Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Ruger #1 30-30 shooters - help requested

I started a thread in the loading section, but there hasn’t been much action - hoping some of you single shot 30-30 shooters will chime in.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...729/30-30-ruger-1-handloads#Post19305729

For your application, the sky is the limit, so to speak. You don't have to worry about what kind of bullet you feed it, since it's a single shot. I'd pick a pointy one. It would be nice to not be limited to mag box length, like you do with some bolt actions, and bullet type. I do similar things with my 788 30-30, as that one doesn't have to be loaded with round nosed bullets. I'd think any bullet you can load in a .308 winchester, would also work great in your #1. Find the lands, back off a bit (.020"off the lands), work up for OCW and then you can rock on.. Just how I'd approach it though. What kind of bullet are you interested in? Some good ones could be:

1. 130gr TTSX
2. 125gr ballistic tip
3. 150gr Nosler ballistic tip, partition, interlock or gameking
4. 165gr Hornady interlock. Both SP and BTSP versions.
5. 165gr Nosler ballistic tip or partition

Man, so many bullets to list, that would work. Don't limit yourself with a round nosed one. JMHO..

One thing I'd add, though: Be careful about max loads, as I've noticed most brands of 30-30 brass is on the thin side. One way to alleviate that is to use 375 WIN brass. I know some guys shot silhouette, back in the 80's and 90's, would use that heavier walled brass in their 788 rifles and single shot Contenders, because it would hold up to higher pressures. These days, that is probably cost prohibitive because 375 brass is a lot harder to find. I have a bunch for my 788 though, as the guy that used to own it, used it in that type of match shooting.

If you need load data, there may be some articles you can research on the net, regarding this. Good luck with it!! A Ruger #1 in 30-30 would be a cool one to have.

Thank you for the reply. Yes, I’m hoping to go “pointy”, I guess I was more concerned with whether or not I had the velocity to reliably expand some of the common 30cal bullets - that weren’t originally intended to be 30-30 projectiles.

CFE223 is your friend with most bullets weighing 100gr - 135gr. In my single shot 30-30AI the 110gr Hornady CX, 110gr Barnes TAC-TX, 120gr Barnes TAC-TX, 100gr Hornady SP, 125gr NBT, and the 135gr Speer all shoot great using CFE223 and TAC but I have more CFE223.

I would recommend you save the Hornady 165gr Interbond for a larger case. It's a tough bullet and may not expand much at 30-30 velocities.

I second Dinny on this. I would also add the Hornady 125gn SST to your list. It should expand well at 30-30 speeds.

I use the 125gr NBT in my 30-30AI. It just works!

Are you guys hunting with those light 125’s?

Any thoughts on LEVERevolution powder?

Four years ago my Grandson hunted Plains Game in South Africa with a 30-30, custom stocked H&R Handi rifle using Cutting Edge Bullets Flat Based Raptors. They worked very well. All one shot kills.

You will be best served to go with a premium bullet if you plan on pushing standard 30-30 ballistics.
You never really know until you shoot it and see what the gun prefers.
Sounds like a worthy project.

the barnes tac-tx in 110 or 120 gr. work really good at 2700 to 2800 fps. hogs hate them and deer just shivering fall over. check over on accurate reloading for hog hunting and find good to great history on loads at that speed. they are designed for 300 black out but are 3030 best friends. be well, enjoy. p.s. I have #1 22 inch rsi custom build. took bobcat head O F F !!!! a few days ago.

You might take a look at the 120G Barnes Tac Tx:

https://www.barnesbullets.com/produ...0&attribute_pa_bullet-type=tac-tx-bt

Nice bullet out of a 30-30, I shoot them out of my 30-30AI Contender 20" barrel. Darn accurate.

The nice thing is they will expand at a little lower speed range than a bullet intended for 308W and above loadings. Great stuff on deer etc.

RAS