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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,556
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,556 |
I tried several different powders and even pointy bullets in my Henry single shot. I went back to the old standard 3031 and some 150-grain seconds from Midway to find where it did the best. It shoots great with a bit over max charge.
I have other rifles, for when I need speed and distance. The old standard bullets and velocities are where the 30-30 belongs.
I have killed deer to 168 yards without issue.
You did not "seen" anything, you "saw" it. A "creek" has water in it, a "crick" is what you get in your neck. Liberals with guns are nothing but hypocrites.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2 |
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,474 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,474 Likes: 2 |
The thread on "first deer rifle" got me thinking I need to dust off my .30-30 and work up some loads for it, it's a Marlin 336. I stopped hunting with it before I got into reloading so never loaded for it. Found some brass and bullets and ordered some Hornady FTX 160s and Speer 150 flat points.
I have Varget, H4350, RL-15,Tac, and some others on-hand. What has worked for others with 150s and 160s? In older days, we used 3031 pretty much exclusively .. dad insisted on using 150 grain sierra pointy-point since we were shooting Savage bolt actions and he wanted the higher ballistic coefficient. (Yeah, I know, but talking to him is like debating a cement block.) It worked pretty well with 170 grain hornadys in a Winchester 94 trapper I owned in the late 80s. In the most recent one, Lever Evolution did really well. I also tried H335, CFE223, and .. I don't recall what else. I would start with Lever Evolution. 3031 accuracy is good but the velocities seem lower than ideal.
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a M�bius strip.
Here be dragons ...
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,147 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,147 Likes: 1 |
I’ve been running 36 Gr of RL15 under a 150 Win Power Point in my model 94 for years and it’s killed a lot of stuff. That is my same load. Shoots great
If you find yourself in a hole....quit digging
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,528 Likes: 8
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,528 Likes: 8 |
my two favorites are H322 and AA2230, but I prefer the 170 grain bullets
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 28,172
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 28,172 |
Ever wonder why Dupont named 3031 with that number, 30-30 fans?
Hunt with Class and Classics
Religion: A founder of The Church of Spray and Pray
Acquit v. t. To render a judgment in a murder case in San Francisco... EQUAL, adj. As bad as something else. Ambrose Bierce “The Devil's Dictionary”
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,422 Likes: 4
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,422 Likes: 4 |
First off, to be perfectly honest I haven't shot a 30-30 for some time now, especially in full power loads. However, usually IMR 3031 was what I used. I did do some testing with H335 and H4895 but 3031 always seemed to work best in my rifles, one of which has a birthdate if 1911. When I do take it out these days I run mild cast bullet loads through the old girl. It was originally my Great grandfather's gun.
These days when I shoot a 30-30 it's mostly with cast bullets and either Unique or 2400. I still have one unopened can of SR4759 I can use. My favorite bullet for the 30-30 is the Ideal, now Lyman #311291 although my Ideal is marked #308291. I have two molds marked 31141 and 311041, same mold plus a clone made by the now defunct NEI and I've never been able to get any one of those to shoot worth schitt. Not in the 30-30, .303 Savage when I had one nor the .308 and 30-06.
Favorite loads are 30.0 gr. 3031/170 gr. Speer, 5.0 and 10.0 gr. Unique and various weigh cast bullets from 100 gr. to 190 gr. and I also use the 30.0 gr. 3031 with the Lyman 308291. I also have a 311291 two cavity that I sometimes use. I've had the 308291 since 1954 and it's an excellent mold.
These days I treat my 3030s as fun guns. At the most they might be used on harassing a few Arizona jackrabbits but other than that I just kill paper with them. PJ
Our forefathers did not politely protest the British.They did not vote them out of office, nor did they impeach the king,march on the capitol or ask permission for their rights. ----------------They just shot them. MOLON LABE
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,612
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,612 |
My absolute favorite load for the .30-30 is 35 grains of H-414 pushing the RCBS 30-180 FN (192 grains ready to load) 1970 fps from my Marlin 336 A. It works fine in 3 Marlins and 1 Winchester plus a .303 Savage. I got that load from MR. John Kort about 20 years ago and it has worked fine ever since.
Last edited by Joe; 12/31/22.
Shew me thy ways, O LORD: teach me thy paths. "there are few better cartridges on Earth than the 7 x 57mm Mauser" "the .30 Springfield is light, accurate, penetrating, and has surprising stopping power"
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,242 Likes: 33
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,242 Likes: 33 |
I have two molds marked 31141 and 311041, same mold plus a clone made by the now defunct NEI and I've never been able to get any one of those to shoot worth schitt. Not in the 30-30, .303 Savage when I had one nor the .308 and 30-06. Pic I posted earlier with the levermatic was shot with the 311041 w/gas check. It is my preferred bullet for the .30 Sneezer on the 50 yard butt for obvious reasons....no gas check. Guess on my part, but you might want to check fit and/or take a look at your alloy hardness.
I am..........disturbed.
Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 401
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 401 |
This. I quit looking for a 30/30 powder after trying it several years back.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,073 Likes: 3
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,073 Likes: 3 |
IMR 3031 for me, 30.0 grains & the Hornday 170 grain does the trick in my M-1894 in .32 Winchester special
41
We deal in lead, friend.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10,835 Likes: 3
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10,835 Likes: 3 |
I haven’t loaded.30-30 in about 30 years, but can still remember 30 grains of 3031 with 170 grain bullet. It was one load for which I’d break my ironclad rules of never loading by memory. Who could misremember 30 grains of 3031 for the .30-30?
Mathew 22: 37-39
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,777 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,777 Likes: 1 |
Always had the best results with W748. Did just about as well with RL15 and AA2520 Just acceptable with H4895 and H4198 and the Lever powder. I tried some after all the good reviews about velocity, but the accuracy wasn't there with my firearms, and that's enough for me to disqualify it. I have shot a box of the factory loaded Leverevolution to rule out an error on my part, but the accuracy was as so-so as my loads. Just picking one ? W748 for me
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,150
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,150 |
There's a lot of decent .30-30 powders, but I think today Leverevolution is the clear frontrunner
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,812
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,812 |
Here’s a QL fun fact - 3031 gives the highest velocity of any powders with 150gr bullets in 30-30. Even more so than LVR, with 20% less powder.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 953
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 953 |
Wow, Great post. Thanks Chippy and Dan as always for pictures of the rifles and targets. This makes me want to get out the Marlin and see if I can still see through the Lyman Peep. Nostalgia in the New Year to all. Cast or Jacket it’s all fun in an bottle neck case with a cool old rifle
I used to only shoot shotguns and rimfires, then I made the mistake of getting a subscription to handloader.......
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,190
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,190 |
35 grains CFE 223 + 170 gr Sierra fp + Federal case + WLR = 2240 fps and 3/4" 100 yard groups from my 20" Marlin. CFE223 will get the most velocity with the lowest pressure and produce excellent accuracy I've got some of that too, thanks. Have either of you compared it head to head against leverevolution? I have. It's been awhile, but the LVR was faster and accuracy was similar or a bit better in my gun.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,190
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,190 |
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,190
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,190 |
Here’s a QL fun fact - 3031 gives the highest velocity of any powders with 150gr bullets in 30-30. Even more so than LVR, with 20% less powder. Hodgden says different.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,273 Likes: 14
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,273 Likes: 14 |
35 grains CFE 223 + 170 gr Sierra fp + Federal case + WLR = 2240 fps and 3/4" 100 yard groups from my 20" Marlin. CFE223 will get the most velocity with the lowest pressure and produce excellent accuracy I've got some of that too, thanks. Have either of you compared it head to head against leverevolution? I have. It's been awhile, but the LVR was faster and accuracy was similar or a bit better in my gun. Thanks man, and thanks for the link. I checked the website yesterday, not sure how I missed that. I assume those 160 FTXs work just as well as other bullets on deer?
A wise man is frequently humbled.
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