Best all around .30 boolit and mold

[cumminsnut76]

I am currently looking into starting to cast for my rifles. The first thing that comes to mind for me is that I have three different 30 cal rifles (win 94 30-30, custom 98 mauser bench rifle 308, and a brand new ruger m77 mark II in 30-06). While I'm not as worried about the 308 as the 30-30 and the 30-06 I am wondering what boolit would work best in all three of these? If not one for all then maybe just the 30-30 and the 06 or just the best boolit for each caliber. Thanks for the advice
Cumminsnut76:lovebooli

[Doc Highwall]

We need more information then that like what are you going to use it for. If it is going to be a boolit for squib loads we will tell you something like 115 grain boolit. If you want it for hunting it will be a heaver boolit.

[cumminsnut76]

Well I'm more worried about a hunting load mainly for the 30-30 and have no problems with shooting a heavier boolit for target plinking.

[Doc Highwall]

The boolit that you want is being run now under active group buys and I am in for a four cavity my self is, 311-165gr GCRF.

[bruce drake]

OK, for the three calibers you are looking for, I would advise you to try to find either a LEE 170gr Flat Nose in .309 or Lyman's 311291 which is a 170gr Round Nose design. The reason I'm recommending these two is that both molds provide you with a bullet with the most appropriate weight for the suspected twist rates of each of the barrels.
Also both bullet profiles will also safely allow you to load and fire them in the 30-30. The Flat Nose might give you a little rough feeding in the bolt actions but should be perfect for the 30-30. Then again, I've got both molds and use them interchangeably in the 30-30 while reserving the 311291 for my Bolts to ensure reliable feeding.

Bruce

[cumminsnut76]

Thanks doc Just got through looking at that thread and like what I see. To add to this, If i opt for the hollow point mold what would it do for me? I will mainly be casting out of ww but also have a small lot of pure I can add in. Also any other suggestions to keep my eyes open to all the possibilities? lee? RCBS? Thanks guys

[Dollar Bill]

Saeco 315. Designed for 30-30, tapered design that is used very successfully as a target bullet. In fact, the box mine came in is marked "Match".

[Le Loup Solitaire]

The limiting factor in bullet selection here is bullet length because of the 94. It simply will not feed overly long rounds, beyond the OAL specs If you're wanting to run one mold in all three rifles then you would want to consider bullets that are in the 150-170 grain range. Those will shoot accurately in the rifles that you mention. One of the best bullets ever designed is the Lyman #311291 which is a round nose, and its flat-nosed counterpart #311041. But a word of advice...in dealing with Lyman beware of their putting out molds that cast undersize. Lyman a real nuisance with that. Lee, Saeco and RCBS all make suitable designs that will also work well. the tubular magazine of the 94 also is not ideal for using pointed bullets..one behind the other. I have used the 291, a round nose and have never had any problem. The 311291 shoots most excellently in the 30-30, 06 and 308 and there is heaps of loading data around for many powders. If you hunt larger game than deer... like elk or moose you would probably be better off to use a heavier range of bullet weight and that would mean a bullet in the 190 and up category and there is a large selection to choose from among the various mold manufacturers, many of the designs having been tried and well proven over the years. Do some searching on this forum under "Articles by members". LLS

[cumminsnut76]

All right Another thing to think about. I like the idea of the NOE mold. Would I want a hollow point? I live in Missouri where the largest thing we have around here is a 200 pound deer which is what I would be shooting with these. Also I agree with a 150 to 175 gn boolit so keep it coming guys. Also gas check or no gas check. Also I am thinking about trading the Winchester for a marlin. Will this make any difference in length?

[Blammer]

I'd not bother with a HP for now.

I'd look for the 311291. Should be a good one, or the 311041.

[cumminsnut76]

Ok you say no hollow point. I'm fine with that but I am wondering why? just curious as I really don't know. What would the hollow point do for me? Just curious. Thanks for all the good advice/.

[Doc Highwall]

For one it is a lot easier to cast a solid nose. The 311-165 is a close copy of the Ranch Dogs except for the grease grooves.

[beagle]

I'll second the 311291 for your three gun application. I've shot it in all three and it does well.

Hollow point? Pick up a DC mould and have Buckshot or one of the other HPers HP one cavity for you and also make a screw on cavity plug. Works just like a regular mould when plugged and when removed, you can use the HP pin assembly to make a batch of HP's.

The best of both worlds./beagle

[cumminsnut76]

Ok that sounds great. But if i went for a hollow point what would i be gaining. Beagle sent me some hollow point .224 to play with in my 223 and I have read where they are great varmit boolits as their expansion is basically like a greanade with nothing left but the base as a small button. Will the .308 do this as well. If so then would it be more in the line of a coyote round and other small animals or would it also do well on deer. Just wondering

[Blammer]

Sometimes it's tougher to cast good HP's and get good results, especially if you're just starting out casting.

The HP will allow it to act like a partition of sorts.

Depending on the velocity you push it.

Faster vel the more destruction you'll get. Hunting Deer, you'd not want to hit a shoulder with a HP. (just my opinion)

[Paul B]

I'll second all the recommendations for Lyman's #311291 and add the RCBS #30-180-FN which casts a 190 gr. bullet in whel weight metal. Whoa there feller. That last bullet is too heavy for a 30-30. Actually no it isn't. You can load the Lyman bullet to just about full powder in a Model 94 30-30 and you can load the RCBS bullet to 1950 FPS from a 20" barrel which duplicates the old .303 Savage round. I have never figured out why Winchester would load their 190 gr. Silvertip in the .303 Savage and not in the 30-30 when both cartridges are almost like two peas in a pod.? Winchester would also never sell that 190 gr. bullet to the public. If you've read Sam Fadala's book on the M94 30-30, you'll note he would buy .303 Savage ammo and pull the bullets so he could use them in his 30-30.
The Lyman bullet has taken 15 deer for me so far and the RCBS bullet has taken two deer so far.
The RCBS bullet is very accurate in the .308 and I'ved use it in the 30-06 to knock down the 300 meter rams at my range. You do have to hit them in the top one-third of the pig silhouettes to get them to fall, but fall they will. I've been shooting that Lyman bullet for close to 20 years now, maybe more. I don't shoot the 30-30 much anymore although it lives behind the seat of my pik up truck.
Paul B.

[Lead Fred]

First choice, Ranch Dog , second choice the group buy here, last choice RCBS

[qajaq59]

I've never gotten the Lyman #311041 as accurate in my .308 as I would like it to be. But in the Win 94, 30-30, it's like a tracking missile. However, if you need to use it in both, you might be better of with the #311291.

[cbrick]

If that Mauser 308 bench rifle is just for shooting groups I highly recommend the RCBS 180 SPGC, for hunting the RCBS 180 FP. For the 30-30 either the FP or single load it with the SP.

My RCBS 180 FP mold casts WW heavy at 197 gr (without lube or check) and shoots very well from my 308 and it's hardly a bench gun. The 180 SP amazes me with how well it shoots from both the 30-30 single loaded and the 308 (single shot).

Rick

[cumminsnut76]

The only reason that i Threw the 308 into the mix is because I own it already and if i am going to have a mold at this time (college=little money)I want to try and get one that will work all the way around.

[rmb721]

I like the RCBS 30-180-FN better than the Lyman 311041 in my 30/30.

[Bret4207]

I'd go with the RCBS 30-180 FN. No need for a HP with that metplat, it shoots nicely in all my 30 cals.

HP's are great for many things but getting a HP to act like you want it to in a hunting situation is up in the post secondary level of cast booliting.

[Yance]

Saeco 315. Designed for 30-30, tapered design that is used very successfully as a target bullet. In fact, the box mine came in is marked "Match".

+1 on the SAECO. Being a "tapered" design it's more likely to work with different throats. My 788 .30-30 will do around 1" @ 100 for 5 shots with this one.

The Lyman 31141 (old) is a tack driver out of my Marlin 336SC. Bottle caps @ 100 yd (scoped).

[mpmarty]

Inasmuch as you're a starving student I'd look closely at the LEE two cavity molds. I've got one designed for the 7.62X39 that works great in my .308 and in my S/R 7.5X55 as well.

[Doc Highwall]

You have to remember his first priority is the model 94 Win in 30-30win, post #3. I still say the Ranch Dog clone with regular grease grooves 311-165 GCRF that is in the active group buy now followed by the RCBS 30-180-FN.