Lyman # 311465 for the 30-30, anyone?

[405 WCF]

Hi friends!
Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all of you!

While waiting for Ranch-Dog to get the TLC311-165-RF in stock again, (July 2009) I was thinking of getting a mold that drops lighter bullets for practice and small game hunting.

After reading my Cast Bullet Handbook from Lyman, I pretty much fell for their 122 gr # 311465 mold.

Anyone here that have that mold that can tell me about the bullet, cause, I would like to know if the bullet is accurate and so before ordering a mold.

The bullets will be used in my Marlin Glenfield 30-30AI.

//Olle

[ktw]

That one has been out of production for some time. You might be able to find a used one.

Other, still in production options you might want to consider are the lyman 311008 (115 gr, plain based), the RCBS 30-115-SPgc, or the lee C309-113-F ("Soupcan").

-ktw

[94Doug]

I do have one in SC Ideal, but have not really used it. I did start a post to see if there was interest in running a 6 cav Lee in this design, but there was not much interest. I'm thinking the design may not be good for a 30-30 though, maybe to pointed? The older RL books list this model as their "high velocity" boolit.

[Larry Gibson]

311465 is the short, stubby, Lovern design that is good for higher velocities in .30 cal cases with short necks. With no nose to speak of and not being to long to have to seat below the case neck it has all the right attributes for excellent accuracy at higher velocity. Unfortuneately it isn't for use in tube fed 30-30s. I believe lyman so admonishes. Is alright for single feed though. I would recommend the Lee C309-113-F as your small game/plinking bullet. It almost replicates Lyman's 311316 which is the GC'd bullet for the higher velocity 32-20 loads. Either bullet over 8 gr of Unique (no filler or wad) will give 1450-1500 fps out of a 20" barreled 30-30 with excellent accuracy. The FP will give best results on small game vs the 311465's RN. Lightly tumbled in LLA without a GC and unsized over 3 - 3.5 gr of Bullseye they don't shoot too bad out to 100 yards. Both of these are a couple of the few .30 cal GC moulds I've found that do pretty well w/o GC at 1050 fps or under.

Larry Gibson

[94Doug]

Of course, in a group buy, we could put a flat point on the design.

[beagle]

The 311465 is a good little .30/30 bullet. I've used loads of them with good accuracy in the .30/30. It's a winner.

Have Buckshot to HP one with a .100" cavity and you have a great little varmint round./beagle

[405 WCF]

Thank you all for your input's!
Since the mold is out of production, I have to take a look at the other molds you talked about.

My current small game load is with Sierras 110 gr FMJ Carbine.
It's the only bullet that can be used for birds and fox.
All bullets made for tubular mag's are soft or hollowpointed, and will ruin the meat or the fur.

I load the 110 gr Sierra to 2550 fps, and my Marlin is very accurate with that load.

But!
As a cast bullet shooter, I would like to have a mold that drops good,accurate bullets, that I can push to around 2400-2500 fps.
A hardcast will act just like an fmj, and wont destroy either the meat on the birds, or the fox fur.

//Olle

[Larry Gibson]

405 WCF

But!
As a cast bullet shooter, I would like to have a mold that drops good,accurate bullets, that I can push to around 2400-2500 fps.
A hardcast will act just like an fmj, and wont destroy either the meat on the birds, or the fox fur.//Olle[/QUOTE]

405 WCF

That is a lofty goal and it might prove difficult for a 20" barreled 30-30 with a 10" twist. You can try, I'd look at the Lee C309-120-2R of the Lyman 311359. The 311359 is a pointed bullet but the nose can be flattened with an appropriate nose punch. The HP'd version, if you can find one, would be better. Both bullets have good amount of bearing surface and short noses. I would work with the slowest burning powders and look at finding one that gave the accuracy desired at as high a velocity as accuracy allows while maintaining close to 100% loading density.

A fairly hard yet maleable alloy of 18-22 BHN would be my starting choice there. I also would make a chamber cast to see how long the chamber neck ist to the case tngth. Most 30-30 chamber necks are considerably longer than most 30-30 cases. I use longer .32 Special cases for these higher end 30-30 loads. With case necks that fit the chamber case neck you'll get less unwanted obturation during initial accelleration before the bullet is supported by the throat/leade and bore. Good lluck and keep us posted on your results.

Larry Gibson

[94Doug]

Anyone who is interested in a Group Buy, please express intrest on that post.

Thanks.

[Wayne Smith]

I'm waiting for the Catshooter's 32 group buy to come in. I figured to use it in my 32-20 and in my 30-30s.

[405 WCF]

Larry Gibson!
Thanks for your reply!

My Marlin is chambered for the 30-30AI, and it's much more accurate now, than it was as a standard 30-30.

I will take a look at the molds you talked about, and see what can be done!

[405 WCF]

The LEE C309-120-2R look very nice in my eyes, but, .309 dia is to small for my Marlin.
I have sent an e-mail to LEE, just to hear if they can make the mold drop bigger, .311-.312 cal bullets.
Waiting for answer.

[Larry Gibson]

405 WCF

It's alittle heavier bullet than you mentioned but a while back there was a GB on a C313-150-WFN bullet. Reports are that most drop the bullets at .314-.315. Mine drops at .315. However, if I seat the GC and lube in a .314 die in the 450 LS then push through a Lee .311 they shoot extremely well in my M94s. Perhaps someone has one available if you were interested.

Larry Gibson

[405 WCF]

Larry!
I'm very interested!
I buy a mold, if anyone can sell me one!

[Larry Gibson]

Larry!
I'm very interested!
I buy a mold, if anyone can sell me one!

Might want to post that in the classified forum or the GB forum.

Larry Gibson

[shotman]

If this is still up look at it feebay 110331752198 may be pulled but is a 6cav Lee ... I will let you know how it casts