will shooting 165 grain bullets from MBC in my 30-06 using "the load" cause leading?

[bhhacker]

Was thinking about buying some lead bullets for plinking and small game hunting and using 13 grains of red dot with it. Would this cause lead fouling?


#1 Whitetail
.309 Diameter
165 Grain RNFP
Brinell 18
For .30-.30 Lever Guns

 

[wgaynor]

Depends. If you slug your barrel, it will get you a good start on finding an answer. You want the cast lead projectile to be bigger diameter than the grooves in your rifle.

I tried it in my m77 hawkeye and it leaded alot. projectile was the correct size in relation to the barrel, and it was gaschecked, but the lube looked like it ran out 3/4 of the way towards the end of the barrel.

I'm working up a different type of lube to see if it helps. Also, if you can, try a gas check.

 

[Jim Watson]

I used 700X instead of Red Dot.
12 grains was good with Lasercast bulk cast bullets.
.309" might be a little small, but that is what they make.
A cast bullet should fit the throat and if it doesn't, groove diameter plus a thou might not be enough.

 

[Don McDowell]

Would it cause leading? Going to depend on how well the bullet fits the throat and the bore.Going to depend on whether you put on to much crimp ,and if you chamfered the inside case mouths. Will depend on how much copper and other fouling is in the bore that will tear hunks of lead off the bullet..

 

[35 Whelen]

I have shot several hundred cast .30 caliber bullets in the 165 - 205 gr. weight range with the exact load you question but always in a 7.5x55 or 30-06. No leading ever, BUT my bullets wore aluminum gas checks but on the other hand they were all fairly soft in the 11-12 BHN range.

All that being said, "The Load" is too heavy for your 30-30. Back off to 7 grs or so and work up.

I'm betting you're shooting a Marlin which according to those who shoot cast through the Micro Groove barrels can present challenges with cast bullets due to the shallow rifling.

As inexpensive as the bullets are I'd buy a box and try them. If they lead try a different load/velocity.

35W

 

[bhhacker]

I am using them in my Browning BAR 30-06 so the 13 grains should be good to go for that. With my old 30-30 i just used unique and it was perfect with these particular bullets.

Im just a little more leery of using them in a semi auto aught six

 

[wgaynor]

I've shot alot of plain based cast bullets at pistol velocities (1200fps or less) with no leading in my Marlin 336c .30-.30. I don't think micro grooves cause any problems.

 

[35 Whelen]

I've shot alot of plain based cast bullets at pistol velocities (1200fps or less) with no leading in my Marlin 336c .30-.30. I don't think micro grooves cause any problems.

I've only worked with cast in my old Marlin 45-70 a little and didn't have much luck. Over on the Cast Boolit forum some have no problems and others have fits.

35W

 

[RainDodger]

What will matter most is the velocity, when it comes to the bottom line. Velocity and lead hardness. Faster=more leading, softer lead=more leading. And vice versa of course.

 

[stubbicatt]

OP you may wish to have a custom expander made so as not to change the diameter of the slug by seating forces. Try to get half a thousandths pull. You will want to treat your ammo gently but it should work for you.

My $.02