30-30 RCBS 180 range report

[Marc]

I finally got a good group out of the RCBS-30-180-FN bullet in my 30-30! The mold cast a little small at .3085" to .309" with wheel weights. I tried several different powders and charges even though I knew the bullets were undersize because I had cast quite a batch and you never know. But, I never got any good groups. Before I cast the second batch I dimpled the blocks on each end with a center punch which pushed up a little ring of metal and spaced the blocks out a couple thousandths. The resulting bullets measure .3105" and I sized them in a .310" die. I then took the extra step of weighing the bullets. My first attempt was with IMR4895 and results were no better than with the smaller bullets.

I then decided to get back to basics. For my second trip I loaded my old reliable load of 20 grains of IMR4198. That load does well with just about any normal weight 30-30 cast bullet that I have tried. Eureka! With the bullets seated to the crimp groove that load put five under 1" at 50 yards. The rifle is a 1950 vintage Winchester 94 with 20" barrel and standard iron sights. I will take the chronograph next trip and try some other powders. It is encouraging to see what the bullet is capable of!

[Old Savage]

Sounds like a fine load. I am guessing you are in the 1700 to 1750 range on velocity.

[tman]

great report,thank u.

[J Miller]

Marc,

Suggestion. Before you go dimpling any more molds go to a refrigeration place and buy a roll of the aluminum conduit tape. It's like .001" to 002" thick. Put it one one side of the mold and you're there. And the modification is reversible if you need to.

Joe

[JDL]

+1 to J Miller's suggestion. My mold casts them at .310 and I run them in a .311" die to lube and attatch the check. My best load is 35 grains of H-414 which was reccomended by Mr. John Kort as being a good load and it certainly is.
JDL

[Marc]

I would think 1700 FPS is in the ball park. A 165 grainer I chronoed did 1800 with 20 g. 4198 in a 24" barrel.

I have used the tape before and decided to try the center punch this time. The center punch is simpler to me. I won't have any problem restoring the mold if I so desire. Its just a little basic blacksmithing.

I am going to try some of the slower burners like 760/H414. The 4198 load will probably do fine for me since I can't hunt with cast here and I would use the 356 Win if I could. About all I will kill with the RCBS 180 is steel rams.

[Chuck 100 yd]

Spacing the mold blocks apart just makes for bullets that are not round. Better to lap it out using a bullet cast in that mold with a screw placed in the base and some laping compound. Turn the screw/bullet lap slowly with a variable speed drill and replace it with a new lap as needed until you have the size you need. Slow and easy does it!

[Old Time Hunter]

Or...buy Ranch Dog's .311 FN Mould for like $20+

[44LVR]

While checking the zero of my 30-30 today I shot 3 groups at 100 yards using bullets cast from my 174gr Lyman mould, weighing 180.5grs sized and lubed. Sizes were 1 1/4", 7/8" and 1 7/8". I was using 27grs 3031.

44

[Marc]

Sounds good! I have 3031. I will try it.

[44LVR]

Sounds good! I have 3031. I will try it.

Please post the results, I would sure be interested if it shoots as good as the Lyman mould with 3031 as I may get the RCBS 180 in the future

44

[1894cfan]

I'd suggest trying SR4759 with lead bullets, it burns cooler and cleaner.

[Bluehawk]

I am shooting bullets from that mold in 94 COWBOY COMMEMORTIVE MOdel 20 in I use 30 grains of Varget . It is a Hunting load and shoots around an inch + at one hundred yards . Shoots about 1950fps Mine are 195
W/ lube and gaas check ( Lee LA with two coats ) They drop at 310 from my mold

[Charles]

26/H350 is a good load for that bullet. I got it from Glen Fryxell, who got it from Jim Taylor and it worked for me. In fact I have found H350 to be an excellent powder for top end loads in both the 30-30 and the 32 Win. Spl..

I also use the AC aluminum duct tape (.003 thick) to give some extra size to undersize molds from time to time. It works just fine and any out of roundness is of no consequence at the target or game.

[Marc]

I like Varget a lot. It works well in my 356W also.

Never heard of H350. Do you mean H335?