Help reloading the 30WCF with original Win 1894 reloading tool

[Black River Smith]

The main question for this posting is: What cast bullet can or should be used with this reloading tool, for proper length and crimp? Ideal or Lyman #?  (Lyman / Ideal 39th reloading manual list a # 308241)

Now, I know that the original bullet was a 160 gr jacketted, factory produced.  Then a 170.  Then later added the Short Range lighter bullets that had a specific reloader.  But this loader is marked only 30WCF, so I am going to assume a standard bullet length and weight.

Can someone maybe post a picture of an original 30/30 Winchester bullet mold (I will keep looking on Ebay for image of one)?

Then also, what is your favorite reloading powder and weight for a 'standard' load?

[w44wcf]

Black River Smith,

The original 160 gr. factory bullets were round nosed as were the later 170's. The cartridge O.A.L. was the same for both with the 170 gr. protruding a bit deeper into the case.

I have searched the internet for a long time looking for an image of the bullet mold Winchester offered for their standard weight bullet but never found one. I did see and do have the Winchester molds for the two .30 W.C.F. S.R. (Short Range) bullets.

I do have an Early Ideal 30-30 loading tool which includes the bullet mold. The bullet mold has the 308241 bullet, a plain based 155 gr. r.n. plain based bullet, so it can not be driven much past 1,400 f.p.s. without loss of accuracy.  The 308241 was later known as the 311241 and has been obsolete for many years now.

The first gas checked bullet for the .30-30 was the Ideal 308291, later renamed 311291. Originally it was 170 grs but the current version is closer to 185 grs.

I would say that, today, the Lee 160 gr. gas checked mold is the closest to the original mold unless one has an earlier version of the 311291.   http://www.midwayusa.com/product/613249/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-c309-160-1r-30-caliber-309-diameter-160-grain-1-ogive-radius-gas-check

For a midrange load, I like 16/4227 which clocks about 1600 f.p.s. with a 170 gr. made from wheel weights. For 2,000 f.p.s., a harder alloy is needed and either 32/748 or 35/H414 get the nod.

w44wcf  

[Black River Smith]

w44wcf,

Thanks for sharing your information.  I will work along those lines and look for one of those molds.

BRS