lyman 311291....what happened?

[atr]

I cast some 311291 (nominal 170 gr RN)...measured dia. avg=0.309
BUT,,,measured weight was 180.5 gr average. Measured without grease or GC.

So what happened?....too much lead perhaps? They cast very clean and bright, I surprised because they dont have that dull lead look and they have a hard feel to them.

also I was going to load these in me 94 30-30....but the reload data only goes to
170 gr.
your thoughts please, especially about using them in a 30-30 load.

[44man]

You didn't mention the alloy.
But the weight is nothing to worry about, just start at the starting load for the 170 gr and work up to the best accuracy.
It is rare to hit exact weight.

[runfiverun]

gonna take a guess here,you used ww's......lyman uses their 5/5 for their weights.

[Thumbcocker]

311291's out of ww alloy from my mould weigh around 183 grns.

[Larry Gibson]

atr

Nothing "happened" other than your alloy is different as mentioned. Use the staring loads for the 170 gr bullets and work up as usual. Or use the data for 200 gr bullets.

Larry Gibson

[catboat]

The other possibility, aside from variations in mass/density from your particular alloy, is the calibration of your scale to weigh the bullets.

It's not uncommon for scales to be off ~ 5+/- grains from whatever the standard calibration is targeted. Not saying you are wrong, but it just alerts you to the possibility for some variance. In any event, even if your weight is dead nuts on, you still need to excercise safe reloading practices and work up your load slowly from 170 grain data, or as posted, use a heavier bullet weight.

Go slow. Be safe.

[atr]

thanks guys....
I have checked the scale...its ok....its an older Ohaus
I was encouraged that thumbcocker was getting about the same wt.

I just tried 8gr of Unique.....works fine
tomorrow I will the the ones loaded with 748

I will keep you all posted

[Boerrancher]

I load 30 grs of IMR4064 with my 180gr RN boolits for my mod 94 30-30. Shoots like a dream, but I would start around 24 grs and work up if you are going to try IMR4064.

Best wishes from the Boer Ranch,

Joe

[stillhunter]

My Lyman book says 173 grains with gas check in #2 alloy. This bullet shoots beautifully in 30-30 or 30-06 at around 1600 FPS. You will need to use the crimping groove in the 30-30. Start moderate and enjoy.

[atr]

Ok guys....update
I loaded them in the 30-30....26 gr of 748 / sized 0.309

the load was consistantly accurate to the extent that we could bust clay's set in the bank 100 yards out. Were were using Marple open sights.

My "puzzlement" regarding the cast weight of the 311291 (180actual vs 170specification) was due to the fact that I used the same cast batch for some 311413 (169 gr) and those casts came out within one grain of the specified cast weight.

thanks again guys