I'm having really good results with the old ideal 311008 115 gr plain base, powdercoated, in 30-30 and 300 savage, BUT I'm using the RCBS cowboy neck expander plug which is a little bigger, and I'm sizing to .310.
Good small game load, accurate, and about 5 pennies in powder and primer!
OP, I'm in your camp about economy, and I treat this as a whole new load work-up.