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3031 and 4895 from mine

VV 530 worked for mine.. top velocities and accuracy with 150’s…

I haven't loaded 30-30 since the 70's, for my buddy. I do recall that I used .307 bullets, not .308. I was using the Speer manual at the time. Looking at some load data now, I guess that isn't a thing anymore.

Yeah, and I don't know why it ever was a "thing".

Actually, I just looked on my bullet shelves and I see a box of Sierra .307" .30-30 bullets. Not that old, but the old style cardboard box nonetheless. Never really gave it much thought.

3031 at 33gr gave me 2300 fps and tight groups in my 20” post-64 M94 with Hornady 3035 (150gr) bullets. No issues, but note this is over current book max - but right at max according to velocity and QL. Some “older” manuals listed max at 33.5gr. 30 gr also shot good around 2050 fps, and is the reduced recoil load for my kid.

Leverevolution at 34.5 gr gave 2300 fps with 160 FTX in the same gun. Be aware Hornady and Hodgdon have vastly different load data (max) for this combo. I’d start at 32.5gr with 150s and work up slowly from there.

H4895 around 30gr is also good with 150s.

Smokepole, I’ll take a look at my data and PM you, and see if I can find my data source. It’s been a number of years since I loaded the 4 boxes I keep on hand and I’ve reached the age where I need to refer to written notes when it comes to load data.

Old70

Pm sent

Reloader 7 has always worked best in my rifles. I have tried all the powders listed here and settled on RL7.

I use H4895 and LVR for 30-30. Both do a good job.

LeverEvolution has been an excellent powder for my 30-30' a Winchester Mod 64 made in the early 1950's. I'm getting over 2300 FPS with 170g bullets with excellent accuracy. It also shows less pressure than some older powders that get less velocity according to Hodgden website.

35 grains CFE 223 + 170 gr Sierra fp + Federal case + WLR = 2240 fps and 3/4" 100 yard groups from my 20" Marlin.

Smokepole, I use 38.5 gr. Of LVR under the Speer 150. It’s a max load according to the hodgdon book, so work up and the usual caveats apply. The load shoots very well in my Marlin.

Old70

I have been using surplus WC846 (BLC2) for 30-30 for a couple of decades with very good results with jacketed bulets. It also works well with cast in my M54 Winchester. This is my hunting load and runs a little over 2000 fps.

Thanks Old70, and thanks all.

For cast bullets of 150 to 180 grs., 15 grs. of SR4759 works well, if you can find it anymore:

CFE223 will get the most velocity with the lowest pressure and produce excellent accuracy

Cast bullets? Who do you think I am, Digital Dan or something?

JK, thanks for the info!

I've got some of that too, thanks. Have either of you compared it head to head against leverevolution?

Have to agree. 15 grains in .30-30 (and 18 grains in .30-06) has been magical in every gun I've shot it in, with pretty much any 170-190 cast bullet, given proper bullet fit of course. Even though I have somewhere between 15-20 pounds of the stuff it's use is strictly reserved for .30 cast bullet shooting in an effort to make it last me 'til the end.

Bullseye and Unique for low vel target loads, 4759 for medium target loads, 3031 for woods thumpers.