Lee Loader

I am about to embark on casting for my .30 cal rifles. I have been researching options and am getting overwhelmed with data. I want to load paper punchers for my .308, 30-06, 7.5 Swiss, 7.62x54R Mosin and perhaps 7.62x39 for my SKS. I have pretty much decided to go with a .312 diameter and size as needed but perhaps I am being too ambitious. I have kinda leaned toward two weights, 100-130 and 150-185. This, I think, should cover the calibres. Does anyone cast for the .30's and what have you found works for you.?

Thanks

Good question. I'm stepping into 7.62X39 and 300BO at the same time. I actually intend to use OEM for both but I might get interested in casting for them.

I've been pleased with the 312-155 Lee it has shot quite well in 06' and 308 , it was amazing in 30-30 . The NOE 311-230 is showing some promise in the faster twists . It's no good in 12s , hit and miss in 10s but should be the cats pajamas in the faster twist found in the x39 , 54R and BO I just haven't gotten there yet . It is also available in a 313 dia I believe .

I have an old Lee single cavity that carries a part number of 90367 it throws a 160 grain that has worked well in my Swiss and in my Moisin as it casts a fairly fat bullet. I seem to recall trying some in my M1 but not being impressed enough to pursue it farther.

I also have a couple of Lyman molds that may both be obsolete one is the 311359 that casts around 115 grains with my harder alloy and seems to work well in the SKS. The other is the 311413 which casts right around 170 grains and is a gas check design that what little I did with it worked well in the Garand and the Swiss, but that was all done some time ago and I've lost the data from those tests. I keep telling myself that i need to cast a bunch of all the 30s and do some playing around with them.

Make smoke,

Thanks for the suggestions. I have looked at the .312 155 and 185 from Lee. I have read a lot about the 113 grain "Soup Can" but can't find it for sale up here in the cold white north.