Problem with 311291 bullets chambering

[woody402]

I cast 311291 bullets for use in my Marlin 30-30. I recently picked up another marlin but my cast load will not chamber in the newer 90's era 336. My other 336 was made in 65'. The bullets appear to be engaging the rifling in the newer gun and all the rounds work in my older gun. The bullets are crimped in the groove and sized to .309. Thanks for any info.

[rond]

Trim the case a little shorter for that gun. Some Marlins have a very short leade.

[fourarmed]

I have quite a few .30 caliber molds, but about the only ones that will fit my Marlin are 311041, 3118, and 311466. My 311291 sticks 'way down in the case if loaded short enough to chamber. Works fine in my Winchester 64A and Contenders, but not the Marlin.

[woody402]

That what I kind of figured. A short leade in my newer gun. I could definitely see the micro grooves on the bullet.

[Char-Gar]

Many 30-30 leverguns both Marlin and Winchester has little or no throat/leade/freebore. There are bullets that don't require such, or the rifles can be throated with a throating reamer.

Here is a drawing of 311407 Mod I designed some years ago. It can be seated and crimped in any of the multiple lube grooves and works quite well in such rifles. Nominal weight is 165 grains. The top two bands are .301-302 to bore ride if you choose. I crimp in the groove just below the top to grooves for use in short throat 30-30 leverguns and a 30 Rem. pump gun. Seated this way, the gas check in still in the case neck.

I didn't have short throat rifles in mind when I put the specs together for the mold, but it worked out to be a very good bullet for that use.

There has been a number of runs of this design by several makers and they are around. I have two or the original Lee run and another NOE.

[Ed_Shot]

Had the same problem with a 336 and an H&R 30-30 trying to use 311291. I can tell you that I found Lee's 309-150-F sized .310 over Aliant 2400 16.0 gr is superb in both weapons.

[Hurricane]

I have a 1949 Marlin 30-30 that will not chamber just like your's is doing. Lyman 311041 works fine for a 170 grain bullet. If more bollit is desired I use the Saeco 307 which is advertised as 180 grains but really falls from the mold at 190 grains. The Saeco 307 looks just like the Lyman 311041 except it is a little longer. Get a good boolit that fits and use it for that gun.

[woody402]

I will just shoot them in my one 336 that chambers them and look for another mould that will work better for both. Maybe a 311041 or a 311407. I really like the looks of that bullet.

[cbrick]

Many 30-30 leverguns both Marlin and Winchester has little or no throat/leade/freebore. There are bullets that don't require such, or the rifles can be throated with a throating reamer.

Here is a photo of my 1967 Winnie 30-30 with zero leade taken through a bore scope and is how it left the factory. I picked it up for a song because nobody could make it shoot. This is the very first thing the boolit encountered leaving the case neck. Any wonder this rifle leaded something terrible? A throating reamer made this a fine shooter.

Rick

84400

[Char-Gar]

Here is a photo of my 1967 Winnie 30-30 with zero leade taken through a bore scope and is how it left the factory. I picked it up for a song because nobody could make it shoot. This is the very first thing the boolit encountered leaving the case neck. Any wonder this rifle leaded something terrible? A throating reamer made this a fine shooter.

Rick

84400

That looks like some I have seen, not much more than a slight bevel at the end of the barrel in front of the chamber. I have a 1960 Marlin 336 (Texan) that looks like that and a 1972 336A that handles 311291 just fine. I also have a 1954 Win. 94 with a decent leade. There just seems to be no rhyme or reason with these folks that make 30-30 lever guns. One is fine and the next one looks light your pic. Go figure!

[jimb16]

Check the nose diameter. Some 311291 molds leave the nose slightly over .308.

[Char-Gar]

It is not the nose on 311291 that gives the problem but the full diameter driving band in front of the case mouth.

[MtGun44]

In .45-70, which has the same design in Win 86s recently sold, the 405 Rem Jbullet is a two diameter one, and is
the only one that will work in my 86. Horn 350 will not chamber.

My .35 Rem Marlin has about the same throat, near nothing.

Bill