCBS is using linotype for their weights and sizes.

Exactly.

[ReloaderFred]

The softer your alloy, the heavier the bullet. If you have some linotype available, cast some bullets with that alloy and they'll be closer to the target weight.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[Bret4207]

Freds got it, it's your alloy. My copy of that mould drops them about 190-195 IIRC and it's a fantastic mould for all my 30 cal rifle cartridges. Just work up a bit and you'll be fine. If the weight really bugs you add some tin to your mix.

[bruce drake]

If you use a wheelweight alloy, you'll find you'll be heavier than what the Mold is described as with Linotype. I have a 45 caliber LEE 230gr Tumble Lube Truncated Cone mold that drops the bullets out at 240gr on a regular basis. It shoots fine and I just use load data for the next higher bullet weight.

Bruce

[hornsurgeon]

i had that mold and it cast just under 200gr w/ ww's. pretty standard with that mold

[KirkD]

Thanks, men. It's good to know I have a normal mould.

[barkerwc4362]

As was previous stated the older RCBS designs weights were based upon linotype. I generally expect bullets cast from these molds to weight 5% to 10% more when cast with my alloys. I just take this into consideration when I load for the bullet. I have a lot of the RCBS bullet molds and really wish they made some of their designs in 4 cavity.

Bill

[pdawg_shooter]

If you use a wheelweight alloy, you'll find you'll be heavier than what the Mold is described as with Linotype. I have a 45 caliber LEE 230gr Tumble Lube Truncated Cone mold that drops the bullets out at 240gr on a regular basis. It shoots fine and I just use load data for the next higher bullet weight.

Bruce

Exact weight my mold drops at.