I have handloaded for several rifle cartridges over the years-all with jacketed bullets. However, I would like to try and work up a good load with a cast bullet suitable for hunting whitetails. However, I do not own (nor do I really have the space for using) a melting pot, moulds, etc. After reading a good article on just this idea in the Feb. 2005 issue of Handloader, I want to know where I can purchase already-cast bullets, preferably something like an RCBS 30-150-FN. Also, would these come pre-lubed and/or with gas checks installed? Any help you guys can provide is appreciated.

Brian

There are several bullet manufacturers out there. Do a search for cast bullet companies, and you should get a pretty good selection. Laser Cast and Meister come to mind right off the top of my head, but there are quite a few more out there.

If the bullets need a gas check, then they will probably have one installed already.

I've tried commercial cast bullets in one of my pistols, but got such terrible results that I gave up on them. Often, the bullets will be undersized or too hard for the particular gun and you get poor accuracy and leading. I ended up melting down about 400 of the remaining bullets and recasting them when I started casting my own. Your mileage may vary.


One special piece of equipment you will need whether you order comercial bullets or make your own is a Lyman 'M' die in 30 caliber. This die will bell the case mouth slightly so that you don't shave any of the lead off the bullets when you seat them, you then set your seater die to remove the bell in the case or you can crimp.

You are going to want to slug the bore of your rifle as well- http://forum.hunting.net/asppg/tm.asp?m=864124


You need to be sure that the largest driving bands on the bullet are at least .001" larger in diameter than the groove diameter. If the grooves in your rifle measure out to .308" which they are normally very close to on 30 caliber rifles, then you need a bullet that is sized to a minimum of .309"


If you want to try to make your own, its not too expensive to try your own, though more expensive than your initial box of commercial bullets will be, here's what you can get by with:

Lee 150 gr. or 170 gr flatnose mould: $14
Lee .309" sizing die $11 (comes with a bottle of Lee Liquid Alox, which is a very good lube)
1000 hornady gas checks $18
Camp stove with an small old cast iron pan or pot or $30 Lee precision melter.
+
Lyman dipper $12

Or a cheap Lee melter such as a production pot IV which is a bottom pout where you will not need a dipper. $47

A bucket of used wheelweights from your local mom and pop garage.

whether you want to try to cast your own or not, I would reccomend a Lyman cast bullet handbook- costs about $15, its an invaluable reference book as well as a reloading manual.
You can buy all o this stuff at midwayusa.com


I think in the article they used 4198 and SR 4227 powders, but for what its worth, you almost can't go wrong with Aliant 2400- this stuff is not sensitive to position in the case, you don't need any fillers, and an accurate load can be found most of the time by starting with a charge of 16 gr.

Laser cast makes really fine bullets all lubed and ready to go. They might have changed there lists but the last one i have says that they only make a 170 gr rn; fp for the 30-30. you minght want to check with them at www.laser-cast.com or what would be fun is a 100gr. half jacketed rn speer bullet in your gun. good luck vangunsmith

this is a friend of mine, he does quaility work, with a great warranty, he has 30-30 hard cast bullest in 30-30/ .309 good guy and he'll work with you, his name is terry labbe

best of luck


http://www.magnusbullets.com/

I've killed several deer with the 30-30 and cast bullets. I used the Lyman 311041 mould and heat treated the bullets by dropping them in a bucket of water right out of the mould. This is explained in the Lyman or RCBS Cast Bullet Manuals. Load I used was 26 or 27 gr. 3031 depending on my mood while loading. Never had one run more than 30 yards, and on one buck nearly facing me, I dug the bullet out from under the skin on his off hind quarter. He just went over backwards and never moved. Finally got rid of the old Winchester though, I got spoiled on the triggers on my varmint guns and couldn't get used to that heavy trigger pull.

Goggle "hard cast bullets" you'll get a dozen pages to choose sites from. Pick an outfit near you lead bullets can really chew up your shipping money. Or like mentioned above cast some from wheel weights and save big bucks.