.30 cal moulds, need some advice...

[klausg]

Guys-

I'm trying to figure out what my next acquisition should be. I have pretty much decided that I need a .30-30; this decision was brought about by finding 60 rounds of shiny expended brass @ the range that hadn't even been stepped on yet, (as an excuse to buy a rifle, it's pretty weak, but what the heck). My dilemma, (compounded by the want to cover 30-30, 30-40, 308 & 30-06 with one mould), is this what mould to buy. I like the RCBS 30-180-FN, my concern is how well it would work in the 30-30, considering it'll probably weigh 185+ in WW. I also like the Lyman 311041 and other than the light weight, the RCBS 30-150-FN; so... any suggestions?...advice? Thanks in advance.

-Klaus

[Bullshop]

That RCBS 30/180 is a good one you dont have to worry about. It works great in the 30/30 308 and 30/06. The 30/30 likes heavy cast boolits so dont worry bout that. It will do good with even heavier than that. I do like the RCBS but my most favorite 30 cal is from LBT, its a 200gn LFN.
For a one mold do all the RCBS would not be a mistake.
BIC/BS

[versifier]

A Lee soupcan mould is an inexpensive addition to anyone's .30cal collection, and a very versatile boolit, too. With that and the excellent RCBS 180FN you are looking at (and I'm glad to see Bullshop speaks well of it also), you can deal with anything from varmints to maybe even moose with a careful shot. Cast of a hard alloy like lino and sized appropriately, the little soupcans can be launched at impressive velocities with comparatively flat trajectories for clean hits at 200 yds and more. And I've never met a .30-30 that didn't shoot them well. But then, I suspect that the .30-30 may be the most cast friendly rifle cartridge there is. (If I am wrong about this, don't burst my bubble; my ignorance is bliss! :mrgreen: )

[fatnhappy]

I'm of the opinion you should try either a 311041 or a 311291. Both are pretty generic well vetted designs that should serve everyone of the cartridges on your list very well. Pushed hard, I'd narrow it down to the 291.

Dean

[SharpsShooter]

I like the RCBS 30-180-FN, my concern is how well it would work in the 30-30, considering it'll probably weigh 185+ in WW. Klaus

My 30-180-fn gives me boolits of 194gr with WW. On a whinychester 94 with receiver sight 1" groups are very common at 50yds. Nothing wrong with it at all. It works well with reduced loads for plinking and can be throttled up for hunting easily as fast as J-word boolits.

SS

[PatMarlin]

(If I am wrong about this, don't burst my bubble; my ignorance is bliss! :mrgreen: )

That's what I say about all my thoughts versifier. Don't pop my bubble.. :mrgreen:

[PatMarlin]

I just aquired a new member of the family myself. In the 45-70 Trapdoor Springfield variety of 1884.. :mrgreen:

I didn't find the brass though, Someone paid up on some money they owed me.. :Fire:

[Junior1942]

My RCBS 30-180-FN bullets in ww alloy weigh 195 grs RTL. In a Model 94, load with enough Varget for ~1900 fps and one heck of a deer/hog load.

[dk17hmr]

Buy a Bolt action 30-30 and cast pointy bullets for all of them.:mrgreen:

[David R]

I remember when I had only one 30 cal mold. Now I have about a dozen and two more on order. I have found the boolit has to fit the rifle like it was made for it. The group buy 311407 shoots best by far in my 1917 enfield. 311644 shoots best in my 308. Soupcan shoots best in my 32-20. 311466 shoots pretty good in anything............

I can make no single mold recomendation, just get em all.

David

[454PB]

I too have quite a few .30 cal. moulds, but the one I use the most and seems to shoot well in all the calibers you mention is the Lee C309-170-F.

[redneckdan]

i have the lee 170-308-F, works good in my garand.

[Maven]

klausg, The only "universal" CB for the .30cals. you named is the Lee 113gr. "soupcan." I've tried (and sold) #31141, #311291 and even #311284 (to be sold), but wasn't thrilled with their performance in either my '06 or .30-30. However, Ly. #311466 (~160gr. Loverin) and Saeco #315 (Loverin body with a flat, truncated cone nose @ 175gr.) work quite well in the .30-30. #315 is an accurate performer in my '06, whereas #-466 is only so-so.