Cast Hollow Points in the .30-30 Levergun by Glen E. Fryxell

[Glen]

I have the 31141 HP and like it very much. Mostly I've shot that bullet in my .30-30s. At 2000 fps it is a real bomb, and is probably best reserved for varmint hunting. At more moderate velocities (like 1600-1700 fps) it is a dandy hunting bullet. For a few details, see:

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/fryxell/casthollowpoints.htm

[Bret4207]

Another fine article Glen, thanks!

[Dale53]

Glen;
I enjoyed your article. It provided real, usable information to any of us who use the 30-30 for hunting.

Dale53

[RBak]

Glen;
I enjoyed your article. It provided real, usable information to any of us who use the 30-30 for hunting.

Dale53


Same what Dale53 says...very enjoyable reading.

Russ...

[Denver]

Glen,

Great article and parallels the experience I've had using the Lyman 311041 in my 30/30 rifles over the years. A couple years ago I decided to try it in HP, so bought one of the Forster hollow pointers to use with my hand trimmer. I was really impressed with the increased performance in game and just blasting water filled jugs. I load them using 22 grs of RL7 and get about 1750fps or so with good 100 yd accuracy. The hand cranked version is a little slow, but probably not much slower than casting HPs. More recently, I bought one of their power trimmers to use in a drill press. Much faster and easier with the added bonus of being able to use the same setup for trimming cases. I've used mine for HPs in 30/30, 35 Rem., 7.62x39 and several pistol calibers as well. I'd definitely recommend the Forster hollow pointer to anyone doesn't have the HP molds.

Denver :drinks: :castmine:

[BCB]

I also read the article on the hollow pointed 311041’s and I have always been wanting to try my Forester Hollow Pointer with this bullet, but I didn’t know if the meplat was wide enough to allow the 1/8” drill bit to be used. I use the 1/8" bit for 358429's and 44-250-K's. Forester offers a hollow pointer for rifle bullets and it has a 1/16” drill bit, but I never really thought I had a need for that set-up. Anyhow, I tried the 1/8” one today (drilled in a 0.2” cavity) and I will try to post a picture of the results. Haven’t shot any yet.

Denver—what size drill bit did you use and how deep?

So here goes with the pictures…BCB

[Denver]

I also read the article on the hollow pointed 311041’s and I have always been wanting to try my Forester Hollow Pointer with this bullet, but I didn’t know if the meplat was wide enough to allow the 1/8” drill bit to be used. I use the 1/8" bit for 358429's and 44-250-K's. Forester offers a hollow pointer for rifle bullets and it has a 1/16” drill bit, but I never really thought I had a need for that set-up. Anyhow, I tried the 1/8” one today (drilled in a 0.2” cavity) and I will try to post a picture of the results. Haven’t shot any yet.

Denver—what size drill bit did you use and how deep?

So here goes with the pictures…BCB

I also have the 1/8 inch bit and have varied the cavity depth from about an 1/8 inch to 3/8 or so. I've even used it to HP the RCBS 357 180 gr silhouette boolit. The meplat on that one is barely bigger than the bit itself, but if you're careful lining it up, you can get it centered OK. Your drill guide looks different than mine. Is it the one that came with your hollow pointer?

Denver

[txbirdman]

I have a Forester case trimmer with the HP attachment also but the unit is not large enough to get a 30/30 loaded round into. I can only do handgun cartridges. I thought about seating a 311041 in .30 Luger brass, HPing the bullet, pulling and reloading in the 30/30 but that's a lot of trouble. Is there an extended frame for my trimmer or is there another version?

[jhalcott]

Would it be "better" or even possible to use a drill press to do this, BUT holding the case or bullet in the chuck and the drill bit in the vice. This would eliminate the possible off center hole in the bullet. Am I just making the whole thing MORE problematic??

[Denver]

I have a Forester case trimmer with the HP attachment also but the unit is not large enough to get a 30/30 loaded round into. I can only do handgun cartridges. I thought about seating a 311041 in .30 Luger brass, HPing the bullet, pulling and reloading in the 30/30 but that's a lot of trouble. Is there an extended frame for my trimmer or is there another version?


Have you checked to see if it's possible to reposition either or both the collet holder or cutter shaft holder to increase the distance between them? The one I have is able to do loaded 30/30s with no trouble.

[Bob B]

In his book on reloading Nonte tells of using the neck from a cartridge that has a slit side to a bullet in a lathe or vice for holow pointing.Bob B

[BCB]

Denver—pictures of the “new and improved universal” hollow pointer (right one). The other one (left one next to nickel) was purchased years ago (1970's) and is specific for the 357 Magnum. At that time they offered 2—one for the 357 the other for the 44. Now, the universal one for everything in the whole wide world!!! The 30-30 fits into the 357 Magnum one real nicely…

txbirdman—picture shows 3 lengths. They are 6.625”, 5.625”, and 4.625”. Note that the one in the center has different holes so adjustment is possible. These bases are very difficult to use as it is mostly experimental as to which one to use for different cartridge lengths. The center base, the adjustable one, did come with the trimmer many years ago—probably in the early 1970’s…
Just checked my original base. It is parts number CTB101. Now they offer CTB102 (cases < 0.374”) and CTB103 (cases > 0.375”). Got them all…

Good-luck…BCB

[hicard]

Read the article and found it most informative. I shot my Buck this year with a 308 using the 311041 hp mold and it did great. I also emailed Lyman requesting they make hp rifle molds again.