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PhilOhio · 08-03-2009, 07:05 PM

Hugh,

That's a beautiful piece of wood on that grip panel.

Thanks much. This project of reloading for the new (to me) caliber is looking easier and easier...for reasons some of you may be unaware. Lead bullet molds for .30 caliber are normally made to cast a bullet diameter of .309 to .310, with the expectation that they will be lubrisized to .308.

BUT...

The new Alox tumble lube liquids, such as that made by Lee and others, changes all that. If the cast bullet is fairly concentric and within several thousandths of your bore, Lee recommends that there is no need to size it at all. Just tumble lube a few hundred in a plastic bag with their liquid Alox, let them dry in the open overnight, and load and shoot them. They say it works best with their molds for bullets intended to be lubed this way, but that it works for any cast lead bullet. I have it, but have not tried the stuff yet.

So with just about any mold casting the correct weight of .30 Luger bullet, the diameter coming from the mold should be close to .310". Just tumble lube and shoot 'em. Sure beats the way I have done it with every other caliber for 40 years. Those bullets are going to be very close to the exact .3095" number in my primary reference book, mentioned earlier.

One problem I am running into is that I can't find a mold for as light a .30 bullet as this round requires. Closest I have or know about is the .30 Carbine bullet, but at about 120 gr., that's probably too heavy. .32 ACP is about the right diameter and 80 grains, which is a little light. Anybody use that? From the mold it should be about .310". Works fine in 7.65MM French Long, which is about the same bore. There's an odd one; I make the cases on a lathe from .32 S&W Long; not so hard, actually.

08-03-2009, 07:05 PM	#11
PhilOhio User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 145 Thanks: 5 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts	Hugh, That's a beautiful piece of wood on that grip panel. Thanks much. This project of reloading for the new (to me) caliber is looking easier and easier...for reasons some of you may be unaware. Lead bullet molds for .30 caliber are normally made to cast a bullet diameter of .309 to .310, with the expectation that they will be lubrisized to .308. BUT... The new Alox tumble lube liquids, such as that made by Lee and others, changes all that. If the cast bullet is fairly concentric and within several thousandths of your bore, Lee recommends that there is no need to size it at all. Just tumble lube a few hundred in a plastic bag with their liquid Alox, let them dry in the open overnight, and load and shoot them. They say it works best with their molds for bullets intended to be lubed this way, but that it works for any cast lead bullet. I have it, but have not tried the stuff yet. So with just about any mold casting the correct weight of .30 Luger bullet, the diameter coming from the mold should be close to .310". Just tumble lube and shoot 'em. Sure beats the way I have done it with every other caliber for 40 years. Those bullets are going to be very close to the exact .3095" number in my primary reference book, mentioned earlier. One problem I am running into is that I can't find a mold for as light a .30 bullet as this round requires. Closest I have or know about is the .30 Carbine bullet, but at about 120 gr., that's probably too heavy. .32 ACP is about the right diameter and 80 grains, which is a little light. Anybody use that? From the mold it should be about .310". Works fine in 7.65MM French Long, which is about the same bore. There's an odd one; I make the cases on a lathe from .32 S&W Long; not so hard, actually.