A Question for the Wise Ones

[Mark Conry]

I recently purchased a Marlin 336 in .30-30.

I have cast some bullets with the Lyman 311041 using Lyman #2. The bullets are coming out of the mold at .3085" +/- a tad.
The barrel sluged at .3085".
I have read previous posts that recommended a bullet sized at .311 for the Marlin Microgroove barrel.
So, if I run a .3085 bullet through a .311 sizer die, the gas check will be .311 and the bullet .3085. Does anybody see an issue here? If so, what shall I do?

Many thanks for help!

[RickinTN]

Probably will have issues. The .311 check will expand the case neck while seating and you will have little to no neck tension on the bullet body itself. I have seated checks with a .311" sizer onto a .310" bullet and had pretty good results however. I think my bigger concern would be using a +/- bore sized bullet. I shoot several Marlins with micro-groove barrels and use bullets of .310 to .311. This usually requires a custom mold. The only way to tell is to give it a try.
Good Luck,
Rick

[BruceB]

Well, now....

I have loaded OVER 6,000 cast bullets for my M1A, and every single one had a gascheck and was sized at .311". I had no problems at all, and this is of course an autoloader, with the attendant stresses imposed by feeding etc..

.311" is my standard diameter for all the various .30-caliber rifles I feed, and it works very well for me.

I do think that bullet is rather undersize, at .3085".

[btroj]

Yeah, I see potential problems. I also see you getting very good at removing lead from a barrel.