Planning for a reloading

[pullnshoot25]

Having looked into my inventory recently, I have discovered that my lack of 44mag/44spl and .30-30 is quite unacceptable. As such, I feel the need to remedy the situation and am therefore going to have a reloading party at a friend's house with a couple gun buddies I know.

Here are my question for you guys...

1) I plan on casting my own bullets for my rifles (Win 94 .44mag/spl trapper and Marlin 336 20") and I need to find a good set of molds for each caliber. What is a good bullet weight for these calibers? Who makes a good mold? I am planning to load for general purpose purposes, if that helps any.

2) How much is the average cost of brass? I have some 30/30 brass on hand but I definitely need more... I also need a lot of .44 (Ideally, I would like 200 cases of each to start with and I will add to it when funds permit/necessity requires)

3) What powder is a standard powder for each cartridge? Titegroup seems to be pretty well known for the 44, but what about the 30/30?

4) What kind of lead do I need for 30/30 and 44mag/spl velocities? Can I use wheel weights or do I have to buy reclaimed shot bars/hardened lead, etc?

I know that there are a lot of questions but I am just starting out in all of this. I just purchased a book on the subject too so that should give me some more information on it as well... or something.

Thanks Calguns!

-N8

[ar15barrels]

I would look for the yahoo cast bullets group or another good bullet casting forum and read through their FAQ.
Much of this is basic stuff that's also covered in the Lyman cast bullet manual.
This would be a good book to buy as it also is full of cast bullet load data.

[mike100]

I never cast a 240gr 44 mag/spl bullet, but if the velocity is over 800 fps, you will lead up your 44 bbl like you wouldn't believe (I've shot some hardcast bullets in mild reloads). I haven't tried it yet, but I hear gas checks are pretty much a must have for hot 44 mag loads shooting lead where the heat and pressure vaporize the base of the bullet. It's one extra step during sizing and one extra thing to buy, but no matter how you slice it, 44 magnum is just a spendy caliber. I look for jacketed bullets now. I have 3 moulds -all by lyman. they work good, but cost $50 a pop (none for 44). I just got into the casting thing because I got some free gear, but finding the time and the lead is always the biggest hurdle.

I found some good brass at the gunshow (100 pcs) and some new unprimed brass just recently. probably got $25 into that as well as two boxes of factory ammo I shot up and saved the brass from- once again- this isn't 9mm (hehe).

I do have 100 rounds of 44 spl brass, but there is no savings in it. I prefer to light load magnum cases. The 44spl is also $30 a box for factory stuff.

[CSACANNONEER]

If you are going to load "normal" loads using cast bullets for either caliber, you will want gas checked bullets. If you are going to load extra mild plinking loads, you can get away with wheel weight lead without GCs. I've got a great mild load for 30-30 using hardcast bullets. I came up with it in order to shoot at my dueling post without dimpling the steel. I do have a hardcast reloading manual that will answer most of your questions. You might want to pick up a copy. If you only need load data for one or two loads, PM me.