Popular 30Cal BenchRest Molds

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  • Last Post 17 January 2026
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Wm Cook posted this 09 January 2026

I was goofing around and was looking for molds that were popular for the 30 cal.  Long story short of the 78 molds were used from 21 to 2025 CBA Nationals, Accurate's 31-185C was the most common with the Accurate 31-220Fand several different LBT molds from 180 to 200 grain coming in second and third.

I must be missing something because from Accurate's website the 185C showed a flush nose. Its hard to believe that profile can shoot 21 ten shot 100 yard aggs that averaged 1.165.  What I expected was something more like their 185S but with a conical nose like their 210, 220, 230 boreriders.  Daniel (previously Tom) had sold 47 of of the 185S. So that looks popular. 

Just had eye surgery yesterday and it still didn't help.  I still can't see the 185C profile averaging over 2100fps with 21 different ten shot aggs that averaged 1.165"  Could you help me out.

Below that is a breakdown of the 2021-25 30cal molds, their weight, the cartridge, their velocity and their 10 shot 100 yard agg.  Thanks, BIll.

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Jeffrey54776 posted this 09 January 2026

Mr. Cook,

Attached below is a photo of the Accurate 31-185C bullet as cast, and next to it after being bumped and pointed. At this time the CBA'S President Dan Hisle is probably one of the biggest makers of this particular bullet. It shoots exceptionally well, but the forming process is tedious and expensive to set up.

 

Hope this clears up some of your confusion

 

Jeffrey Sechrist CBA Webmaster

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Wm Cook posted this 09 January 2026

Well I’ll be darn. I’d never would have connected the dots to get that answer. And there were fourteen different competitors that contributed to that 1.165agg.

It must keep Dan pretty busy with being president, handling life and still have time for bumping/pointing bullets enough to supply that many shooters. Thanks for that. Bill.

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John Alexander posted this 09 January 2026

Jeffrey,

Do you know why it makes sense to start with a cylinder instead of casting something closer to the final shape desired so less alloy would have. to be relocated in the swaging process?

John

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Jeffrey54776 posted this 09 January 2026

John,

In my mind, the excess of material with cylinder helps eliminate any void space in the bullet as you are pointing it up, as well as supplying enough material to make the longer length.

Jeffrey Sechrist CBA Webmaster

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Shopdog posted this 09 January 2026

It is durn near impossible to cast perfect ogives. The Eagan truncated noses being an exception.

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Tom Acheson posted this 09 January 2026

Challenging to find today, but don’t overlook LBT and Don Eagan .30 cal. molds.

Don’s molds were single cavity and brass. He had a lot of mold designs that were used to produce really good results,

Tom

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Wm Cook posted this 09 January 2026

I find it fascinating that someone created a custom mold to be made by Accurate that was designed to be bumped/pointed after the fact. 

Does anyone recognize this drawing.  I picked it up along the way when I was doing some research on the Egan design.  Bill.

  

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pat i posted this 09 January 2026

I think that's an Ardito design. Used to be pretty popular but you don't see them used much anymore. Forming that bullet pictured is pretty ingenious but just makes you miss LBT even more. Maybe Dan can come on here and show his tooling and process or write it up for the FS.

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max503 posted this 09 January 2026

I was thinking how effective that blunt tipped gallery load would be on rabbits.

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lotech posted this 09 January 2026

That's an Eagan MX4-30 ARD, 212 grs. linotype.  

 

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Wm Cook posted this 09 January 2026

That's an Eagan MX4-30 ARD, 212 grs. linotype

Thanks for that Lotech.  But is there much difference between that and Accurate 210E and 230E?

 

 

 

 

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358156hp posted this 10 January 2026

I'm also struck by the similarities between A3185C and H&G #38. Externally, at least.

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muley posted this 10 January 2026

I sent the prints to accurate to have a Mx-4 ardito made and it came out the 310230e

 

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Jed Curry posted this 16 January 2026

Can anyone tell me the specific swaging dies required to turn 31-185C bullets into the spire point bullet shown above?

Thank you,

JC

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Jeffrey54776 posted this 16 January 2026

Jed, the primary producer is Corbin but they are expensive. A secondary source is Larry Blackmon with Bullet Swaging Supply. As for the specifics for the dies, we all run something a little different, but usually consists of a core die and a point die to match your specific chamber.

Jeffrey Sechrist CBA Webmaster

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OU812 posted this 16 January 2026

Finding and using a good gunsmith that knows how to shoot cast with precision helps. Any good recommendations?

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Tom Acheson posted this 17 January 2026

Agree with OU812. Sadly the guy in our area left us in 2005. He was a very good match shooter and excellent gun smith. He knew what needed to be done to meet his customer’s expectations. Dick Reece.

Tom

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pat i posted this 17 January 2026

Agree with OU812. Sadly the guy in our area left us in 2005. He was a very good match shooter and excellent gun smith. He knew what needed to be done to meet his customer’s expectations. Dick Reece.
Dick was a really good guy. We had a lot of phone conversations and I was invited to stay with him once when I went to a Minn. match. Another loss and a guy I miss.

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