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.311 Lead Cast Bullets in Micro-Groove Barrel?

SkyWatcher
For reloading purposes: Given the fact that .311 lead cast bullets will work for an M1894 (assuming "conventional wisdom" of oversizing lead bullets), is there any reason that they wouldn't work in a micro-groove 30-30 barrel?

(Note: This topic is a spin off/follow up of the thread in general discussion in re the give-away of 30-30 bullets posted by Iconoclast.)

To whom much is given, much is expected.
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Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • richbug
    I have never used 30 cal lead bullets in a micro groove gun, but have used lead in a 35 and 45-70 micro groove gun. micro groove leads very badly, as it seems to strip off the out er part of the bullet and leave the lead in the barrel. Accuracy will be poor. This is the reason marlin brought back the Ballard rifling in some guns.

    My border collie is smarter than your honor student.
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  • pack rat633
    That's been my experiance also. Had a 1895 45/70 when they came out in the 80s, it had micro-grove, and shot lead terriable. Now got one the new Guide Guns in 45/70, with Ballard rifleing, and it shoots lead great. I don't think a 30/30 with micro groveing will work worth a darn with lead.

    SEMPER FI MAC, SEMPER FI
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  • john w
    try copper coated lead bullets it will cut down on any leading

    It's All Crapola!!!
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  • Iroquois Scout
    Lead bullets will work in Micro-Groove barrels if you do two things: 1.)Cast them very hard and size them close to groove diameter. 2.)Limit velocity to about 1600 fps or less. Doing these two things I have shot lead bullets in both .45-70 and 444 Marlin with Micro-Groove rifleing with good results. Now, haveing said that I will agree that the new Ballard rifleing will handle a wide range of lead bullets better then will the Micro-Groove. For hunting I like a softer flat nose bullet cast 20 or even 25 parts lead to one part tin and driven at 1700-1750 fps in a .45-70. The Ballard rifleing will handle this bullet very well averaging 1-1/2 to 2 inch groups at 100 yards from my 1895 Cowboy useing Williams peep sights.
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  • MIKE WISKEY
    THE ONLY THING I CAN ADD TO I.S.'S POST IS TO USE THE SLOWER POWDERS FOR WHAT EVER CARTRIDGE YOU ARE LOADING FOR AND ADD A GAS CHECK IF THE BULLET IS MADE FOR IT. I'VE LOADED A LOT FOR THE MARLIN M-94'S IN .44 MAG. AND THIS WORKS WELL (HARD BULLETS, IMR 4227 OR 4198, AND GAS CHECKS).
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