Looking for load recommendations for 135 grain Mastercast .30 cast loads

**MT1** · March 15th, 2014, 02:19 PM

I stopped by Mastercast and picked up some cast .40, 9mm, and .30 bullets this week. Does anyone have any load recommendations for 135 grain RN FP .30 bullets in .308, 30-30, or 30-06? I would have preferred a heavier bullet but this is all they had and load data is sparse for the 135 grain.

They are not gas checked; however, they are running 18-20 on the Brinell hardness scale so leading at the lower velocities shouldn't be bad.

**daschnoz** · March 15th, 2014, 03:07 PM

10gr of Unique is the go-to load for 308WIN when other data isn't available. The same 10 gr will also be ok in 30-30. You can safely up that to as high as 15gr in 30-06.

Expect something between 1600fps - 1800fps.

**R L Suehr** · March 15th, 2014, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by daschnoz

10gr of Unique is the go-to load for 308WIN when other data isn't available. The same 10 gr will also be ok in 30-30. You can safely up that to as high as 15gr in 30-06.

Expect something between 1600fps - 1800fps.

I was just researching this earlier today. Why I haven't tried it yet I think I'm going to start with @ 8.5gr of Unique. Her's a link to the cast bullet forum I have been using for research.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...lit-Rifle-Load

**MT1** · March 15th, 2014, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by daschnoz

10gr of Unique is the go-to load for 308WIN when other data isn't available. The same 10 gr will also be ok in 30-30. You can safely up that to as high as 15gr in 30-06.

Expect something between 1600fps - 1800fps.

Originally Posted by R L Suehr

I was just researching this earlier today. Why I haven't tried it yet I think I'm going to start with @ 8.5gr of Unique. Her's a link to the cast bullet forum I have been using for research.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...lit-Rifle-Load

Thanks for the feedback.

**cephas** · March 15th, 2014, 05:10 PM

Another part of the castboolit forum for cast loads. Didn't see anything specific for 135 grs. but may give you some ideas. Plug in other search values.
http://www.castpics.net/project2/Cas...Search+%28*%29
With a bhn of 18-20 low pressure loads may lead and accuracy could suffer. May wish to examine BHN to pressure for obturation: "#1 Chamber pressure must equal or exceed (BHN X 1422) for obturation to occur, else leading and poor accuracy result."
http://www.lasc.us/Brennan_3-3_CastB...quirements.htm
Then again with cast you won't know until you try. Have also used Unique and 2400 in applications like this.