Thread: 30/30 reloading

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.