.30 Caliber

     Requests for various calibers, weights and styles of cast bullets for rifle applications seem to be unending. Certain calibers and rifles work well with cast bullets while others do not. Many requests come in for cast rifle bullets (and pistol bullets also for that matter) with Gas Checks. (Copper cups attached to the base of the lead bullet to protect the base from the hot gasses that could melt the bullet and leave lead deposits thus fouling the barrel and destroying any accuracy.) While there will be a select few bullets that I will offer with gas checks for specialized applications there is generally no need for them in pistol use as the alloy that I run is suitable for velocities in the 1800 to 2000 fps range. Gas checks are no guarantee of accuracy or reduced fouling for any given application despite what you have heard or believe. Gas checks can be an asset or detriment depending upon how they are used. Some types of competitive shooting do not allow their use. (BPCR) ... The major reason that there is not a large proliferation of bullets with gas checks being offered commercially to the consumer level is a simple one.. Cost. The price of gas checks is not prohibitively expensive in and of itself, (approximately $25.00 per 1000) it's the fact that there is NO machinery available to install them easily and automatically on to the bullet bases. The work needs to be done by hand and that means increased labor costs onto the final product. Since I do not live in China and do not have access to .39 cent per hour labor, it’s not feasible unless IT IS for a specialized application. The final cost would equal or exceed what one could buy jacketed bullets for..... Some rifle calibers lend themselves to terrific performance without gas checks like the venerable classic .45/70 or the .38/55 or the .40/65 and the .30 carbine and the .303 British and .405 Winchester to mention a few. (Many of which have had their interest rekindled due to Cowboy Action or long distance shooting with older style single shot rifles.) ..... Still there are some looking to shoot reduced loadings in their pet rifle just for the fun of it or they are looking to hunt with a minimum of damage to a prized pelt by using a cast bullet. For that reason I offer cast bullets that will perform that role easily. Rifles that are loaded to velocities to a maximum of 2000 fps will find bullets that will meet their needs without gaschecks. ....... Rifles are generally more demanding of cast bullets than most of the pistol calibers out there. Size diameters are much more critical and it takes a bit more work to find the right load for a given application but the results are definitely worth it. There are plans to bring out a .30/ 170 grain Round Nose Flat Point Gas Check bullet in the near future for Cowboy Action Matches. I will also expand into producing some Gas Check designs that I will offer without the checks so that you can install your own to keep costs down. Keep checking back to see what's new.
    Just click on any bullet to get more detailed information. If you are still uncertain about which bullet will best meet your needs just drop me a line president@pennbullets.com or give me a call (412 767-4670 Monday - Friday 10 AM - 5 PM EST) and I will help.

Bob P.