New 94 30-30

[Idaho Mule]

A couple weeks ago I got a "new" old Winchester 94 in 30-30. Been chomping at the bit to try it and got some brass found, dies ordered, loads researched, etc.... This morning I loaded up 20 rounds. I have no mould as of yet for the traditional 150 to 170 weights so I went with what I have, rcbs 32 swc 98 gr. Cast of 9lb WW + 1lb 50/50 solder they weigh 100.5 gr from my mould and measure .316. I prepped 20 new Winchester cases with my new rcbs cowboy dies (nice set of dies). Then sized and lubed my boolits to .313 to fill the lube grooves. I then sized them down to .310 in another step to fit the 30-30. Used cci 200 lr primers, 10 gr. of Unique, seated and then crimped. I was skeptical of them feeding from the tube but they do fine. I found an old beer can lurking at the edge of the yard and let fly (about 30 ft). She is a little high at that range but I took a total of three shots and all looks good. Weather and time permitting tomorrow I will hopefully shoot paper and post pics. I gotta get down to the arena and push steers for a bit now. JW

[TXGunNut]

Just missed a GB on the NOE 311041, maybe he has a few extra.

[Lizard333]

My pre 64 loves the 311041. It's now the only mold I cast for mine. I consistently take jackrabbits at a 150 yards. Very good mold for that rifle.

[1Shirt]

Have shot all weights from 90gr. thru 190 gr. in my 94 and had sucess, depending on load/charges with all of them. The 30-30 is truely an all around fun rifle.
1Shirt!

[NMLRA Guy]

It is hard to find a better mould for the .30-30 than the 311041

[runfiverun]

smiling...
the 041 is a fine mold.
i just lube sized more of those 150's if you don't wanna wait..

[Idaho Mule]

Update, thanks r5r, may take you up on that yet. I did get a hold of Swede this morning and ordered me up one of the 311041's, thanks for the advice guys. I did not get time to shoot today or take pics, as a matter of fact I just goofed off all day.The rcbs 150 is on back order every where I have checked, but I think that may have been God smiling down on me in a way. Now that I looked at the NOE site I can see future buys there. I got a whole stable full of 32-20's to feed. JW

[TXGunNut]

Glad you got ahold of Swede, his moulds are works of art. Can't wait to use mine but I do get to take it out and admire it from time to time. I think you'll be happier with the NOE 311041 than you would have been with the RCBS 150. If that doesn't work I suspect Lee will make a Ranch Dog mould for you.

[northmn]

Don't overlook the Lee 150 FN. tht was a very accurate bullet in my 30-30.

DP

[shtur]

Idaho Mule, I have a newer Win 94 30-30 with the cross bolt safety, is that the same as your's? I'm interesting in knowing what good boolit mold I should get for it.

[Idaho Mule]

shtur, no sir, mine was manufactured in 1956 according to serial #. The guy I got it from got it from his dad, who bought it at a gunshow in Moscow, ID about 25 yrs ago. The "Dad" is over 90 now and been moved to nursing home-not good for old cowboys. Sorry for straying there, as I said mine is pre 64 so no safety. I will keep you posted on what I find with the 311041 for sure. I do believe that the rcbs 150 FN would be a great mould to try to. I feel myself breaking down here, as another member has offered some to me. JW

[LUCKYDAWG13]

gotta love the 311401 in a 94 30/30

[Idaho Mule]

Here is a short update. I have been busier than a one legged man in a butt-kicking contest here lately. After getting back from watching son shoot trap, I fired up and cast some 32's and 358's, got feeding chores done and then had a few minutes to shoot a group with the new to me 30-30. I set a target out at 25 yds, rested over the back corner of the pick-up and cranked off 6 rounds. The loads are my swaged down rcbs 32-98 swc over 10 grains of unique. All went inside of 1-1/2" so I am happy. One day I will get time to really wring it out but I do believe those little 100 grainers could have some use as chicken and squirrel killers. Time to sit back, eat snacks and watch the big game. JW

[Idaho Mule]

When I stopped to pick up mail after work my new NOE mould was there!! I have to say that Swede does a wonderful job, this sample is definitely an example of very fine crafsmanship. I looked it over good and put it in the loading room for a bit until I get it cleaned up, then run it thru a couple heat and cool cycles per Swedes directions that came with it. Hope to get it ready within a few days and get to casting with it. The mould I got is a 2 cavity, one gc and one plain base. Should do everything I need to do. JW

[runfiverun]

plain base.....
hmm i see some unique in your future

[Idaho Mule]

Got the new NOE mould all cleaned up with hot soapy water and tooth brush. Dried it all off and went to put it in oven as I noticed wife had it set on 350 degrees as she cooked dinner.The mould and I escaped the kitchen, me slightly bruised and the mould slightly confused-- I don't think it had heard that kind of language before. Anyway, AFTER dinner I was able to get the mould into the oven for some heat, cool cycles as Swede has suggested in his directions for new moulds. Am now on the second cycle and will hopefully finish up tomorrow with a couple more. Run, the thought of Unique did cross my mind- it seems to do pretty good with those light little 100 grainers. JW

[runfiverun]

put a couple of casting cycles in it.
just a couple of short ones, up to temp and let it cool off, while you use another mold.
then you'll be good to go.

[Idaho Mule]

run, thanks for that tip, will start casting with it as soon as possible. Stupid work thing gets in the way at times- had to drive clear to Weippe today and got back late. I hope your troubles are getting better. Will report as soon as casting is done. JW

[Idaho Mule]

Another Weippe day but I made it home in time to try the NOE mould. Boy those aluminum moulds are different than iron for sure. Took quite a few casts to get it up to temp in my 30 degree weather here. That mould is awsome!!! Once I got the wrinkles out the boolits started falling pretty good, what I really like is they just drop out when you open it. No beating the hinge pin, just open and they drop. I do believe things will go much better temp wise in a couple months when our ambient temps warm up some- I cast out in the shop- un heated. Anyway I got some good boolits and will report back when they are loaded and shot. JW

[runfiverun]

yep the aluminum molds look like they are gonna just go all frosty on you.
that's when i turn the alloy temp down.
and increase my casting speed.
the boolits turn silver at this point and fill out real well.
the pile just get's bigger and bigger.
i like to waterdrop my rifle boolits too [shrug] just do, but it works for me.

[Idaho Mule]

Well I got a chance to cast some more today with the NOE 311041. The more times I handle that mould the better I like it. I started out casting some 35 cal stuff just to stock up. Allways need 38 and 357 boolits, and i like to rotate as casting so I was using rcbs 158 cm and rcbs 200 fn for the 356. After I got enough of them I started in with the new NOE mould and cast about 60 or so of them. I must have splashed a little lube towards the cavities as I lubed the sprue plate because I got some bad boolits for a bit. Any way I got enough good ones to load up 20 of each gc and pb. I even ran them across the scale and have some good ones to try once they rest for a week or so. Will update as things progress. JW

[runfiverun]

nice...

[TXGunNut]

Mine's still sitting in the box with all my other moulds. Very disappointed in my 30-30 today, may need to break in that NOE mould soon.