Thread: Cast loads in 30-30

I have been loading some jacketed sub sonic rounds for 30-30 for a while and recently got some cast loads from Rob (shooternz). Its my first time loading lead bullets and noticed that upon chambering they bedded into the lands a wee bit. COAL is 2.500-2.510. This is a bit shorter than some of my other jacketed loads and is crimped into the cannelure (as short as I can get it). The lands are clearly cutting into the bullet a fair way and I don't think I can load these short enough to avoid this. I Haven't shot these yet but wonder if this is normal and safe to shoot as they are. I have various loads of these (Trail boss) to try in a Dark Marlin 30-30 with DPT suppressor. I chambered 4 rounds with same result and one had to be gently pushed out with a cleaning rod (not stuck very hard). I have kept up with some of the subsonic 30 cal threads lately but not seen anyone comment about this so apologies if I have missed something.

I've loaded the same as you (Robert's 151g pills & 8 graina of trailboss), after running jacketed subs in my marlin. Heading to the range on Saturday to choot em. Crimped in the canalure quite a bit shorter oal than yours 2.435 maybe. Also running a dpt suppressor . I will let you know how I go.

Hmm, maybe i should try a few shorter ones as well. Im thinking if i crimp shorter i will miss the cannalure but I guess that's not a big deal? Ive got 7.5 gr and 8gr loads to try as well so should be interesting to see how you go. I might get a chance to shoot a few tomorrow and get some speeds as well. Ive had reasonably good results with 150 gr berry bullets and 7.5 gr TB as far as accuracy goes- 2 groups shot so far- one 15mm 3 shot group @ 50m and one 8mm group@ 50 m with 1.5-4 leopoldo scope. Ive tried to catch a few bullets in milk bottle line ups but they are too punchy and keep exiting out the back( I think 6 or seven). Tried 200 mm clear macrocarpa post and hole out the back same size as hole in the front. These are all at about 1050fps

Ive taken a photo but not sure I can post it till Ive made over 5 posts! Nearly there! The Olgive is quite a bit shorter than the Jacketed berry bullet so this must play a part. I have 2 Marlin 30-30 s and both produced same result. Will post photo soon.

Cant seem to sort out the photo thing so will try again tomorrow

cartridge on left is as loaded(COAL 2.510), centre is after extraction from chamber showing rifling, right is a loaded berry bullet which chambers without touching lands (Coal2.490)

I have used those bullets before with no issue, currently I use 180 grain ones cast from a lee flat nosed mold oal 2.5 and they don't touch. From memory robs bullets are bore rider style ie straight sided from ogive to tail, the Lee is stepped from ogive to crimp groove the bullet is under bore diameter.
Bore riders are supposed to be more accurate but he'll it's a 3030 not a target rifle.
A change in bullet style will fix it, alternately once loaded the only way out is forward should work fine.
I'll dig one of mine out later and put up a picture

Ok so I see that I have just crimped to the grove assuming length would be set ok. Because I’m loading TB at 7.5- 8 gr I can crimp into the lead maybe even down to COAL 2.4 (min length)before bottom on bullet reaches shell shoulder and still lots of space in case so as not to compress the powder. The bullet looks like it will touch lands a bit but not anywhere near as much.

Looks like you are sorted. Seating depth is not important with this cartridge and it's perfect for cast bullets. Those have a gas check fitted meaning you could whack them up to 1600 to 1800 fps no trouble, that's only 600 or so fps behind jacketed bullets.

Thanks for everyones help! Ill post some results here when I test a few groups and still keen to hear anyone else opinions.

You can crimp them anywhere,don’t need to go into crimp groove.had same issue with my .308 and those bullets,seated them real deep and crimped,problem solved.

its a marlin thing....factory projectiles come with crimp groove in shorter position FOR MARLINS.... we struck same thing as you have but as others have said,with the big long neck of the 30/30 case you can seat deeper without issue.

I would be poking them out at say 1500fps as MH has suggested...they will be deadly on game.

Got out today and dialed my scope in for mr FTX 2209h load. Mint. Unfortunately I took a mate who's not a shooter with me so all I can say is the sub cast loads which were 7. 5gr trailboss worked well through the suppressor at 30m at were easily ringing the 3 inch gong standing. sorry I had 3 rifles and a pistol carbine to zero and i was trying to keep it fun

I hear ya. I ended u sighting in some .22 s with my son that had been recently adjusted to 10 round mags so had put scopes back on etc. ran out of time to get to my cast lead 30-30 rounds but think I’ll have a chance tomorrow. I loaded up some shorter ones so will have a variety to try out. I did get a chance to chamber a few and found In The dark marlin I can just clear touching the lands at 2.440- 2.450 so your length is prob spot on.