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]

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

[USSR]

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

Ed,

The bullets, cast as hard as they are, weigh in at 100gr when lubed. I started off with 11.5gr of 2400, but that was too light. So, I bumped it up to 12.0gr and 12.5gr. While I haven't chrono'd the loads yet, 12.5gr seems about right.

Don

[jjroth]

do you notice any stuttering / feeding with the lead sliding over the feed ramp?
I used the Winchester HP (exposed lead node) and had some stuttering, I minimized /eliminated this by smoothing / polishing the feed ramp with 300 paper glued to a 1/4" dowel rod.
Have anyone noticed this?

[USSR]

Not me.

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