30.06 cast bullet mold suggestions

[archeryrob]

So I am waiting on the Lyman 311041 173 grain mold to be available for the 30-30. I also might try this for a while in the 30.06 and see if I like it, but I was looking for a larger bullet for the 30.06. I looked at the 311299 which is 200 gr but it is a RN bullet and I wanted more of a FP bullet. I want this more for hunting than long range target shooting. Some areas we hunt are also thick I just think a FP bullet would handle a few sticks and probably deform faster and kill better.

Anyone have an suggestions on a gas checked, large, FP bullet? The largest I have seen was a Saeco at about 180 gr but 173 to 180 is not worth the extra mold to me.

 

[forrest r]

Ya gotta pay ($$$$$) to play.

 

[MEHavey]

All of Tom's designs are going to be FP variants:
https://www.accuratemolds.com/catalog.php?page=4#catalog-anchor

 

[243winxb]

the Lyman 311041 173 grain mold

Looks like a good choice for both 30-06 & 30-30. To get diameter, an alloy close to #2 may be needed.

I used this Lyman for target/plinking in both cartridges. Pushed both with IMR 4895 powder. Do buy a Lyman "M" die. The 1903 Springfield, with it new $25 GI barrel loved them, back in the day.

 

[AJC1]

Your comment about the ability to handle sticks and stuff may drag you thread off into Neverland lest I digress...

Having a mold that works for both rifles looks like a blessing. If you were really motivated you might have one of the cavities modified to be a flat base and get your extra weight and have a bullet you like without a GC. Just an idea.

 

[brewer12345]

I use noe 311-195 fn. With a check it casts at 198 grains and has a huge meplat. At 80 yards out of my 30-06 the doe was finished on the spot.

 

[Barbaroja]

http://arsenalmolds.com/products?product_id=84&limit=75

Probably my next 30cal bullet I wanna play with

 

[DocRock]

The ideal cast bullet for the 30-06 is the Lyman 311284 220 grs, but it isn't flat point. Nevertheless, at @15 BHN and 2000 fps, it will kill very effectively.

 

[archeryrob]

I use noe 311-195 fn. With a check it casts at 198 grains and has a huge meplat. At 80 yards out of my 30-06 the doe was finished on the spot.

I saved this one, Maybe I'll try the 311041 for 30-30 and in 30.06 and later get this one to try in the 06.

I have the Lyman M dies for both cases and Lee Ultimate 4 die sets. Just and still waiting for molds to be available.

 

[ms6852]

The ideal cast bullet for the 30-06 is the Lyman 311284 220 grs, but it isn't flat point. Nevertheless, at @15 BHN and 2000 fps, it will kill very effectively.

Not to mention, your shoulder as well.

 

[DocRock]

Not to mention, your shoulder as well.

Not at 2000 fps. It's not a little plinker, but hardly a bruiser.

 

[brewer12345]

Not at 2000 fps. It's not a little plinker, but hardly a bruiser.

Agreed. My 30-06 load with the 198 grain bullet is doing about 1900 FPS at the muzzle. Recoil is noticeable (unlike with the 1600FPS 118 grain plinker load), but pales in comparison to my full house 165 grain partition elk load.

 

[brewer12345]

I saved this one, Maybe I'll try the 311041 for 30-30 and in 30.06 and later get this one to try in the 06.

I have the Lyman M dies for both cases and Lee Ultimate 4 die sets. Just and still waiting for molds to be available.

The reality is that a properly placed bullet from any of these molds with a warmish load (for cast) and a soft enough alloy will kil deer inside 100 yards. Since I am shooting an '06, I want a big hunk of lead and the biggest meplat I can. But you can get away with less pretty easily.

 

[archeryrob]

The reality is that a properly placed bullet from any of these molds with a warmish load (for cast) and a soft enough alloy will kil deer inside 100 yards. Since I am shooting an '06, I want a big hunk of lead and the biggest meplat I can. But you can get away with less pretty easily.

I agree with you and it is why I am shying away from the larger lyman bullets as they are round points. I want heavy but I think 25 grains less with a larger meplat would be better. A larger round point will just punch through but a smaller bullet with better meplat will ball more. I'll look for the NOE later on. I have been told by the boss I have spent enough for a while on reloading stuff for a while. I said ok, I guess I'll start buying again in April.

She gets mad, but she gets over it. I keep her 9mm feed and signed up for the MP 147 grain mold. It has a big meplat on it too and probably make a nice defensive round for her/me. She shoots a G19 and me a G17 I inherited from her as not liking one that "big". $200 in mold and I'm done for a while. Other wise I prefer shooting my 1858 in 454 RB or 45 colt in the conversion cylinder.

 

[archeryrob]

I went on to check my Notifications for finding the 311041 and Midway deleted my notification for it and doesn't even have it on their store any more. Only been waiting two months to find one and said BS, I'm looking for clones or options. SO I found the NOE 311-184-FN-J5 5 Cavity mold for $99 and $110 out the door and it will work on the Lee six cavity mold handles I already have.

I had my micrometer out measuring 30-30 and 30.06 cases and I think it will get tried in both.

 

[brewer12345]

Noe makes very good quality molds, as do Accurate, Arsenal and MP.