30-30 Flat Nose mold choice?

[PBSmith]

Many shooters claim the old Lyman 31141 (or the more recent 311041) is great for not just .30-30 but also other 30 caliber rifles.

Not having too much faith in Lyman molds from recent years, I'm looking at NOE's version of this bullet, 311-180-FN.

Is there any reason this should not work as well or better than Lyman's 311041? My current.30-30 arsenal includes a Ballard-rifled Marlin 336 and a Savage 340. Maybe I'll add a M 94 someday.

I own one NOE mold. It's a winner.
Thanks

[toallmy]

I have one and really like it , But I have only used it in my trusty 30-30 Winchester . I kept a eye out for a ideal Lyman for a year or so but most of what I saw were in ruff shape or rather pricey so for a shore- thing I went to NOE . If you want to try some I'd be glad to send you some .

[Calamity Jake]

Get the NOE and don't look back!!!!!!!

[Tom Myers]

Is there any reason this should not work as well or better than Lyman's 311041?

I have owned 2 Lyman 311041 molds and they were both undersized, inaccurate and leaded badly.

My 4 cavity N.O.E. mold fits my Marlin 336 throat and barrel like a glove, shoots like a house-a-fire and doesn't lead the barrel.

[toallmy]

I am new to casting thing , but the ability to order a mold just the size and stile you need is kinda nice . You just have to decide plan base or gas checks - o wait you can get both in the same mold .

[jmort]

It is hard to beat the Ranch Dog design
This is a good visual
http://www.castbullet.com/reload/meplat.htm

[725]

Ranch Dog -- great mold design. Anything made by NOE will be very well made.

[bob208]

for lite loads i use the lyman mold for the .32-20 110 gr. and gas check. i was at a gun show about 2 years ago picked up a lee 170 gr. flat nose gas check mold for $8 it works good in my winchesters i hope see how it works on a deer this season.

[MT Gianni]

My 30-30 needs are usually filled with the RD/Saeco 315 copy, RD NOE 165, RCBS, 180 fn, and 311440 in that order.

[leebuilder]

Just ordered the Noe ranch dog with the last sale.
Can't wait to try it now.
Giggidy

[Tatume]

Like many, I'm especially fond of the Lee C309-170-FN.

[toallmy]

A couple questions if the op don't mind . First question do you gentlemen find the NOE 311-180 fn to work well in other 30 caliber rifles besides the 30-30 ? Second question because of the love shown for the ranch dog NOE please enlighten us to your experience with the different weight and the tumble or regular grove as well as plain base or gas check .:hijack:

[alamogunr]

It is hard to beat the Ranch Dog design
This is a good visual
http://www.castbullet.com/reload/meplat.htm

Junior may be gone but his knowledge lives on. Thanks for posting the link.

[bedbugbilly]

I have several of the NOE FN molds that I use in my 30-30s. I'd have to go dig them out as I don't remember the numbers - I think one is the one you are talking about. I also have one that is about a 120 - 150 grain - again, it's been a while since I've used them or loaded any up. I like to use milder loads of Red Dot so I often use a plain base. I ended up getting a two cavity mold from NOE - one cavity plain base and the other gas check. Anyway, you won't be disappointed with any NOE mold. I have probably around 80 Lyman, RCBS, Ideal, etc. and all cast fine - but I also have had some I've bought used that soon left because they didn't cast to size, etc. Never an issue with an NOE and I finally decided that if I need a new boolit mold - I get an NOE. They are top notch all the way.

I only have 30-30s so can't speak as to how they work in other 30 caliber guns. I'm looking for a 30-06 to play with and before I'd buy a new mold, I'd certainly try what my NOE drops.

[toallmy]

Plan base plinking sounds fun .

[gpidaho]

I own a Marlin 336 built in 1948 and the Lee C309-150-F is it's favorite. If bullet is to be used for hunting anything larger than small deer you might be better served with more weight. Be careful in looking over the specs before you buy. A lot of the heavier bullets have a nose that is too long to feed in the lever actions when seated to the crimp groove. Gp

[brewer12345]

I shoot the lee 113 flat nose, the 150 grain flat nose and a noe 195 flat nose in my 3006. I found good performing loads for each, so I would say you can definitely use the 30 cal molds in other chamberings of the 30 cal variety. If I were after larger deer, I would probably want to use the heaviest boolits that would play well with the lever action and shot well. In my 3006, the big 198 grain flat nose is what I will be using. If you can only get the 150 to play well, so be it.

[500Linebaughbuck]

165gr ranch dog, its all i use in my 30-40 krag

[unique]

I like the Saeco #307 with lyman #2 or there abouts.

220355
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[Elkins45]

The NOE 30 caliber bullets are on sale right now, so this is a good time to get one.

[PBSmith]

I have one and really like it , But I have only used it in my trusty 30-30 Winchester . I kept a eye out for a ideal Lyman for a year or so but most of what I saw were in ruff shape or rather pricey so for a shore- thing I went to NOE . If you want to try some I'd be glad to send you some .

Thanks toallmy. PM sent.

[PBSmith]

Like many, I'm especially fond of the Lee C309-170-FN.

Tatume, if the Lee mold dropped to spec size (0.309), the bullets would be useless in my rifles.

[PBSmith]

I own a Marlin 336 built in 1948 and the Lee C309-150-F is it's favorite. If bullet is to be used for hunting anything larger than small deer you might be better served with more weight. Be careful in looking over the specs before you buy. A lot of the heavier bullets have a nose that is too long to feed in the lever actions when seated to the crimp groove. Gp

Thank you for that reminder, gpidaho.

[PBSmith]

The NOE 30 caliber bullets are on sale right now, so this is a good time to get one.

Thanks ELkins. The sale is what prompted ths thread. I should look into the RanchDog designs before buying. I've read some about them and come away confused as to which version would be best suited for my needs.

[toallmy]

Got your message , I'm sorta confused with the ranch dog molds also , I see the tumble and standard lube grove , but they come in different weight also .

[sghart3578]

I usually shoot the Lee 150-RF in my 336. I have to "Beagle" it to get it to size and gas check at .311" but it shoots very well.

I have recently purchased an Arsenal mold:

http://arsenalmolds.com/bullet-molds?product_id=84&limit=99999999999

It drops large enough to gas check and size to .311".

I have only had it long enough for one range trip but 25 gr of IMR3031 had me hitting clay pigeons at 75 yards with ease.

My rifle is a 1952 Marlin 336 with a Skinner peep sight.


Steve in N CA

[Tom W.]

I've had a Ranch Dog mold for years. Sized, lubed and with a gas check it weighs 170 grains or so. I mostly use it for Fire forming my 30-06 A.I. with light loads of Red Dot, but Have used it and loaded it for a late hunting buddy of mine for his 30/30, and it works like a dream! My youngest son has used it with my NEF single shot 30/30 and did really well with it, too. I'm in the process of loading up some 30/30 rounds now, I just got the dies set up for my press and am deciding on a powder to use. I probably won't hunt with the rifle, but just getting out and shooting accurate rounds that I put together has a benefit....

[Texas by God]

I usually shoot the Lee 150-RF in my 336. I have to "Beagle" it to get it to size and gas check at .311" but it shoots very well.

I have recently purchased an Arsenal mold:

http://arsenalmolds.com/bullet-molds?product_id=84&limit=99999999999

It drops large enough to gas check and size to .311".

I have only had it long enough for one range trip but 25 gr of IMR3031 had me hitting clay pigeons at 75 yards with ease.

My rifle is a 1952 Marlin 336 with a Skinner peep sight.


Steve in N CA25 grs of 3031 and the Lee 150f sized .309 will put 3 shots in an inch and a quarter consistently from my 30-30 bolt action.
A great combo.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[toallmy]

I guess I will give the ranch dog a try , I ordered one yesterday a 165 gr plan base with lube groves .

[Shiloh]

I can't seem to get the .311 size with any alloy. Larry Gibson recommended Lyman #2. I make about .3105 with it. For my rifle, i'd really like to try a .31141 that ois .311. Other factor is the limitations of the rifle and the shooters vision.

Shiloh

[Shiloh]

I can't seem to get the .311 size with any alloy. Larry Gibson recommended Lyman #2. I make about .3105 with it. For my rifle, i'd really like to try a .31141 that ois .311. Other factor is the limitations of the rifle and the shooters vision.

Shiloh