Need advice on loading lead bullets for the 91/30

[mil-surp60]

I have a box of 170 grain laser cast flat nosed bullets 500 ct, was wondering if they could be used in my 91/30s they are 310 dia and if anyone has tried this or has any load suggestions for these in a mosin, i have 4064 powder right now can not get much more at this time. I would appreciate any help that coul dbe given thanx all.

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[WarPig1976]

Yes, you can use lead cast bullets. I don't load for 54r "tons of surplus" or lead cast but I do use IMR4064 with anything over 150g and it works very well for me.



The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.

Douglas MacArthur

[jimb16]

First, slug your bore and find out what size it is. If it measures .309 or less, then you are good to go. IF IT MEASURES OVER .310, don't use those bullets as they will lead the barrel. If it measures right at .310, you can try them and see how they work, but leading is possible. Unless they are gas checked, I wouldn't use 4064. I would go with 8 grains of unique as a starting point.

[Mike 56]

Slug your barrel i think those bullets are to small for your rifle. You could try 11gr of 2400 for unchecked loads. Here is article with lots of info on cast bullets in milsurp rifles. Cast Bullet Loads for Military Rifles - Article

[mil-surp60]

the rifle is a perfect .308 dia sniper mosin pu., just hate to not use all these bullets and they do have a gas check, do have another mosin sniper slugs at .311 unique hu?, i do use that in my .30 carbine and 45 auto so have lots of unique in cabinet, low on rifle powder , thanx ill try a few with the unique,btw great article in book t/y. i kinda figured 4064 would be too fast . But all i was able to get along with 4198,varget and 4895 have disapeared here in Ohio.

---------- Post added at 08:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:53 AM ----------

i would also assume these would require a roll crimp as well im thinking? Being lead bullets and such a reduced charge?

[Mike 56]

Try 8-9 gr unique. Frair the cases with a Lee flaring die before seating the bullets. Just crimp enough to remove the flair. Seat the bullet at least the dia of the bullet. If your bullets aren't lubed tumble lube them with Lee Alox Lube. A little goes a long way.

[mil-surp60]

No roll crimp on these lead bullets?That is interesting, thought all lead bullets needed roll crimped?But i have not reloaded many lead bullets but hate to not use these,may just sell them they were for a marlin 30-30 i traded off a while back.And they called for roll crimp in laser cast data book.I loaded and shot about 25 of them very accurate in my marlin 30-30, think they would sell? anyoe have a clue lol,im scratching my head on this one lol.thanx guys.

[TDH]

the rifle is a perfect .308 dia sniper mosin pu., just hate to not use all these bullets and they do have a gas check, do have another mosin sniper slugs at .311 unique hu?, i do use that in my .30 carbine and 45 auto so have lots of unique in cabinet, low on rifle powder , thanx ill try a few with the unique,btw great article in book t/y. i kinda figured 4064 would be too fast . But all i was able to get along with 4198,varget and 4895 have disapeared here in Ohio.

---------- Post added at 08:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:53 AM ----------

i would also assume these would require a roll crimp as well im thinking? Being lead bullets and such a reduced charge?

Milsurp60 I don't know where you are in Ohio but the Fin Fur and Feather store in Middleton Heights/Berea store had 4895 in both 1 and 8 pound containers last month and quite a bit of it I would have to assume that the Ashland and Akron stores have it stock as well.

---------- Post added at 12:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:35 PM ----------

also I tried 150 hornady soft points in .312 and pushed it with IMR 4895,H 4895 and Varget starting at 40 grains with each and adding another 1/2 grain up to 45 grains and I couldn't get any of them to shoot any better than factory or surplus. I got rid of both Mosins.

[mil-surp60]

My sniper mosins shoot rather well , i just loaded a hundred to go try out with 4064 in various weights from 150 to 220 gr rn , i will see how my handloads do in my snipers, i did manage to get 3 lbs of imr-4895 at cabelas, that will hold me over till midway or someone else notifies me it has 8 lb jugs, i just wanted to use these bullets as i allready have them and being 30 cal .310 dia seems they would work in a mosin that measures.308. in the bore with no counter bore , bore in my sniper izzy is imacculate.oh well was an idea ,guess ill just try and sell or trade them. I have lots of spam can ammo and plenty of 30 cal bullets maybe ill experiment , still think they would need roll crimped they did in my 30-30 loads.

[Mike 56]

Bolt action rifles don't need to be crimped some guys do crimp their cast loads lots of guys don't. If you are loading for a rifle with a tube magazine loads with cast or jacketed need to be crimped. If your bullets don't have gas checks i don't think 4064 is a good idea.