one mold for 30-30

[Jevyod]

Like the title says, if you had only one mold for a 30-30, what would it be? I am helping a guy I know get started in casting. (if you want to know more, there is a thread in the helping hands section.) Money is an issue, so I will be helping him purchase a mold. But we don't have the luxury of trying several different ones, so what we get, we will use. It is a marlin 336, not sure of the year. Application would be for pa whitetails, along with occasional groundhogs. I have heard good things about the ranch dog 165 grain design. I want to keep it as light as possible, so the lead stretches farther. However, I want enough punch to take deer down to 100 yards. Thoughts, comments? I cast for 45-70, 9mm, have cast for 35 rem, but never 30-30.

[MBTcustom]

I would say use this one.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/720790/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-c309-150-f-30-caliber-309-diameter-150-grain-flat-nose-gas-check?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Use 10 grains of Unique (that's 700 shots per pound of powder) and NOE gator checks.
Dip lube with White Label Lube's 2700+ and enjoy!!!
http://www.lsstuff.com/

Here's the sizer you need:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/501819/lee-bullet-lube-and-size-kit-309-diameter?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Here are a couple other bullets I would highly recommend but they are more expensive, and you said you're on a budget. For what it's worth:
Any of the RCBS offerings (with a steady eye on the 30-180-SP)
http://www.midwayusa.com/find?sortby=1&itemsperpage=20&dimensionids=4294846302&newcategorydimensionid=15582

NOE Ranch Dog 165
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=71_75&products_id=367

My own design the 30XCB-FN from Accurate Molds:
31-160G (loved by 30 caliber rifles everywhere)
http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=31-160G-D.png

[gpidaho]

I've had very good results in my 30-30 Handi rifle with the load Tim mentioned above. ^^^^^^^ GP

[str8shot426]

No expert here. I have had excellent accuracy with the inexpensive lee 309-170fn with 10 grains of unique. Like Goodsteel said. 700rnds per pound.

[Beagle333]

Ranch Dog 165, for sure.

[rintinglen]

For the money, Goodsteel's advice is rock solid. For a little more money though,there are other options.
The fly in the ointment, if there is one, is that there is a distinct possibility that mold will cast under-size for your Marlin. If it is a micro groove rifle, I like the RD design better, but it does cost more. I would go with a Lee .311 sizer to better fit the typical Marlin microgroove barrels. One other boolit to consider is the classic 311-291, nearly 100 years old but still one of the more accurate boolits out there.
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/images/N.O.E._Bullet_Moulds_311_169gr._RN_170_gr_Sketch.J pg http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/images/N.O.E._Bullet_Moulds_SC311-165-RF_162_gr_Sketch.Jpg IMO, either of these will work well for your purposes. NOE is outstanding, both in quality and in service. They cost more than the LEE, a lot more, but they are better.

[popper]

I tried both versions of the original RD, plus Carolina cast version in my MG 336, sized 311. All had nose problems, have to seat deep and not to the crimp groove. They all shot good, just difficult to remove a live round - really had to watch seating depth. I think the 311041 is heavier (180). 160G looks good, I use the 145C PB & 165C GC as I coat & don't need the groves. I know Lees are inexpensive but my 40SW moulds are worn out. I've never gotten really good results with 2400 or unique in the 30/30.

[jmort]

The old style Ranch Dog is better for pre-Remington Marlins and the new style is better for Remington Marlins.

[Land Owner]

Try the specific design for 30-30 caliber GC Lyman #311041 that drops 173 gr. from 49/49/2 - WW/Pb/Sn alloy. It is, after all, where you put it that makes the difference. Now that's a sweet piece of lead!

[Yodogsandman]

Lee has a copy of the 311041, the Lee 309-170F that drops at about 175gr. Good for hunting deer. I tried a lot of molds for a H&R Handy Rifle this last summer. The best shooting ones were the RCBS 30-180SP and Lyman 311291. The Lee 309-170F was right there too, in second place. The Lee 311-313F was fun for plinking.

[Butler Ford]

I have a Lee 2 cavity 150gr FP (90366) you/he can have for the price of a mailing address. Then you can spend his money on a Lee sizing kit.

BF

[Doc Highwall]

My vote goes for the Ranch Dog 165 grain or the NOE copy of it, nothing like the large flat nose for killing.

[Jevyod]

I have a Lee 2 cavity 150gr FP (90366) you/he can have for the price of a mailing address. Then you can spend his money on a Lee sizing kit.

BF

Pm sent

[leadman]

the above Lee boolit should work good for you. For full power hunting loads I use 28grs of H4895. Little over 2,100 fps in my 21" Contender barrel. The extra velocity flattens the trajectory and makes it easier to connect at range.

[EDK]

Kudos to Butler Ford for his offer.

IF I was buying...and had some extra funds...NOE HAD a two cavity of the RANCH DOG design in 1 plain base and 1 gas check last time I looked there. I want to get something similar, BUT I already have a 311041 plus a plain base copy of same. There are some other items higher on the wish list...like a lot more powder and primers! The current political situation is making me nervous.

[Jevyod]

Thanks for all your suggestions guys! But with the generous offer Butler Ford made, that is the route we are going!

[geargnasher]

Lee has a copy of the 311041, the Lee 309-170F that drops at about 175gr. Good for hunting deer. I tried a lot of molds for a H&R Handy Rifle this last summer. The best shooting ones were the RCBS 30-180SP and Lyman 311291. The Lee 309-170F was right there too, in second place. The Lee 311-313F was fun for plinking.

Lee had an even better copy of the 311041 that was run in a group buy here many years ago, it's my favorite.

Gear

[44man]

Lee had an even better copy of the 311041 that was run in a group buy here many years ago, it's my favorite.

Gear
Good boolit. I made my own mold for my Remlin and it has a .301" ogive and a .311" drive. Seems to be the same fit in old Marlins too.
I was sent some 311041 boolits and the ogive is .2995" ave with drive at 312". A little small for the nose but they shoot good enough.

[Doc Highwall]

44Man, I wish my 311041 had the nose cast .2995-.300, I have to size them down to .300 and the rifling still leaves a light mark.

[44man]

A problem with factory molds. also the gun where a 30-06 has a different bore then a Marlin 30-30.
hard to make a boolit mold the same for both.

[HARRYMPOPE]

31141(041) even with the small nose shoots well.its body is long enough for support.Its a classic and no impovement needed.Its a 311291 with different nose is all.My early molds have the EXACT body and groove locations.

[rsrocket1]

Kudos to Butler for providing the mold!
Really, a Lee mold costs $20, another $20 for the Lee push through sizing kit and $30 for 1,000 gas checks which may or may not be needed and they can be crimped on as you size the bullets. $70 is a very small outlay to cast for a new rifle caliber.