Which bullet for a Win. 94 .30-30

[selmerfan]

My best friend is getting a used Win. 94AE pre-crosslock for $300 (pretty good deal I thought) in excellent condition. He likes to shoot, and his cheapest option is me making cast boolits for him and helping him load for it. Any suggestions for good molds for this rifle from those who use one? We don't have it in hand yet, so I can't slug it. (besides, how do I slug a lever??? I'm a bolt-action kinda guy) I'm assuming a flat-nose in the 150-170 gr. range, he may use CB's for taking hogs down at his dad's place in TX. Otherwise we'll be loading jacketed for deer hunting with it. (heresy, I know) Should I be using PB or GC bullets in this bugger? I have a semi-pointed RCBS 30-150 mold that I use in my .30-06, but I'm not sure the semi-point is wide enough to prevent chain-fire in the tube magazine. I'm sizing my .30-06 to .311"
Thanks for the help!

[runfiverun]

I USE THE RCBS 30-150-FP
it glides through the win it has g/c which you'll like as the cast can be pushed as fast as j-words in the levergun.
i sized to 310 but would think 311 could work as well.
as an aside the same boolit is the only one my wifes savage 0-6 will shoot well.

[heathydee]

I am using the 170 gn Lee flat point in mine . It weighs about 178 gns once the gas check is fitted . i size to .311" and it reaches 2000 fps out of the 20 inch barrel propelled by 30 gns of Varget. The boolit is crimped in place with a Lee Factory Crimp Die and the overall length is 2.56 inches . Accuracy hovers around 1.5 MOA .

[Leftoverdj]

Selmer, might as well go with what you have to start. Load one in the chamber and one in the tube for a two shooter since you are worried about the semi point. You are definitely going to need GCs for near factory duplication. Worry about a more suitable mould after you have the rifle in hand and know a little more about what it wants.

[Mk42gunner]

You could use a flat top punch to bump the nose for use in a tube magazine; I am doing this with the Lee 312-185 sized .313" for my Marlin. I haven't shot any yet; but they cycle thru the action fine, (it has been raining the last four days).

Robert

[243winxb]

Lyman #311291 with gas check, sized .310" , using IMR 4895 @27.5 gr. works well in my old 94. Don't forget to use the Lyman "M" die. Warning, Win 94 without a safety is the most accident prone gun ever made. Tell your friend to be very careful when lowering the hammer. :-| Fact, not IMO . Use this info at your own risk. Bullet in photo is 3th one from the right, as i am sure you know. Click for larger . http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n420/joe1944usa/th_castbullets.jpg (http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n420/joe1944usa/castbullets.jpg)

[Blammer]

I'm kinda partial at the moment, but I'd recommend either the 311041 or the 311291. With the 311291 I'd get a HP on one cavity and use the 'flat point' pin or the HP and it should do very well.

The 311041
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g81/blammer8mm/Cast%20boolits/311041/DSCN7793.jpg

The 311291 regular and HP
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g81/blammer8mm/Cast%20boolits/311291/DSCN7797.jpg

[corvette8n]

I've used the Lee 150fngc in both a pre and post W94 plus in a Marlin 336. Alas I sold that mold when I got my RD 165fngc.

[Rocky Raab]

Another vote for the Lee C-309-170-F . Great bullet, cheap mould and it cares not a whit what alloy you use. I tumble mine in LLA, apply a Hornady gas check and seat them over 16.0 of 2400 for 1900 fps.

MAHvelous.

[Shiloh]

Been using a Lyman 311041. I haven't tried anything else. It is my sons rifle and he got home from Irag on Sept. 21st. I don't shoot it without him.

Shiloh

[Gohon]

+3 on the Lee C-309-170-F. Air cooled WW with gas check and lubed weighs 179 grains. Ahead of 26.4 grains H-335 for 1980 fps. Shoots great........

[Le Loup Solitaire]

Lyman #311291 or 311041 if you feel that you need a meplat. Size to .310. Start with 25 grains of IMR 3031 and you can work up to 30-31 grains max. I found that 27 grains grouped best for both of my 94's. Slight roll crimp beind the front band keeps things honest in the tubular mag. LLS

[JIMinPHX]

I've been having great results with the Lee 150-grain flat point in the 30-30. I'm up over 2300fps with no leading & better accuracy that jacketed bullets. I also have a nice comfy 1300fps target/plinking load that works well.

[stephen perry]

I cast some 311410 for my 30-30. Bullets look good about 130 grn. If you bought this number for your carbine try a couple in your 30-30. The bullet best for the 30-30 would be 311041 at about 170 grn.

Stephen Perry
Angeles BR :brokenima

[Gohon]

I also have a nice comfy 1300fps target/plinking load that works well.

I've got some of those made up using the Lee C309-160-R ahead of 7 grains of Unique. Haven't had a chance to shoot them yet but hope they work well for those times I switch to hunting squirrels when nothing else is moving. Being a round nose it shouldn't do much meat damage.

[softpoint]

I use the RCBS .30-180 fp in a Marlin 30/30 xlr, and most everything else 30 caliber I have.:)