Hunting with cast 30 caliber bullets

[Whit Spurzon]

Howdy,
I picked up one of Ranch Dog's excellent molds and the bullets it produces shoot very well in my Marlin 336's. I typically hunt with my 45-70 but I'm thinking about giving skinny (cast) bullets a try. How fast to they need to go to poke two holes in a deer?

[Andrew]

I don't know, but there are plenty here that will argue with you about what should. I mean, discuss with you what should.

[runfiverun]

the 32-20 did it at 75 yds at an astounding m.v. of 900 fps
handgun broadside shot.
out to 100 or so go for 1800 plus if possible.
make sure it has a flat nose, and don't use lino-type.

[44LVR]

I don't know much about the mould you are using but I'll say that I have used cast on deer in .30 caliber for years, mostly the .30-30. My favorite is the Lyman 311041 that weighs 180.5 grs sized and lubed ready to load. I have used 25 to 28 grains of 3031 for years depending on the gun. I don't know the velocity, never checked but I'll guess close to 2,000fps. I use straight WW's with 1-2% tin if I can afford it, none if things are tight

I've been trying to remember a deer I shot twice and can't. My particular bullet does very well and a few of my friends use it too. I'll (sometimes) be hunting with the Lyman bullet and 27grs of 3031 this year for deer

I would guess that as long as your bullet has enough weight to it and velocity is up around 1500fps or more, you'll be fine for deer.

44

[Whit Spurzon]

Thanks guys.

[JDL]

I shot one right at 200 yards and it put 2 holes in him. .300 Savage/Lyman 311466HP/18.2 grains H-4227, probably 1700-1750 fps.
JDL

[txpete]

ranch dog 165 30 cal bullet. 173 gr's my alloy.I hope to try it on a hog later this year.
these bullets drop at .314 about perfect for the marlin shooters with MG barrels

[pdawg.shooter]

I do it every year. 180gr flat point. BHN 12.5 30-06, 57.0gr AA4350. Bullet sized .302 and paper patched to .310. Works every time.

[KCSO]

My hunting load for the 30-30 is WW 748 and I am pushing my 31141 at 2000 fos. This load is as good or better than factory jacketed loads. For mid west deer up to 175 pounds I want a bullet of over 160 grains and a velocity of at or over 1700 fps.

[ohio hunter]

The 311440 out of WW/tin pushed at 1800-2000fps (H414) does me just dandy. I have seen some pretty impressive wound channels with this boolit and you can eat the meat right up to the hole. Older eyes has me using a scoped Marlin 30-30 MG that just loves this fodder. Testing shows that I can speed it up some(and keep boolit integrity) and I think I will this year as a couple longer shots present themselves and boolit shape does slow it down quickly.
J

[Charles]

Being a cast bullet nut and a 30 caliber fan, it warms my heart to see the responses of you guys to this thread. Good going guys!

[Old Time Hunter]

txpete, I use the Ranch Dog 173gr sized to .309 in my Winchester in front of 32 grains of H4895 and use a GC...seems to work fine!