Thread: 30/30 reloading

Originally Posted by Cigar

AR2208 mainly, trying Leverevolution recently. Trailboss and 151gr cast bullets for subsonic.
Sierra 125 FNHP and 150gr Prohunter FN.
Hornady 150 and 170 interlock FN.
Tried the 160 FTX but not that impressed with accuracy, but they go okay in my 308 (mild load to keep to 30-30ish velocity)

What are those cast subsonics like? I've thought about cast bullets for my 30-30 but the suppressor I have for it (ODL) reccomends against using them in an Ocrania can..

Originally Posted by 308mate

What are those cast subsonics like? I've thought about cast bullets for my 30-30 but the suppressor I have for it (ODL) reccomends against using them in an Ocrania can..

I haven’t put one in an animal yet.
They are very accurate at 50m so should do the job if I do my part. Need to keep in mind they only have roughly 4x the energy of a 22lr sub so need to pick my shots.

Originally Posted by 308mate

What are those cast subsonics like? I've thought about cast bullets for my 30-30 but the suppressor I have for it (ODL) reccomends against using them in an Oceania can..

@308mate I have a ODL suppressor now on my 30-30, I emailed Bert about this subject but haven't heard back. What's the reason to not use casts, because you can't clean? Do lead casts leave a heap of residue in the suppressor? I used casts when I had my DPT, didn't notice any residue but then I didn't shoot a lot of them before getting ODL suppressor.

Originally Posted by joelhenton

@308mate I have a ODL suppressor now on my 30-30, I emailed Bert about this subject but haven't heard back. What's the reason to not use casts, because you can't clean? Do lead casts leave a heap of residue in the suppressor? I used casts when I had my DPT, didn't notice any residue but then I didn't shoot a lot of them before getting ODL suppressor.

So he has or had a comment on the ODL site not to use them which I am assuming you saw too - when I contacted him he told me some people were casting very soft lead bullets that sheared off the rifling. He tested a few and could hear them singing as they went down the can and they hit the target sideways.

I take it from that you could make them work with 'hard' cast bullets but I think you would have to make sure you made them hard enough (I don't know anything about metallurgy) or trust that the ones you are buying are hard enough. I don't want to risk that for a $1200 can.

Is your ODL a QD one or direct thread on? What sort of 30-30 do you have?

@ODL may be able respond directly

Originally Posted by 308mate

So he has or had a comment on the ODL site not to use them which I am assuming you saw too - when I contacted him he told me some people were casting very soft lead bullets that sheared off the rifling. He tested a few and could hear them singing as they went down the can and they hit the target sideways.

I take it from that you could make them work with 'hard' cast bullets but I think you would have to make sure you made them hard enough (I don't know anything about metallurgy) or trust that the ones you are buying are hard enough. I don't want to risk that for a $1200 can.

Is your ODL a QD one or direct thread on? What sort of 30-30 do you have?

I've got an Alpine Hunter, rather than a QD. I hadn't seen that comment on the website. I've been planning on casting, borrowed all the gear to do so. I guess the question might be how hard would be safe. Was going to be using wheel weights, thought I've heard they're around 90/10 lead and tin. Someone might give comment on hardness. Using a Thompson Contender single shot in 30-30, 1-10 twist. I guess if Hornady offer the Sub-X 175gr bullets for handloaders that could solve it. But there's an appeal to the casts, I found them really effective, massive blood trails. But got the pup now, so finding animals is easy.