RCBS 82019 or Lyman 311041 in Winchester 94?

[FergusonTO35]

Hey folks, I've decided I want a new mold for my two 94's, a 1978 and 1985. Looking for around 1800 fps with good accuracy. Between the 173 grain Lyman and 150 grain RCBS which one would likely shoot better? I may also use it in my two Micro Groove Marlins. I know the Lyman 173 has long been the gold standard .30-30 mold but I do like the idea of the 150 because it saves lead.

[Markopolo]

I only have one 30-30, and It loves the 82019. It’s a Winchester though. My suggestion is you post an add in the bullet exchange here and ask for a few samples of each and let those fly. Your marlins will choose wisely!!!

Marko

[pworley1]

I think you would be happy with either one.

[FergusonTO35]

Thanks guys. I found the RCBS for $90.00 plus tax shipped on the Bushnell website strangely enough so I went ahead and ordered it. That is the cheapest I've seen for a new RCBS mold in a really long time. Any suggested loads for it? I have Reloder 7, H-4198, H-335, and IMR 4064. I have a bit of 4759 but don't know if it's worth trying since it can't be replaced. Still planning to get the Lyman at some point.

[Larry Gibson]

I have both those moulds for use in my two M94s and Contender carbine. Haven't used the RCBS mould for some years now. The Lyman 311041 always gets the nod....as you say "the Lyman 173 has long been the gold standard" and for over 52 years it has been with me. I've a single cavity HP mould, a double cavity and should have got a 4 cavity a while back when one came up for sale......

BTW; The 311041 has always shot very well in Marlins with Ballard and Micr-groove rifling.

[FergusonTO35]

Thanks Larry. I am definitely going to get the Lyman at some point, the unusual low price on the RCBS that I found pushed me over the edge.

[samari46]

I have the Lyman 311291 and the 31141 and both the noses on both measure .298. And even playing around with straight linotype bullets does not help. But should work in my K-31 as it does measure .298 - .299. Frank

[FergusonTO35]

Ok, the RCBS mold showed up and I poured a bunch of 'em last night. This is about the easiest mold I have ever used. Was getting great boolits after 3 casts and they drop out no problem. I have never had a mold that drops boolits from the get go. Anybody ever try H335 with this boolit or .30 WCF cast in general? I read on Artful Bullet that 26 grains works really well.

[Bird]

Ok, the RCBS mold showed up and I poured a bunch of 'em last night. This is about the easiest mold I have ever used. Was getting great boolits after 3 casts and they drop out no problem. I have never had a mold that drops boolits from the get go. Anybody ever try H335 with this boolit or .30 WCF cast in general? I read on Artful Bullet that 26 grains works really well.

I use the RCBS 150 grain bullet with w748 at just under max load, with Bens Red lube. I would guess 2100 to 2200fps in a 10 twist aftermarket barrel, yours will be a 12'' twist. Very good accuracy. H335 should work good, as would any powder slower than IMR 3031, up to Hodgdon Leverevolution burn rate.
The RCBS molds are easy to use.

[FergusonTO35]

Thanks. I lubesized them yesterday to .310. The nose measures around .300-.302 on most of them, a bit fatter than my Lee boolits. I went ahead and made up a box with 26 grains H335 to try out. Also going to try them lubed with LLA at .311.

[FergusonTO35]

I tried the rounds in the chambers of my two Winchesters and two Marlins. All rounds slide right into the Winchester's. The 1976 Marlin is a little snug, the 1967 Marlin requires some effort to chamber and lightly engraves the ogive. The latter rifle has a tight throat and is super accurate with jacketed.

[FergusonTO35]

Tried out the boolits in my 1985 94 today. Accuracy was pretty terrible, however I think I was just not doing good today. It would be nice to have an actual sharpshooter to test my loads!

[FergusonTO35]

I noticed these boolits fit really tight through my .310 sizing die. Tried the .312 and they fit through it perfectly, the sides of the boolit are flattened out nicely. So I guess this mold drops 'em fat.

[FergusonTO35]

Another thing I am noticing is that, with these skinny rifle boolits, it seems quite easy to slightly bend the nose with a Lyman or RCBS style sizer. I'll probably dip them in LLA and use a push through sizer from now on.

[kungfustyle]

You need to let them harden for about two weeks or you'll get little bananas. I learned that the hard way too. You'll have to find the sweet spot for your gun. Work up .5grains at a time till you find a load you like or you start getting to max. Try Reloader 7, H335 or 4198 and go from there.

[FergusonTO35]

Thanks. I start itching to size 'em soon as they cool off! Reloder 7 works like magic with the 170 grain Lee slug, however it has been extinct for a few years around here and I'm down to my last few ounces. I loaded up a box with 24, 24.5, 25, 25.5, and 26 grains H335 to see how it does.

[FergusonTO35]

Ok, I think I've got the RCBS boolit lined out. Size to .310, 26 grains H335, does about 1.5" at 100 yards with my scoped 94. I would like to go back to using a receiver sight, but my eyes are only good to about 75 yards or so. Love this boolit, hope to take a deer with it this year. 'Yotes watch out!

[Griff]

I use a Saeco #316 mold, gas-checked 150 grain. Pushed by 27.5 grains of Reloader 7, it chronos @ 2290fps. Out of my 26" heavy barrelled mdl 94 it's best group has been ¾" @ 200 yards. Wished my eyesight could keep that nowadays! I can still hold on the pigs @ 300!

[FergusonTO35]

3/4" at 200? Dude, you're on a whole 'nother level! I go nuts when I do that at 75!

[Griff]

3/4" at 200? Dude, you're on a whole 'nother level! I go nuts when I do that at 75!Well... it was back when my measured vision was 20/15. Ain't been that good in a number of years.

[FergusonTO35]

Strangely, my vision has actually improved with age. I used to be very nearsighted, now I'm about average. My dad is an ophthalmology tech and said this is pretty common.

[FergusonTO35]

Hmm, finding that this rifle is very inconsistent nowadays. Shots stringing all over the place. I'm not a good marksman by any means but 9" groups are not my norm! Load is 26 grains H335/RCBS 30-150-FN gas checked sized to .310. Never seen a .30-30 that wouldn't shoot a .310 boolit at least reasonably well. The mag tube has a bit of wiggle in the barrel band which is about normal for cheap 94's. Any suggestions here? I'm going to try the same ammo in my '78 model and my laser accurate Marlin Glenfield 30. If the ammo performs well in those rifles, then this thing is getting traded or sent to JES to be transformed into a .38-55!

[FergusonTO35]

Tried out the beater 94 with the tried and true 24 grains Reloader 7 under a 170 grain Lee slug. Accuracy was nothing special but decent. I think 26 grains H335 may be high, so I'm going to redo the charge starting at 23 grains. Also did my quick and dirty way of snugging up parts fit with discrete application of bits of Gorilla Tape in strategic areas. Hopefully can shoot it some more tomorrow.

[FergusonTO35]

Was able to try some loads today before it got too dark. 23.7 and 24 grains H335 look promising, seems to shoot about as good as I can hold with anything else I've tried. If my stupid trigger finger would squeeze properly I could get much better groups. Best I can do is something of a.controlled press.

[FergusonTO35]

Looks like 24 grains H335 is a winner. When everything goes right it shoots as good as my pet jacketed loads. Hope the 1978 model likes it too.

[FergusonTO35]

Tried it again today and 24 grains H335 is what this rifle will eat from now on. I can call the shots no problem, and once in a great while actually make a nice group. I wonder how well this boolit does on deer? Lots of folks swear by the Lyman 170.

[FergusonTO35]

Fired the 24 grains H-335/RCBS 150 side by side with the trusted standard of 24 grains Reloader 7/170grain Lee. Turns out both loads are equally accurate and shoot to the same POA in my rifles. Bonus!

[OverMax]

311041 Ideal cast appears to be a dandy 30 cal boolit being a flat point suggested for Rem/ Win lever use. Lyman 311291 on the other-hand isn't quite so dandy looking. Its a plain jane cast. But shines at distant hole making as its a bit more accurate and stable than its cousin the 041. As far as powder use there are many. I found IMR 4198 to be best powder for either boolit. What reloaders need to focus on concerning cast molds is boolit diameter. Win likes .310 dia and Rem likes .312 due to its tiny Micro Groove rifling. Here's something interesting to look at http://www.three-peaks.net/Lyman_and_Ideal_Bullet_Molds.pdf

[FergusonTO35]

Thanks. I size 'em to .310 and they seem to work just fine, not a bit of leading to speak of. 4198 is a powder that I really like but not enough to pay $15.00 more a pound for it, when so far H-335 is doing everything I need.