Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 30-30 Single Shot Rifle Loads

I have both the Speer 135gr and the Hornady 130gr SSPBs. The Hornadys shoot well over 34.5gr W748 but I'm only getting 2330fps. I expected a bit more fps from that light of a bullet. Is there a better powder that's known to produce another 150-200fps?

Thanks, Dinny

What rifle ?

H&R Handi rifle with a 22" barrel.

Thanks, Dinny

ya want the most out of it? try 35 grains of W748, with a 220 grain RN, seated down to cycle thru the magazine...

make sure you crimp the bullet, with a good roll crimp..

2100 fps.. reloaded that brass 10 times, and at the 11th loading, primer pocket still tight...

don't try this at home, unless ya know what you're doing at the load bench...

NOE makes a 30cal 247gr mold for lead bullets intended to be shot in the 300BLK. I have several of those bullets and could probably load them to similar pressures of a 220gr jacketed when straight line penetration measured in feet is needed. Being here in VA I wouldn't need that much penetration for the small bears I hunt.

Thanks, Dinny

I think you want to go with a faster powder. I get 2,410 fps with 35.5 gr of I-4895 and a 130 TTSX in my 20" T/C custom shop bbl. Thay would be about 2,460 fps (+130 fps from your load) in a 22" tube. I know I can go higher with the charge wt.

I've always wanted to try RL-7. I-3031 is a another one to consider.

I recall where I got the RL-7 idea. Looking at my old Speer #13 - shows 31.0 gr RL-7 (max) getting 2,328 fps in a 14" bbl T/C Contender

Speer data w/ CFE-223 is impressive - 2,539 fps! I might try this one too:

https://reloading-data.speer-ammo.c...caliber_308_dia/30-30_Winchester_130.pdf

Have a couple of .30-30s that are fond of RX15 with 150 & 170 gr J-bullets.

RL15 is my choice powder for 150s and 160s. Great speed and accuracy. Not sure how it would work with a 130gr.

I have CFE223 and will try it next. Why I never thought to check Speer's data will remain a mystery.

Thanks, Dinny

I've always wanted a single shot 30-30

I used a lot of 3031 under the 125 gr. Sierra HP. I was getting 2550 fps out of it. I really liked 748 under the 170 gr, bullets. MY single shot is an old H&R and it has a deep throat.

The Hodgdon Annual Manual shows a nice load with CFE223.
24'' bbl with a 12'' twist.
Winchester LR Primer
130 grain SPR FP

35.7 grains of CFE223 gives 2,533 fps and 37,000 psi.

Seafire? A magazine in a single shot???????????

I think he meant well and probably copied and pasted his reply from another thread in the levergun area.

With that being said, I'll take a friendly poke at him too. Afterall, he would expect it from me, a fellow combat medic.

Pictured below is my 9 shot (single shot rifle) magazine.

Thanks, Dinny

I have a Henry that shoots really well. I tried several different loads to try to hop it up a bit and eventually just went back to an over-max load of 3031, under a 150 round nose. I have shot six deer with it out to 168 yards and no complaints-nor caught bullets! I have other rifles if I want a speedier delivery.

Today's range report gives me strong reason to use more CFE223 in the 30-30.

39gr + Hornady 130gr SSPB = 2525fps and a 1" five shot 50yd group

40gr + Hornady 130gr SSPB = poor lighting/no chrono readings but 1/2" five shot group at 50yds

41gr - more of the same poor lighting/no chrono readings but a 3/4" five shot group at 50yds

42gr + Hornady 130gr SSPB = 2615fps and a 1" five shot group at 50yds

I'm plenty happy with the anticipated speed and the known accuracy obtained with 40gr of CFE223. I'll load 10 more and shoot them at 100yds next weekend. I'll also check for CFE223 data for the 125gr NBT.

Thanks, Dinny

I'm going to try this combo with the 130 TTSX based on the results your getting Dinny,

Much to my amazement the same charges of CFE223 shot alot faster with the 125gr NBTs. I hit 2800fps with 42gr!

Accuracy was crap with 39-42gr so next time I plan to run a ladder of 35-38gr.

Thanks, Dinny

I finally got to test some loads yesterday with CFE-223 and RL-7. This is in my custom shop 20" T/C Contender s/s .30-30 bbl. Used both RP and FC cases w/ Fed 210 primers. Surprisingly, the FC cases were 6% heavier than the RP ones.

41.0 gr CFE-223 + 130 TTSX v = 2,475 fps
42.0 gr CFE-223 + 130 TTSX v = 2,538 fps

30.0 gr RL-7 + 130 TTSX v = 2,452
31.0 gr RL-7 + 130 TTSX v = 2,542

38.5 gr CFE-223 + 150 NBT v = 2,353 fps
39.5 gr CFE-223 + 150 NBT v = 2,423 fps

There's definately room to work all these loads +1.0 gr higher. 130 TTSX @ 2,600 fps or 150 NBT @ 2,500 fps - that is the question.

Ballistic Tip is where I would be at those velocities.

More specific a 125 grain Ballistic Tip.