Marlin 30-30Win Boolit/Powder recommendations?

[YunGun]

Howdy all - Awesome site! :Luvcastboolits:
Been lurkin for awhile, trying to soak up the abundance of information found here.

Just started casting/reloading earlier this year - initially the plan was just to feed my newly-rediscovered shooting addiction, but it seems to have turned into another hobby all it's own; so far I've wound up spending a lot more time casting & reloading than shooting (& had almost as much fun doing it!) :shock::lol:

I had originally planned to reload 30-30Win & 40S&W, but had an unfortunate encounter with a hot round (courtesy of my 'experienced reloader' friend/mentor :evil:) that sidelined the rifle (& kinda scared me away from reloading for it too).

In the mean-time, I've been busy churning out lotsa .40's, sorta honing my skills at casting & reloading - Just started in on my 2nd pound of powder about a week ago...

Anyway, I finally got the rifle repaired (had to replace the barrel) & ready to delve back into casting/reloading for the 30-30.[smilie=w:
I don't really plan on doing much with it but pokin' holes in paper & blowin' up some milk jugs, etc., so my main focus is just going to be cheap plinking ammo. Right now I have ~100 Hornady 160gr FTX j-word bullets (http://www.hornady.com/store/30-Cal-.308-160-gr-FTX-for-30-30-Win/)(definitely NOT cheap plinking ammo!:roll:) & a couple hundred or so cast 130grain gas-checked .308 boolits (originally intended for an AK) that were given to me, & I'd like to start with those. I'll also be picking up a new mold for when those run out; haven't yet decided, but was considering the Lee C309-113-F (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/480790/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-c309-113-f-30-caliber-309-diameter-113-grain-flat-nose-gas-check).
Anyone using that particular boolit in a 30-30? How's it performing for you?
Any other suggestions?
Any advantages/disadvantages of this bullet weight/profile vs other more standard weights/profiles besides (potentially) lighter recoil & more boolits/lb of lead?
Since I don't plan on full-house loads, could I get by with a design that does *not* use a gas check? Any suggestions where I might find such a beast?


Since I don't yet have any rifle powder, I'm looking for suggestions/recommendations on a powder also; preferrably one powder for the current inventory of Hornady FTX's & cast 130gr GC boolits, as well as the prospective 113-grainers (& possibly even the more standard 150/170gr).
Is that too wide of a weight range to realistically be covered by a single powder? Which powder(s) would you recommend for this application?

[Baja_Traveler]

For a light plinking load, I like the Lyman 311008. It's a 115 grain plain base originaly intended for the 32-20, but makes a great 30-30 boolit. I Load mine up with 8.2 gr Unique and it makes for a round that goes off like a .22 in my 26" Buffalo Bill, and is my go-to chicken load in silhouette. For Pigs out to Rams I use the 170gr Lyman 311041.
IMHO Lyman mold's are a much better mold than the Lee.

[Lonegun1894]

I have not used the 113gr boolit, but have both the 150FPGC and the 170FPGC. I size mine to .311" as .309" leaded up my bore so badly that I almost couldn't see any rifling after 20rds. For plinking/play loads I use 10grs Unique, while my hunting loads are 28.0grs 3031 for the 170gr and 30grs 3031 for the 150gr. Now I dont know why this is, but my rifle has a definite preference for the 170gr boolit over the 150gr. While I know both are serviceable, I usually get 1.5-2.5" groups at 100yds with the 170, but 3-4.5" with the 150gr. And those are the most accurate loads I have been able to work up with those two boolits after trying several powders and sizing the boolits to different diameters also. As to your question regarding un-gaschecked boolits, I have only tried one commercial 170gr type that was labeled .309" but dont remember the brand anymore, and it was a total failure in my .30-30s and .308s. I am sure this was due to sizing. Now I do get decent performance with the Lee 314SWC90gr sized to .311" in my .30-30 and a couple others, but I only push those with 2.7grs of Unique, so it is a very light load that handles more like a .22LR. I use this load for small game hunting and killing pests pests in my garnen, but the accuracy is limited by range. I dont know why, but this load will stay on a squirrel or rabbit head out to 35yds, is good enough for body shots on same out to 75, and then falls apart to the point of not staying on a 8-9" paper plate at 100yds. So it may or may not serve your purposes. Best of luck an stay safe.

[wv109323]

Make sure the 130 gn. gas checks are compatible with a tubular magazine. No round nose or spire points.
My choice of powders have already been mentioned : Unique, 2400, and IMR 30-31.

[pls1911]

Ranch Dog/ NOE 165 grain or Saeco #316 165 grain, all gas checked designs cast soft, heat treated hard, lube/sized .312, relubed with JPW/LLA.
26 grains Reloader 7, delivers the goods around 1900 fps.

Find your sweet load and stick to it.
Chasing various plinking vs hunting loads all are equally CHEAP, and don't warrant the extra time to fiddle with 'em.

[FergusonTO35]

Hey there, I just started loading cast in the .30 WCF myself. the Lee 113 grain wil be a dandy bool it for your rifle. I'm using the very similar Ranch Dog 115 grain boolit right now. Size to .310 or .311 and try a medium or magnum pistol powder. Chances are your .40 S&W powder will work. I'm shooting the 150 grain Lee gas check boolit in mine with IMR 4895. Very soft shooting and good accuracy, I would start at 25 grains or so and work your way up to the published max until you find the sweet spot your rifle likes.