Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 30 Herrett powder recommendation

I just found a good deal on a 10 inch Contender barrel in this caliber. I am looking for powder recommendations. After reading a couple of online articles and looking at some older loading data, I find that the recommended powders are not available locally. No 1680, 4227, or 2015. I have a small amount of 296 and full cans of 2400, Lil Gun, 2230, X-Terminator, and Tac. Bullets will be 110 and 125 grains. Any recommendations on these powders, or others I haven't mentioned? Thanks.

Call Sierra nd talk to them. Back when I had a Herett barrel, I loaded a lot of 4227, and WW680. Sierra recommended using 4198 for a hunt I had planned, and it turned out to work very well. Not sure of the burn rate of Lil gun or some of the others. 296 and 2400 will be a little to quick for what you are wanting.

Reduce these loads by at least 10 percent to start as they are considered maximum. You didn't say which 4227 IMR or Hodgon, so approach those loads carefully.
110 gr. Speer round nose, varminter, and spire point, 25.0 gr H4227 max. for about 2500 fps.
110 Speer varminter, 23.5 win. 296 max. for about 2350 fps.
125 Sierra spitzer, 25gr IMR4227 work this load up carefully, for about 2250 fps.
These loads were worked up some 20 years ago so go carefully.
The 296 gave good accuracy but not top velocity and was kind of touchy to work with. Believe 2400, and lil gun may be to fast burning, and the other powders you list to slow burning to produce good velocity. Kind of a fun cartridge to play with but if your like most folks you will get tired of making brass pretty quick. Shooting loads less than max will increase case life quite a bit, otherwise case life is pretty short.

All the powders you have on hand will work, except for TAC which is too slow. Your 296, 2400 and LilGun are about ideal, and your X-terminator and 2230 a titch slow for the 110s but fine for the 125s. I've used them all except LilGun in my own 30 Herrett, and I mean to test some LilGun when I get get a round tuit.

If you haven't found my own article on it, it is here (be sure to view it in Firefox as IE screws it up): http://www.reloadingroom.com/index_files/30%20Herrett.htm

Thanks very much Rocky. I've been thinking about getting my late father's 30 Herrett back into action and all good information is appreciated.

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I neglected mine way too long, but have been playing with it a bit lately. I have a supply of commercially-cast 120 RN lead bullets that shoot well in mine (and in little else). My best load with it, unfortunately, uses loooong obsolete Alcan 120 powder. Six grains of it give 1275 fps and quite good accuracy at 100 yards.

AL-120 is in the Clays/Bullseye/RedDot/Solo 1000/TiteGroup burn range, so a bit of experimenting with one of those might get close to my results.

The 8.0 Unique/100 Plinker combo in my article is still a good one.

I have a couple of partial boxes of Hornady and Sierra single shot pistol bullets and two or three pounds of WW680 all from my father's stash. I also have some 125 grain Bal Tips that I purchased recently.

There are a couple of clearing stands on my lease where the far side shot is maybe 125 yards. I think I'm good to go for deer.

Thanks guys. That is the info I was hoping for.

BTW Rocky, that article of yours is what gave me the itch for a Herrett.

I think you are, too, mathman.

Honored to have created an itch, Leon. And delighted you could scratch it.

I knew where that barrel was sitting for over a year, but I didn't have any knowledge of the cartridge. After reading your article online, I bought the barrel and a factory 3 die set for $150.

Be sure to hold the number board up under your chin when they take the mug shot, you thief. LOL!

Thanks, I felt like a bandit, but nobody around here had any idea what the thing was. Wildcatting is not big in East Tennessee.

I used 296 in my 10 Herrett ONE time.

It HURT with ear plugs and muffs worn at the same time.

I think the 2400 will work well with the 110s, Accurate lists a load with 2230 and the 130 grain bullet, but it will be a boomer with that load.
According to Hornady you can get up to 2300 fps with 2400 and the 110 grain bullet. That was one of the original bullets used for deer in the Herrett before they came out with 130s with a softer jacket.
I loaded some 30-30s for a friend so her son could hunt ( he was not recoil sensitive, he was flat recoil scared) using the 110 gr. RN bullet at 2160 fps and they sailed tight thru the rib cage of one of out TN deer and kept going. The deer went 35 yards and fell over DEAD.

Get that broadside or SLIGHT angling shot and it should work.

I used 296 in my 10 Herrett ONE time.

It HURT with ear plugs and muffs worn at the same time.

I think the 2400 will work well with the 110s, Accurate lists a load with 2230 and the 130 grain bullet, but it will be a boomer with that load.
According to Hornady you can get up to 2300 fps with 2400 and the 110 grain bullet. That was one of the original bullets used for deer in the Herrett before they came out with 130s with a softer jacket.
I loaded some 30-30s for a friend so her son could hunt ( he was not recoil sensitive, he was flat recoil scared) using the 110 gr. RN bullet at 2160 fps and they sailed tight thru the rib cage of one of out TN deer and kept going. The deer went 35 yards and fell over DEAD.

Get that broadside or SLIGHT angling shot and it should work.