30-30 Cast Bullet Issue

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  • chriskat

    Active Member
    Nov 1, 2009
    110
    Got the 150 grain mold today. When I get a chance I'll cast some bullets, load them up and see how they feed in the Winchester.
     

    Harrys

    Short Round
    Jul 12, 2014
    3,362
    SOMD
    Got the 150 grain mold today. When I get a chance I'll cast some bullets, load them up and see how they feed in the Winchester.

    I only have been casting for a short time. I just got my mold for my 30/30. I have been casting 45/70 300 and 350 grain heads along with .500 S&W Mags 300 and 380 grain heads. I have been using hard cast lead with 3% antimony. So far the molds I purchased were sized so that I did not have to resize after casting. It took about 6 weeks to get my first mold. I purchased 4 cavity brass molds they have been really great. I currently buy the lube and plan on making my own.

    http://accuratemolds.com/

    They make great molds.
     

    chriskat

    Active Member
    Nov 1, 2009
    110
    I'm sure they are nice. I've used Lee molds for many years. I find them to be perfectly serviceable. They heat up quick a drop quality bullets usually with the first or second drop. I do wish they were sized .001-.002" larger for any given caliber to allow me to size down to where I want to be. I've been thinking of some way to possibly lap them to get there.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I'm sure they are nice. I've used Lee molds for many years. I find them to be perfectly serviceable. They heat up quick a drop quality bullets usually with the first or second drop. I do wish they were sized .001-.002" larger for any given caliber to allow me to size down to where I want to be. I've been thinking of some way to possibly lap them to get there.

    Just use metal duct tape and you can increase the diameter. It is called "beagaling" or something like that. I have several molds I have beagled mostly for my Marlin big bores as they run large.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Beagling results in oblong bullets. If you want a larger bullet, buy a larger mold, or lap the mold. Watch this video.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIfcbDCYQPw

    That's true it does but it doesn't matter as long as you are not shooting for benchrest accuracy. My beagled bullets were good enough to win the 30-30 competitions on the 200 yard range 25 years ago with an 1894 built in 1898 that had a .310 bore.

    I was also able to impress John Pepper on the 300 yard range at Fort Meade with a beagled 8mm bullet in a 1924 Mauser rifle.

    For the everyday shooter, beagling a bullet mold is perfectly acceptable.
     

    chriskat

    Active Member
    Nov 1, 2009
    110
    Cast a few, four actually, of the 150 grain bullets. Loaded this one dummy for setting the seating die and chambered in the Winchester. Can still see where the rifling engages but it closed a lot easier. I'll load a box and see how they do.

    Jcnp1It.jpg
     

    erwos

    The Hebrew Hammer
    MDS Supporter
    Mar 25, 2009
    13,866
    Rockville, MD
    If you're near Rockville, I have a pile of coated flat point 150s that should work well for 30-30... pm me

    Sent from my SM-G981U1 using Tapatalk
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    OP, I know you are in a hurry to see how your load does but it is a good idea to let your bullets sit for two weeks as antimony alloys will age harden within that time. It's only a few points but as you can see by the ring left from your bullet seater, the bullet is still rather soft from casting. It can make the difference between the bore leading or not.
     

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