30 Cal light hp mold

[ThatFishGuy]

Hello everyone! New to the forum, and just getting myself set up for casting :) . I'm sure this has likely been covered before, but I'm looking for a HP mold for my, 30-30 marlin. Preferably on the light side, since it will be for reduced loads. Can you guys suggest a good mold? I'm looking around as well but I still don't know too much as far as molds go... Appreciate any advice you have to offer!
-Sam

[YunGun]

There are many different sources & models to choose from, so as with all things it depends on your budget & a number of factors...

Assuming your 30-30 Marlin is a micro-grooved rifling model like mine, you'll likely want a .310 or .311 diameter mold. Accurate (http://accuratemolds.com/), NOE (http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/), MP (http://www.mp-molds.com/) and HollowPoint (http://www.hollowpointmold.com/) are all potential sources (& probably others, though not all offer hollowpoint versions directly - you might check the 'vendors' section too), not to mention used moulds off flea-bay, swappin&sellin threads, etc. etc.

It's pretty late, but you could still jump in on the 'extras' list for this ~130gr HP mould that we're all anxiously awaiting: MiHec-311410-Brass-Cramer-HP (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?167692-MiHec-311410-Brass-Cramer-HP), as that sounds pretty much exactly what you're looking for... Haven't had a chance to try any lightweight boolits in mine yet, other than some Sierra 'Pro Hunter' 125gr HP j-words which were fairly impressive, but 'unobtainium' right now - really looking forward to this mould.

[ThatFishGuy]

That does look good, but slightly over budget at least right now. I just dropped a chunk of change getting geared up so a mold like that will have to wait. Thanks for the info though! The rifle is indeed micro grooved. I'll check out the sources you listed

[YunGun]

I completely understand- I'm still reeling myself, but I decided I HAD to have that one! :bigsmyl2:

Perhaps a better suggestion yet would be to simply purchase or trade for some cast boolits from some members here so you can get a feel for whether or not they'll work to your satisfaction before shelling out the cash for a mold. That would allow you to try a much wider selection of bullet profiles from different mold manufacturers without having to buy a whole bunch of moulds. In fact there's a "Boolit Exchange" sub-thread in the "swappin & sellin" area that you might check out, but you won't be able to start a new thread there 'til you get some more posts under your virtual belt.

I don't yet have any HP molds, but I've got a Lee 170gr RNFP GC (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/574963/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-c309-170-f-30-caliber-309-diameter-170-grain-flat-nose-gas-check) & the NOE 311165 (http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=309) [a clone of theRanch Dog (http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/) TLC311-165-RF / C311-170-RF designs] that I understand was explicitly designed for the Marlin microgroove rifling and appears to be one of the most popular profiles for the Marlins, & I'd be happy to send you a few of those if you're interested, even though they're not hollow-point. Once that other mold comes in I fully intend to cast a ****-ton though, so I could probably be persuaded to turn loose of a few of those too :target_smiley:

[ThatFishGuy]

How difficult is it to HP a lee mold? This won't be my first mold, since I'm actually starting casting for 45acp since the Pistol boolits seemed more straight forward to learn with. But I think I'll take YunGuns advice and try to sample a few boolit styles before purchasing a mold.

[Jupiter7]

TFG,

Any reason for the HP? Planned usage might help you out here. I also have the noe 311-165RD, it is an excellent design and will work for any hunting and plinking needs. Tumble lubed and gas checked, it's my most accurate boolit to date in my limited experience.

[Echo]

Just my zwei pfennig - find a Lyman (or Ideal!) 3118 2-banger and have Eric do his HP magic. You would end up with about 100 gr GCHP - low recoil, and a proven design.

[ThatFishGuy]

The purpose for the bullet is reduced loads for small game/ close range varmints if that clears things up at all. Thanks for all the info! I'll check all those molds out. I think I would prefer a gc boolit in case I wanted to push the velocity up a bit

[ThatFishGuy]

I've been looking for that lee mold. I tried to bid for a few promising Lyman molds on flea bay but no luck. Should I be looking for a gc mold only or would a flat base be ok for this purpose?

[ThatFishGuy]

I was able to order a lee 309-113f. I think I'm in business, no I'm just debating the hp idea.... Or if it's even necessary

[Blammer]

311316 is my light boolit recommendation.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g81/blammer8mm/Cast%20boolits%20fun/DSCN7552.jpg (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/blammer8mm/media/Cast%20boolits%20fun/DSCN7552.jpg.html)

[Blammer]

and my light boolit HP recommendation is 311291

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g81/blammer8mm/Cast%20boolits%20fun/DSCN7684.jpg (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/blammer8mm/media/Cast%20boolits%20fun/DSCN7684.jpg.html)

[Cosmiceyes]

311316 is my light boolit recommendation.
I saw a 2 cavity for sale today. The fellow had it listed as 160 gr. I think it's way lighter than that!

[Forrest r]

Mihec has a mold that is specifically made for what you're looking for, the Ness safety slug. The mold casts a 135gr hp or a 170gr sp.

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[scb]

You might want to take a look at this http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?134021-NOE-311465-122Gr-RN-(-Loverin-) This GB just ended and is currently in production. Swede usually makes extras however I don't know if he makes extra HP moulds. I'd guess the best place to watch is here http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/ or contact Swede directly if your interested.

[ThatFishGuy]

Wow I really like the look of that Ness safety slug!! I've seen a couple of potentials in the gb section, but being a newer member I thought I wasn't allowed to engage in those yet?

[Blammer]

you can sign up for any GB you want at any time.

it's the Swap and Sell section you have to have time and posts for.

[Larry Gibson]

+ another for the 311316 or the 313631. Both can still be found and are excellent for what you want. Easy enough to HP them with the 1/8" Forster HP tool when you want them that way. Photo shows the 313631 HP'd for use in the .30 Carbine. I use the same and the 311316 HP'd in my own .30 cals including the 30-30.

Larry Gibson

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