Winchester 30-30 94AE and cast bullets
- Thread starter SARuger
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jwrowland77
Member
I just started casting for my Win .30-30 Mod 94AE. 160gr and 170gr for upcoming deer season. I'm coating mine to make sure I don't get any leading in the barrel while hunting.
I plan to test expansion on them soon though.
I've seen some test run on coated .30-30 cast bullets and the guy had great expansion. I'm using the same mix as he was, so I expect like results.
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I plan to test expansion on them soon though.
I've seen some test run on coated .30-30 cast bullets and the guy had great expansion. I'm using the same mix as he was, so I expect like results.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
redbullitt
Member
I would say coated for a few reasons.
Less smoke and lube mess
Should help prevent leading well, but still be soft enough to expand
You probably have a microgroove barrel, and sometimes it can be picky with cast bullets, so the coating should help there.
Cant really think of any reasons not to go coated.
Less smoke and lube mess
Should help prevent leading well, but still be soft enough to expand
You probably have a microgroove barrel, and sometimes it can be picky with cast bullets, so the coating should help there.
Cant really think of any reasons not to go coated.
Ifishsum
Member
Microgroove would be Marlin...OP states he has a Winchester 94.
If you want to load full power or anything near, I'd use either coated or gas checked. I cast my own and add gas checks for my Win94, never tried coating them but if I were buying bullets I would probably give coated a try.
If you want to load full power or anything near, I'd use either coated or gas checked. I cast my own and add gas checks for my Win94, never tried coating them but if I were buying bullets I would probably give coated a try.
SwaneeSR
Member
I would think coated is worth the cost if a hunting load. I assume a hunting load is pushing faster than a plinking load.
I load for my Stevens 325b bolt 30-30. I have not loaded any cast bullets, sounds like fun. My only complaint about my Winchester 94 and the Stevens is that the 30-30 caliber has it's limitations in hunting applications.
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I load for my Stevens 325b bolt 30-30. I have not loaded any cast bullets, sounds like fun. My only complaint about my Winchester 94 and the Stevens is that the 30-30 caliber has it's limitations in hunting applications.
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jwrowland77
Member
Not too many limitations. I took a deer last year at 178yd with my Mod 94AE using a 170gr Partition.
Granted, a cast you won't be able to push that fast unless you coat and gas check.
This is a range toy, I guess I should have added that. I don't want to lead my barrel, so from what I have read I may want to go with coated, not worried about the slight extra price. I hunt deer with my Ruger 10.5" SBH or my Remington 20g 870 "Slug Gun".
As far as a 30-30 shooting distance, My Savage 340A will get it done to 400yrds with the 130 Spires. I use open sights to do it, Williams FP TK rear and Marble ramp/front sight.
I will be benched beside some guy with a $2000 benchrest rifle and ringing the same gong they do with my 1953 Savage that I paid $175 for off of a local facebook gun trader page. It messes with their head badly!
Never underestimate the old 30-30! Its a fun round to play with!
Now my Winchester wont do what the Savage can, I load my ammo in a practical way, so that the rifle can be used in a hunting situation so my OAL is always set for the mag. In the case of the 94AE, I want to load ammo that will be safe in the tubular magazine and since its a range toy that "might" see a deer hunt someday, I will do the same for it.
As far as a 30-30 shooting distance, My Savage 340A will get it done to 400yrds with the 130 Spires. I use open sights to do it, Williams FP TK rear and Marble ramp/front sight.
I will be benched beside some guy with a $2000 benchrest rifle and ringing the same gong they do with my 1953 Savage that I paid $175 for off of a local facebook gun trader page. It messes with their head badly!
Never underestimate the old 30-30! Its a fun round to play with!
Now my Winchester wont do what the Savage can, I load my ammo in a practical way, so that the rifle can be used in a hunting situation so my OAL is always set for the mag. In the case of the 94AE, I want to load ammo that will be safe in the tubular magazine and since its a range toy that "might" see a deer hunt someday, I will do the same for it.
jwrowland77
Member
Very nice SARuger. Furthest I regularly shoot mine to is 300yd (paper right now. Hunt in a spot where I don't have much further than 250yd for hunting)
What powder you running with those 130's if you don't mind me asking?
My next addition to mine is going to be a rear peep sight.
FROGO207
Member
If you single load the spire points from the top/side with the action open or put it in last and immediately chamber the round you can use it.
Just make sure it is not too long to chamber if running it through the action. I do this with 150 grain Cor Lokt bullets in mine, run deeper and crimped with a FCD. The only trouble is poor expansion due to lower speed impact with bullets made to work at higher velocities. Make sure you work up your load if you seat deeper to keep from having pressure problems.
I have also run Laser Cast 170 grain 30 cal LRNFP bullets to just over jacketed starting velocity using IMR 3031 in my 94's and marlin 336 micro groove with no leading and great on target results at 100 YDS.
Just make sure it is not too long to chamber if running it through the action. I do this with 150 grain Cor Lokt bullets in mine, run deeper and crimped with a FCD. The only trouble is poor expansion due to lower speed impact with bullets made to work at higher velocities. Make sure you work up your load if you seat deeper to keep from having pressure problems.I have also run Laser Cast 170 grain 30 cal LRNFP bullets to just over jacketed starting velocity using IMR 3031 in my 94's and marlin 336 micro groove with no leading and great on target results at 100 YDS.
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jwrowland77
Member
If you single load the spire points from the top/side with the action open or put it in last and immediately chamber the round you can use it.
I have also run Laser Cast 170 grain 30 cal LRNFP bullets to just over jacketed starting velocity using IMR 3031 in my 94's and marlin 336 micro groove with no leading and great on target results at 100 YDS.
Yeah. I've been thinking about this. May have try a Partition like I've been thinking about. Maybe test it one some milk jugs.
stubbicatt
Member
I've been experimenting with 180 grain RCBS bullets in my 1894. The jury is out. I'm not getting consistent performance, but I'm still working on it.
Buck13
Member
If you single load the spire points from the top/side with the action open or put it in last and immediately chamber the round you can use it.
You could also load one in the chamber and one in the magazine, and have two backup rounds in a loop holder on the stock for reload after the first two are fired. Technically safe, but a bad day if you mistake three for two just once!
stubbicatt
Member
As a followup to my initial posting, 2 above, today I shot a load consisting of the 180 grain RCBS RNFP with gas check installed, over 15 grains of IMR4227, and got a 100 yard group of just under 2 inches. Maybe 1 ½ inches at 100 yards with it off a benchrest. CCI large rifle primers, medium crimp. Perhaps your rifle will like that load too, SARuger?
the Black Spot
Member
My sons winchester 30-30 likes imr4198 and varget with a lee 170 gr cast from wheel weights and gas check.
jwrowland77
Member
That's what I'm planning to try....IMR 4198. Heard it's a pretty good powder for cast rifle in the .30-30.
GooseGestapo
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A 170gr +\- cast bullet can be loaded with same loads as jacketed.
Suggestions:
1. Use gas-checked bullets coated or uncoated.
2. Use .311" or maybe .310" bullets. Smaller invites problems.
3. Go to castboolits.com for good cast bullet advice.
Added: 4198 is ok. H4895, BLC2, and Reloader15 give me best results.
The Lee 170gr (mine casts to 178gr) over 30.0gr of Reloader15 gives special meaning to .30/30!
2,250fps exceeds performance of factory ammo. My rifles 3, two M94's, and Marlin M336, all shoot as well or better than factory jacketed. However, I and the M336 prefer the 150gr Lee (160gr). It feeds a little better from the magazine. I however prefer the .35Rem for hunting. Cast or jacketed.
Suggestions:
1. Use gas-checked bullets coated or uncoated.
2. Use .311" or maybe .310" bullets. Smaller invites problems.
3. Go to castboolits.com for good cast bullet advice.
Added: 4198 is ok. H4895, BLC2, and Reloader15 give me best results.
The Lee 170gr (mine casts to 178gr) over 30.0gr of Reloader15 gives special meaning to .30/30!
2,250fps exceeds performance of factory ammo. My rifles 3, two M94's, and Marlin M336, all shoot as well or better than factory jacketed. However, I and the M336 prefer the 150gr Lee (160gr). It feeds a little better from the magazine. I however prefer the .35Rem for hunting. Cast or jacketed.
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RunninLate
Member
I have been shooting some RangeDog 170 grn with gas checks and had no problems. Then I saw where Missouri Bullet had some that were coated and just got some in. HAve not had a chance to shoot them.
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