Another Mould Question

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Thought I had that mold. Looked it up and I have the RCBS FP in 150, not the SP. I have both the FP and SP in the RCBS 180 gr. Looked up the loading notes but I've done very little with the FP 150 having had so much better results with the RCBS 180's. Guess I wasn't able to help after all. In both the 308 and the 30-30 the RCBS 180's out shot the SEACO similar design and I had pretty much stayed with the RCBS 180's.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
the FP version is one of my favorite molds.
30-30 for deer hunting and stuff shooting up to jacketed velocity [totally not needed for hunting]
3030 again for small game.
30-06 for the same as above.
once again higher speeds not needed for hunting but it sure is fun to watch those little ground squirrels turn to a mist.
it's good on small game like head shooting grouse or bunny's though and does well on turkeys.
it casts easy, and sizes easy, I really like it.
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Actually I have two of the RCBS 150 FP, one I had Eric Ohlen open up the driving bands to cast .311 for my 30-30. 19.0 gr 4759 pushes it at 2150 fps.
 

Gary

SE Kansas
Thanks guys. My concern is that it would cast to small a diameter to work in my 06. I'm needing .311 .
 

462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Gary,

A slightly different mould, but I had to "beagle" the RCBS 30-180-SP to drop at .310", from a straight clip-on alloy. I seem to remember reading that RCBS uses an alloy to produce a .309" bullet, from a .30-caliber mould, thus a .310" or .311" bullet is not possible.

By the way, my 03A3 is in love with the 30-180-SP.
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Thanks guys. My concern is that it would cast to small a diameter to work in my 06. I'm needing .311 .

As I mentioned I have two of the RCBS 150 GR FP version, the unaltered one casts CWW +2% Sn right at .309". The one I had Eric open up the drive bands actually came out closer to .312". With this alloy they both cast right at 155 gr. I had the one mold opened up because my 30-30 as nice a bore as it has with no loose or tight spots is .3098" from one end to the other.
 

4060MAY

Active Member
I have both the 150-sp and 150-fp...could not get the sp to shoot as well as the fp, 30-30 and 30-40
don't remember the as cast diameter, been awhile since I shot either of them, the 30-180-sp is my go to mold
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
mine makes 310 easy enough with straight[ish] ww alloy.

it isn't that hard to lap a mold if it needs it.
 

462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Yep, and I've done some.

Hmmm . . . I do need some winter projects. Thanks for the nudge.
 

462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Quite good.

Problem is, as much as I'd like to visit the area and help out, your winter is incompatible with my comfortable climate level. Any chance the projects can be put off till the temperature is 70 with 30% humidity?
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
If it is 70 with low humidity what makes you think Fiver is working on any projects? He will be fishing or shooting.
 

462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
In that case, I'll make sure to bring along my fishing gear.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
I got the gear part covered... LOL.
I have some of the poles in pairs and some in 4's. matching reels and all.

70 and 30 would be right at the end of rock chuck hunting and the start of ground squirrel shooting.
then again when deer hunting is going to get started.
before, after, and during that is fishing.
 

462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
So, that's why your projects are put off until winter.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
the inside stuff for sure.
I also do all of my casting and most of my reloading during that time frame.
the outside stuff wraps up last day of august, dove hunting and grouse hunting opens the first of September.
if I bow hunted the elk hunting would be starting right then too.

winters suck,, but.