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AJC1
Member
Swap the rear to a Williams and see if that's enough
30-30 load development and casual observations
- Thread starter AJC1
- Start date
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AJC1
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Do the calculations and see what height you need. I'm willing to trade my globe
I’m getting a little braver with cast. I loaded up more 165 grain MBC bullets with the charge increases to 20 grains of H335. This should put me at 1600 fps and just make the 1000 ft-lb mark. I like round numbers. I’ll also see if I can zero my full power FMJ load at 100 to check for sight height.
I too am working on loads for my 30-30. I have a Win model 94 from 1941. The best load I have developed is 160gr FTX with 31 grains of AA4064. Very good groups to 150yds. I've been working on a good load for 170 gr LC and haven't been having very good success. I started with 5744 and no matter waht I tried the grouping was a trainwreck. I got IMR3031 to work better but still working to dial it in. I shoot cast bullets in other guns and calibers and haven't had these problems. Are there some rifles that just don't shoot cast bullets well?
Hooda Thunkit
Member
I think a better question would be "Are there certain cast bullets that may not shoot well in a particular rifle? ". And the answer is, of course, absolutely!
BTW, love the tag line. Lyrics by Neil Peart, sung by the incomparable Geddy Lee. I first saw Rush in concert in... 1976?
They opened for Uriah Heep...
Totally agree on all subjects! I am shooting .310 170 gr, so I am a little surprised they don't shoot as well as I expected. Changing up some primers and grain weight, so maybe I can get it to shoot a little better. Rush concert in '76? Wow, and they were the opener. Very cool.
GeoDudeFlorida
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- Dec 1, 2020
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- 11,257
This is where I like to introduce the subject of gas checks. Some powders will drive a checked bullet better in a particular barrel than the same weight, diameter, and profile bullets unchecked.
Some folks will correctly argue that the same thing is accomplished by stepping up to slightly larger diameter or by using a lubricant that seals the bore more effectively.
Both are worth trying.
Great point. I will add that to my list of variables. Thanks GeoDude!
My first foray into cast rifle bullets was with Alliant 2400 powder. 6” groups were the best I got with it. I’ve had better luck with H335 using light charges and velocity between 1400 and 1500 fps. With both 135 grain and 165 grain cast and coated bullets, accuracy seems to suffer above that. I’m shooting an old JM Marlin from the late 1970s though.
If you’re willing to shoot a lighter bullet, I found W231 pistol powder works well with a 135 grain cast and coated bullet. These are target or small game loads. Velocity is about the same as a 22 LR, but with a much heavier bullet that is also larger in diameter.
If you’re willing to shoot a lighter bullet, I found W231 pistol powder works well with a 135 grain cast and coated bullet. These are target or small game loads. Velocity is about the same as a 22 LR, but with a much heavier bullet that is also larger in diameter.
Which brings me to todays test. The higher charges of H335 didn’t do as well as I’d hoped. Just under 20 grains did ok. Above that I started getting fliers. I’ll probably drop back and stay with 15 grains and shoot a couple dozen rounds to confirm or deny that load. I’ll clean shortly and check for leading.
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AJC1
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I shoot that Oregon bullets .310 with gas check with 26 grains of tac... works great...
Any idea where I can buy gas checks in .310? Thanks. I have too many MC bullets and wont be buying any bullets soon.
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AJC1
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Gas checks are all standard 308. If you have a bullet cast for checks I use https://noebulletmolds.com/site/sho...hecks-tools/gator-checks-gas-checks/30cal-gc/
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AJC1
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I'd play with the 19.4 and see if it shoots as good on another trip. There are some targets that don't have 4 shots, are their less or same hole hits?
That should be 19.6. I labeled it wrong. But yes it did shoot pretty good. Dropping to 19 or 19.2 might be beneficial. A good load hopefully stays at about an inch from 50 yards so that’s what I’m looking for with these bullets.
I kinda lost focus and split the 15.0 load by shooting 2 shots with a center hold and 2 with a 6 o’clock hold. Those two groups of 2 should be overlayed. There are two shots in the 20.4 grain picture that were my attempt at putting 2 shots with Alliant 2400 in the same zip code. Now I have to pull all those before I forget which ones they are again.
I kinda lost focus and split the 15.0 load by shooting 2 shots with a center hold and 2 with a 6 o’clock hold. Those two groups of 2 should be overlayed. There are two shots in the 20.4 grain picture that were my attempt at putting 2 shots with Alliant 2400 in the same zip code. Now I have to pull all those before I forget which ones they are again.
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AJC1
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Then try lower in the 19 range, and see if you find a good zone. 19.5 is an easy charge to remember. Testing now though means it's probably only going to get cooler so being in the top end of a node is probably reasonable with it being Satan's armpit hot.
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AJC1
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Test one in a empty case first and see
Brilliant.
Well that worked well. The firing pin hit pretty good and went off. Now to load a few and see how they work.
