Frustrated 30-30s in AZ

I have 5 marlin 336 30-30s as follows: 1964 Westernfield, 1967 Glenfield, 1969 Marlin, 1977 Marlin, 1978 Marlin, all 5 slug out at .3075″ – .3085″. All 5 rifles will shoot jacketed bullets at 100 yards with a 2 – 3” group.  I ordered a NOE 311-165-RF 2 cavity GC, my understanding: this mold is designed for the older Marlins.

I sized at .311″, but the bullets would not chamber in any of the 5 rifles. I then sized them again to .310″. The bullets were engraved by the lands and groves before  the ogive. I would have had to trim the cases over a ¼” to get this bullet to fit properly in my chambers, but then it would not act as a bore rider.  As sold, this mold casts bullets that will never work in my rifles. This is supposed to be the bullet design, according to Ranch dog, for my era of rifles. I sent a letter stating my issues to NOE via the contact info on the web site.  I have yet to receive a reply.

I then researched and found the SC311 165Gr. RF 2 cavity GC. This bullet’s nose is shorter and instead of the bullet being sized straight from the base to the ogive diameter as the previous mold. This mold right after the front driving band measures .303″ as per specs and tapers to the meplate diameter. My understanding, is that the SC311 165Gr mold is smaller in diameter before the ogive. Being designed for “Remlins” with shorter chambers, I thought it might work in my 5 rifles also with shorter chambers.

The SC311 165Gr. RF mold throws very good bullets, but only half of the cast bullets will chamber in only one 30-30, that is the 1977 Marlin.  This gun has the largest lead/throat of the 5 rifles.  This mold is supposed to cast .311” diameter and in front of the  1st driving band as per NOE specs is supposed to be .303”.  When casting with COWW, the SC311 165 mold will cast bullets of .3115” to .312” diameter (this is good) and the diameter in front of the 1st driving band is .305” to .308”. (This is supposed to be .303” as per specs.) These bullet noses hit the lands, when seated to the crimping band.  My findings are the bullets that will chamber in the one rifle are the bullets with the smaller diameter nose. 
I then trimmed my brass from 2.039″ to  1.98” (.059” shorter).  The gas check was below the neck crimped at the cannelure.  I loaded quite a few and the accuracy is minute of a huge barn door!  I figure this was because bullet was no longer a bore rider and was jumping into the lands affecting the accuracy and the bullet base/gas check below the neck.  I would have lived with shorter brass if the accuracy was there.  Rats!

I have cast numerous times, varying the temperature, from 600-625° F to 725-750° F, hoping to get the nose to cast a smaller diameter on my water quenched bullets. I checked the Brinell Hardness with a Lee BHN tester.  My alloy, water quenched is 20-22 BHN.  The same alloy air quenched is approximately 12 BHN.

In all 5 rifles the bore/lands where the bullets seats is .300″ – .3005″. I ordered a nose sizing die to size the nose on the SC311 165Gr mold as I felt that this would fix my nose size problem. While trying to nose size the SC311 165Gr. RF 2 cavity GC the NOE top punch that is to be used to push the bullet back out of the nose sizing die does not fit in the bore of the  .300″ sizing die as per NOE instructions.  Creating the inability to push the bullets out  of the sizing die. I cut a ¼” rod to use with the nose size top punch holder, allowing me to tap the bullets out of the sizer. I was able to size the nose to .300″, which just lightly engages the lands in the chamber. Okay, good.

I went to remove the nose sizing die from the holder die body and the small set screw has chipped the die body. The nose sizing die from the small set screw has also, peened the edge of the nose sizer lip. I had to tap the die out of the holder with a punch and then had to to file the peen off as it would not reinsert into the die holder. There was damage from the peening  of the set screw.  I guess the pressure of sizing the SC311 165Gr nose from .305”-.308” down to .300 is creating a lot of force when tapping the bullets out of the sizing die.  Thus, peening the set screw and retaining lip on the sizer itself.  I did lubricate the bullets prior to sizing, but the lube was cut off during sizing. 
I have yet to shoot these nosed sized bullets as Arizona went to fire restrictions this week, with no shooting in the forest/public lands until further notice.  I hope the nose sizing will shoot accurate.  I am unsure of the longevity of the NOE nose sizing die because of the small set screw peening.

This is a good concept but when a person taps the bullet out of the die body there is too much force and it screws up the small set screw and the shoulder on the nose die. This set up needs either more set screws, larger screws or a reinforced way to hold the nose sizing die. In the case of the NOE SC311 165Gr, I had to shave .005” to .008″ (.305” – .308” to .300” diameter of the nose sizing die) to get these bullets to chamber. The NOE SC311 165Gr. RF 2 cavity GC bullet removal from the sizing dies is what messed up the set screw holder in the nose sizing die.

I do shoot the 170 Grain Lee bullets that I cast and about 70% of these Lee bullets will chamber after sizing and lubing. Once I nose sized the Lee bullets 100% would chamber
The Lee bullets cast .300” – .301” at the nose.  I only need to nose size .001” or less.  I don’t need much force to tap out the bullet from the sizing die as the NOE SC311 165 Gr. The Lee bullets don’t put as much stress on the set screw of the NOE holder with the bullet removal from the sizing die.

It is too bad that I have over $250.00 plus dollars in 2 molds and nose sizing dies. The only cast bullet that chambers and shoots and is marginally accurate at 75 yards (4 -5 inch group) is the $19.99 Lee mold.. ARRggggg… The Lee nose diameter is good, but the bullets cast out at .309 – .3095″.  Thus the accuracy problems in Micro Grove barrels.  I have honed the die but to get by, but I want a good quality mold to work. 

Casting bullets is supposed to be relaxing and the opportunity to save money….hahahaha. …

Any other people problems with the ranchdog molds and Marlin 30-30s.
Thanks for reading my rant.