Loading lead bullets in 30 Carbine

[Irish Jack]

I happened to see a place selling cast bullets for the 30 carbine at a reasonable price but before I start reloading these for my M-1 carbine, I wonder if there are any problems in using lead bullets with the gas cylinder on the carbine. Any one out there have any experience with this? TIA

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[Johnny Peppers]

Can't speak for everyone, but have a friend that has shot cast bullets from wheel weights in his carbines for years with no apparent ill effects.

[jimb16]

The majority of carbine handle cast bullets without problems. But just to warn you, those few that don't like them lead up the gas cylinder and piston something awful. If you are going to try them, make sure you have a piston nut wrench handy! You might need it.

[beachbumbob]

+1 for both Jim and Johnny.

2 friends of mine and I wore out 3 Carbines shooting cast bullets in the late 60's. They were 2 Underwoods and 1 Inland that worked perfectly. One of the guys started with a Winny and it started leading up after a couple thousands rounds so he traded it off. We also shot a fair bit of surplus, I always thought that probably help us avoid the problem.

Bob

[USSR]

Have been reloading my own cast bullets for awhile now. I cast the bullets quite hard (alot of linotype), and size them to .310". Am using 2400 and H4227 powders.

Don

[Ed Johnson]

I just started casting and shooting them in my carbines. I use wheel weights and drop them into cold water out of the mold. I also put a gas check on them as well. Have only fired about 50 rds. or so but see no signs of leading. Bullet is 120 grain RN. Load is 13.5 grains of #4227. They function well and are accurate. No doubt that some rifles will not like them and will lead but from what I have heard others on here who shoot them say, with gas checks you should be OK. Hope this helps.
Best...
Ed

[Neal Myers]

You can't rewrite the laws of physics.

The .30 cal carbine USGI round performs pretty much like a .357 mag. We learned 50 years ago that, while you can fire unlimited soft lead target loads through a .38/.357 without problem, when you load to .357 mag velocities, you'd better use copper jacketed bullets.

[barkerwc4362]

The key to using lead alloy bullets in any cartridge is matching the alloy hardness to the pressure/velocity being created. A high pressure/velocity cartridge such as the .30 Carbine will more that likely require a hard alloy (like linotype) and a gas check to prevent leading at top velocities. I would also recommend a hard lube. The gas system also adds another dimension. I have ordered a Redding 120 grain RN gas check 4-cavity mold to try. I have almost 50 lbs of linotype set aside. In my .357 revolver my favorite full power load is the Lyman 168 grain Kieth cast of a wheel weight/linotype alloy, lubed with Blue Angel lube over a stout charge of 2400. I never have leading problems, but then my bullets are also sized to .358, the size of the fronts of the cylinder. I also shoot cast bullets with success out of a (GASP) Marlin 1894C .357 Magnum with microgroove rifling. Bullets are again cast of a hard alloy, gas checked, sized .359/.360, and lubed with Blue Angel. The Redding 180 grain flat nose feeds perfectly and shoots small groups with a stout charge of WCC820.

Bill

[USSR]

The key to using lead alloy bullets in any cartridge is matching the alloy hardness to the pressure/velocity being created.

+1.

Don

[Ed Johnson]

Have been reloading my own cast bullets for awhile now. I cast the bullets quite hard (alot of linotype), and size them to .310". Am using 2400 and H4227 powders.

Don

What is your 2400 load? Weight of your cast bullets?
Thanks..
Ed