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Do any of you fellas reload for your .30-30 lever guns?
If so, why? ...and what do you load?

I did a search on several of the forums under .30-30 reloads, but didn't turn anything up.

Yes, I've been reloading 30-30s since the mid-70s. It was the first cartridge I ever loaded for using a Lee Loader-- dipper and all. I still reload 30-30s, but with different equipment now. Reloading is a hobby that I very much enjoy. That's the bottom line reason that I do it. I have some rifles that have never tasted a factory load. (Not my 30-30 though-- it has digested lots of factory stuff in its long carreer.)

As to loads, I could live with just two if I had to: 170 gr Hornady or Sierra, 33 grs Varget for about 2100 fps, and 150 gr Hornady or Speer, 34.5 grs Varget, for about 2300 fps. I also really like the 125 gr Sierra FPHP.

Thanks Chinook,

That's just the kind of info I'm looking for. What do you use the 125 gr Sierra load for ... paper, plinking, varmints or deer?

I'll probably pursue the 170 grain loads. I was just curious what others might be doing with this cartridge, and what bullets they liked. I shoot 154 Hornadys in my little 7x57 and have no complaints, so I'll probably start with their bullets. I'm also thinking of using W748 for its metering properties.

I've only killed paper targets and clay pigeons with the 125 gr Sierras. They are very accurate. When I (and my Dad after me) used to hunt with this rifle, we mostly used 150 gr Speers and IIRC about 32 grs IMR 3031. That was a good load and probably still is. Varget is supposed to be more temperature stable. I like that idea, though I haven't tested it myself, and I never had a problem hunting deer in coastal California weather with 3031. I've heard others say that the 125 gr bullets in 30-30 kill deer just fine. However, no experience there myself.

In addition to 3031, others have used RL 15. I've tried it and like it, but I always have Varget around for some other cartridges and reserve RL 15 mostly for 375 H&H which uses a lot of it. Soem have used Benchmark to good effect in 30-30, and some really like 748.

Good luck!

In a pre-war Sav 99 I'm using:
34gr H4895/150 Horn RN for 2339 f/s
31gr H4895/170 Part RN for 2145
WW brass and F210s.

SOS

Thanks Fellas, I appreciate your help.

WW brass, CCI 200 primers. Roll crimps in the cannelure. Marlin 336.

130g Speer with H4895 and BL-C(2). The BL-C(2) yields higher velocities at lower pressures. (2473fps @ 32,800 CUP per Hoddon).

150g Speer with H4895 and BL-C(2). H4895 yield higher velocities, BL-C(2) yields lower pressures and almost as much velocity.

170g Speer with H4895, BL-C(2) and Varget. BL-C(2) is again the velocity and low pressure champ per Hodgdon. My rifle likes the H4895 best.

I have tried other powders with these bullets but have pretty much settled on the 170g/H4895 load for hunting and the 130g/BL-C(2) load for plinking.

Thanks Coyote Hunter, That's some good info.

On another note: I'm assuming you like to hunt coyotes (petty perceptive, eh?). What rifle/load do you use for them?

Mostly these, and mostly the .257 these days:

.22-250 40g V-MAX @ 4052fps over Varget/CCI 250
.22-250 52g Match BTHP (Speer & Hornady) @ 3579fps over Varget/CCI 250

.257 Bob 75g V-MAX @ 3609fps over H4895/CCI 250

The Bob is a solid performer at 480-490 yards, as it has proven twice.

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I like Speer or Hornady 170 gr. flat nose with about 33 grs of Reloder 15.

Works in almost all my 30-30s. 4895 is also a good choice.

I don't crimp, if you must use a VERY light crimp.

Jim

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Like Chinook, I had real good luck with Varget in the 30-30. I mostly shot the Hornady 170gr FP.

I got excellent accuracy with IMR-4064 with 170 gr Corelokts. Varget is almost a twin for IMR-4064, though.

Yes, I'll second that! I have gotten superb accuracy out of the 30-30 with 4064! It's so accurate with 4064, that I'm certain that it would be a waste of time for me to try to improve on it. That being with Sierra 170 gr. flat points.

I've gotten several 1/2 - 5/8 inch groups with IMR-4064 out of my Savage 340 bolt action. The groups are larger with my Model 94, but still excellent for a lever action .30-30!

I too use imr 4064 w/ 173gr fn cast in our win94s and my 336w. excellant groups with the casts at 100yds open v sight. 1.5" to 1.75". could get tighter but for 50yd brush shots that good enough for me. Dave

I have taken whitetail deer with the Sierra 125gr FPHP. I have used it successfully in my .30-30 Marlin 336 and in a 7.62 X 39 SKS. It is a very effective bullet at woods ranges.

My current loading uses a Surplus powder that doesn't seem to be available anymore. I will next be loading this round with IMR-4895.

Wow. I was thinking "nobody" ('cept for a few loonies, maybe) loaded for this old cartridge anymore - given the quality of modern factory loads. But Man! there's a lot more interest in the old .30-30 than I ever imagined. I guess I don't get out enough, eh? I really appreciate all the input and commentary, Fellas. Thanks.

I used 3031 for years in the 30-30, but the last load I worked up uses IMR 4320.
I load 34.5 grains of that with a Speer 170 grain FP. In my Marlin Spikehorn (16 inch barrel) I get right at 1900 fps and very good accuracy.
The same load in my Savage Pump Model 170 shows 2150 fps, and again, exellent accuracy

Just getting around to getting my dies for the 30-30 WCF, I got to say, I have fired several hundred and collected a few along the way knowing someday I would reload them.

Heck ya it pays off to reload.

Here's a load I stumbled on after almost giving up on my 336.
30.5 grains of AA2495BR under a Remington Core Loc 150 grain bullet. Fed 210 primer and RP brass. My carbine would no shoot better that 4" and I tried three brands of factory and untold number of combinations of handloads using the most popular 30-30 powders. This brought my groups down to a respectable 2" or less. I droped a small 5 point with this load at 150 yards so I have confidence in this load's terminal preformance as well.