I want to cast some M1 carbine bullets - mold suggestions?

[mookiie]

I want to cast bullets for my M1 carbine and I wanted to check with you gents and see if you have a mold/sizing die recommendation? Also and idea how hard I should be looking to make these bullets? 1 lb lead to 1 lb linotype? would I also need gas checks?
Thanks!

[Echo]

I have used a Lee 120 gr RNGC mold for decades. Feeds, shoots, is accurate, and WW+2%Sn works for me...

[Larry Gibson]

I want to cast bullets for my M1 carbine and I wanted to check with you gents and see if you have a mold/sizing die recommendation? Also and idea how hard I should be looking to make these bullets? 1 lb lead to 1 lb linotype? would I also need gas checks?
Thanks!

The 2 mentioned bullets along with several others are good cast bullets for the 30 Carbine. However, having used both of those and several others I've found the Lyman 311156 to be the time proven overall best performer in numerous M1 Carbines and M2 Carbines. I size them at .309, lube with a good 50/50 lube, use Hornady GCs and load them over H110. I've had flawless feeding in all the M1 and M2 Carbines I've used it in, even in FA M2's. If small game hunting is needed then HPing the 311156 is an option or using a FN such as the RCBS. If you want full performance and best accuracy from your M1 Carbine then GCs are needed.

Larry Gibson

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[RobsTV]

Having great results with this mold, LEE 90301 311-100-2R. You do not have to get a gas check mold to run gas checks, and can instead install Plain Base Gas Checks. Opens up the assortment of molds available to you. PBGC's are cheaper as well.

[gwpercle]

The Lee C309-113-F or the Lee C309-120-R should work just fine. Both have a gas check , which I would use on the 30 carbine . The alloy you mention with a gas check should be fine, a good place to start anyway. At $20.00 for a double cavity it wont break the bank.
I would be tempted to try the 113 flat point, always had a preference for them to just a plain round nose. This is the boolit my friend uses in his Ruger Blackhawk.
Gary

[Thin Man]

I have 2 molds for the 32/20 that work well in a carbine. The 311008 (115 gr.) is a solid and the same mold as a factory hollow point is the 311033 (100 gr.). A bit of trial and error may be required to determine the COL your rifle will demand. Cast with WW alloy the solid thumps well, and a friend who tried the HP in his carbine described it as "explosive". The HP molds are rarely seen. Buy a 311008 mold from ebay (lots of older Winchester molds pop up there) and have it converted, not a difficult job and several members and sponsors on this site will do the work for you. Cast these HP boolits with a blend of (3) parts Pb and (1) part WW for use in the 32 H&R Magnum for fun and expansion at lower speeds. Use straight WW (+/- tin) for carbine.

[gpidaho]

Mookiie: I'm pretty new to the M1 Carbine myself, having just picked one up on trade. I'm just passing along what I've been doing with what I have at hand. I will defer to Larry G. for real advice as he's never led me wrong, I prefer H-110 as a powder when I can find it and 4227 works well for me, The two moulds I own that were possibles for the 30 C were the Lee C309-113-F gas checked and the Lee TL314-90-SWC plain base. The 113 works pretty well gas checked, powder coated and sized .309 ( feeds better in my carbine than sized .310 or .311) The surprise was the little 90gr. pill. I size it .311 through a Lee sizer, then .309, powder coat and resize .309 this little plain base never misses a beat over 14gr. 4227. Have fun! GP

[45-70 Chevroner]

If it's still avialable the Lyman 130gr. PB 311410 was my best one for the carbine.

[zomby woof]

I getting the best performance, accuracy and feeding from the NOE 311115. The best powder is H110/296. GC so far is providing the best accuracy.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

I have always used the RCBS 115-120 grain GC roundnose. It feeds reliably and has good bearing surface. There are of course several other good choices that will work well. Powder is another area where there is latitude. I use 4227....supposedly 14 grains is the ticket, but I never have been able to get much more than 13.5 int a carbine case. Again several other powders work very well. Accuracy is about the same as GI Ball. You will want to keep the cases pretty much the same length and use a taper crimp so that there is enough case mouth for the cartridge to seat on....too much crimp is NG as the round will go too far forward and not enough of a strike on the primer will result. LLS

[Beesdad]

135652 Pictured is the Lyman 311410 Flat Base... Outstanding performer. Easy to cast and easy to coat.

[dale2242]

I getting the best performance, accuracy and feeding from the NOE 311115. The best powder is H110/296. GC so far is providing the best accuracy.

I agree that the NOE 311 115 is the best I`ve tried so far.
I have been using WC820. H110/296 was my choice before I got the surplus powder....dale

[Cherokee]

Lyman 311359 GC is the bullet I cast and shoot in my 30 Carbines, using AA9. YMMV

[pworley1]

+1 on Cherokee's post. Lyman 311359.

[RobsTV]

The M1 30 carbine is thought by many to not be a good choice for accurate shooting. Just finished up testing some loads at 50 yards using the Lee 311-100-2R, and can confirm that thought is wrong. The Lee mold with cheap plain base gas check made from soda cans, using a cheap $60 pistol/scout scope that had horrible eye relief on a cheap post war M1 30 carbine had these results when shot first time out with new powder.

With better sights and more experience, positive this combo would shoot sub MOA. Each line represents 1/2". All 15 in 4" target, with 6 of them making the ragged hole. The others were mostly due to fighting getting a clear optic view of target with the cheap scope, and inexperience. Sized using Lee push though .309 @ .3085, Lyman lubed Carnauba red, and Ramshot Enforcer/A4100 @ roughly 1800fps.