Hi, does anyone shoot a cast 135 gr PB (bhn appx 18) in 30-30 with any success ? Looking to stay under 1800 fps

Welcome to the forum.

I've not cast those, but in a 24" barrel, a case nearly full of Trail Boss, say, 15 grains, should do just about what you want by getting to 1600-1750 fps or so. Given the individual nature of guns and not knowing the length or condition of your bore, YMMV. I will point out that Elmer Keith developed the .44 Magnum with bullets that were 16:1 lead, tin, or about BHN 11. So you have more hardness than you really need. That means it may have trouble bumping up to bore size, so I would try sizing the bullets about 0.002" over groove diameter (0.310") instead of the usual 0.001" over groove diameter, just to be sure you get a good seal. An extra thousandth often hits best accuracy with harder bullets, especially in lever guns and revolvers for some reason.

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Nick

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beefyz,

Welcome to the Forum; I see this is your first post.

I cast bullets for my various .30/30 rifles. I have no experience with a 135 grain projectile. My favorite is the Lyman #31141, a flat point weighing about 175 grains with a gas check. I cast my bullets from OLD wheelweights and drop them from the mould into a bucket of cold water. I size my .30/30 bullets .309" and propel them with a charge of IMR3031 a grain less than the accuracy load for 150 grain jacketed bullets. Both loads shoot to the same Point of aim/Point of impact.

Again, welcome to the Forum.

Webley

Thank you both ,so far. I don't know why i'm having so much trouble locating data for this bullet. i couldn't see the economy in shooting any higher grainage, just to paper punch, and anything smaller doesn't seem right for a 30-30. Thought the 135 was a happy medium.
I just didn't want to "use the 150 data" as i've been told by others. Can't beleive i'm the only one trying to shoot this bullet.

I think the 150gr. data is exactly where I'd start. Work up and see what your gun likes.... it's too bad that no one else has specific loads, but hey, sometimes you gotta be the pathfinder

Let us know what you come up with.

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MikeG