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The 30-30 takes to lead bullets like a duck to water. Loading priciples are slightly different than jacketed bullets, but nothing difficult. By playinfg around a bit, you can come close to or reach factory velocity without too much trouble. Your gun may or may not like that much speed, but you'll have to try. to se if you gun will work that way.
First off, I cast my own bullets. I've used the Lyman #311291 bullet for more years than I care to count. it's a good bullet in the 30-30, but some people are concerned that the round nose resting against the primer might be a problem. It has not been a problem for me in well over 40 years. A very popular bullet is Lyman's #31141 or 311041 under the new number. I have two of those molds plus an NEI clone and they have not worked well for me in any 30-30 I own. (M94, M64 M54 Winchesters and a 336 Marlin.) Snother bullet that I have played with is the RCBS #30-180-FN, which weigh 190 gr. in wheel weight metal.
My loads for the #311291 are 30.0 gr. IMR-3031 or W-748.
For the RCBS bullet, 28.0 gr. of either IMR-3031 or W-748.
For the #31141/311041 use data for #w311291.
my bullets in WW metal weigh 175 gr. for 311291 and 31141.
if you're going for full power type loads, just use jacketed bulet dat starting witht he start load and work up.
For me, the #311291 has taken 17 deer and the RCBS bullet 2 deer so they will work for hunting, but I believe one must be a bit more careful about bullet placement with cast.
Bullet size is important. I cannot stress that enough. My preference is for
.310" which will work in both Winchester and Marlin rifles. A diameter of .309should work in Winchesters, but I've found that in the Marlins I've owned with Micro-groove rifling that .310" works better.
You must bell the necks just like for handgun ammo with lead bullets. I use a Lyman "M" die to do the job. If you have something like a .338 or .35 caliber spitzer bullet, you can get away with that but the Lyman die makes it a lot easier and more consistant.
I have not used the Laser-cast or any other commercially cast bullets so will not comment on them other that some people say they're too hard. Probably would not be good for hunting if they're that hard, but just fine for targets.
Anyway, that's the best I can do for you.
Paul B.
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