30-30 bullet test, need low velocity loads.

[N555]

Need help with a load. I need to see what a 160gr ftx bullet does or doesn't do at 1,400 to 1,500fps.
I have everything from full power down to about 1,700fps covered. Less than 1,600fps gets tricky.
For full power 2,150 to 2,200fps I'll use leverevolution.
To get 100yd velocity of about 2,000fps at close range I'll use a start load of 748.
To get 200yd velocity of 1,800fps at bar fight distance I'll use a middle load of IMR4350.
To get 300yd velocity of 1,600fps at close range a start load of H322 should do.
To get 400yd range of around 1,450fps could be a little less than a start load of IMR4350, maybe around 29 to 30gr of N555, maybe a less than start load of H322. If they won't expand satisfactory at say 400yd velocity I'll abandon that idea assuming they expanded satisfactory at 300yd.
And I'm open to suggestions?
I have heard too many stories of people trying to fire from brass with way under start loads of ballpowder and their gun blowing up so not doing any under start loads with ballpowder. Down loading say 748 to get 1,400fps could do unexpected things.
If 400yd expansion surprises me I'll think about a 500yd velocity test, 1,300fps that doesn't seem like a real possibility now, I'd probably be looking to use something like unique, HP38, CBI at that point.

And don't say shoot the target at 400yd. The range I go to to shoot over 100yd is unavailable till summer time.
There's one shooting area there, targets go in the same spot regardless of shooting distance, you move further back as needed out to about 700yd.
When the range opens up I only want to do the live tests at 300 or 400yd I don't want a bunch of "pristine bullets" laying around from say the 200, 300 and 400yd test that could contaminate my findings.

 

[AJC1]

I think your reduced loads of h4350 are a poor choice. You could use a mag powder like 2400 or 4227 to easily get your reduced data.

 

[Mini30SS]

Looks like you need to do some ammo evaluations for yourself. I doubt someone is going to spend a couple hundred just to answer you specific criteria. Good luck, and consult the Hornady manual to determine the velocity range that their bullets are rated for. They do include that information.

 

[AJC1]

Looks like you need to do some ammo evaluations for yourself. I doubt someone is going to spend a couple hundred just to answer you specific criteria. Good luck, and consult the Hornady manual to determine the velocity range that their bullets are rated for. They do include that information.

I believe he is looking for a best course to safety complete said testing....

 

[Charlie98]

I think your reduced loads of h4350 are a poor choice.

I agree. You can safely reduce charges of H4895... that's where I would go if you wanted to stick with something like that. It's also faster than the 4350's, and I think it would work for you better there.

You could use a mag powder like 2400 or 4227 to easily get your reduced data.

Even IMR/H4198 would be a better choice than H4350. IMHO.

 

[AJC1]

I agree. You can safely reduce charges of H4895... that's where I would go if you wanted to stick with something like that. It's also faster than the 4350's, and I think it would work for you better there.



Even IMR/H4198 would be a better choice than H4350. IMHO.

I was going with the fastest in the extruded to give him the largest range. Those guys in 300bo reducing 4227 to almost nothing to hit goal speeds. My only concern is standard deviations on a reduced load screwing up his test.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Need help with a load. I need to see what a 160gr ftx bullet does or doesn't do at 1,400 to 1,500fps.
I have everything from full power down to about 1,700fps covered. Less than 1,600fps gets tricky.
For full power 2,150 to 2,200fps I'll use leverevolution.
To get 100yd velocity of about 2,000fps at close range I'll use a start load of 748.
To get 200yd velocity of 1,800fps at bar fight distance I'll use a middle load of IMR4350.
To get 300yd velocity of 1,600fps at close range a start load of H322 should do.
To get 400yd range of around 1,450fps could be a little less than a start load of IMR4350, maybe around 29 to 30gr of N555, maybe a less than start load of H322. If they won't expand satisfactory at say 400yd velocity I'll abandon that idea assuming they expanded satisfactory at 300yd.
And I'm open to suggestions?
I have heard too many stories of people trying to fire from brass with way under start loads of ballpowder and their gun blowing up so not doing any under start loads with ballpowder. Down loading say 748 to get 1,400fps could do unexpected things.
If 400yd expansion surprises me I'll think about a 500yd velocity test, 1,300fps that doesn't seem like a real possibility now, I'd probably be looking to use something like unique, HP38, CBI at that point.

And don't say shoot the target at 400yd. The range I go to to shoot over 100yd is unavailable till summer time.
There's one shooting area there, targets go in the same spot regardless of shooting distance, you move further back as needed out to about 700yd.
When the range opens up I only want to do the live tests at 300 or 400yd I don't want a bunch of "pristine bullets" laying around from say the 200, 300 and 400yd test that could contaminate my findings.

IMR 4198 is another fast rifle powder to consider. It’s a good one for lower loads and cast. It downloads nicely, too. But you’ll have to go back to an earlier edition of the Lyman’s manual to find data. I found a 150gr load in the 48th Ed. I’ve gone as low as 18.5gr with 150gr cast w/ gas checks. It makes a nice load for the 10” Contender.

 

[N555]

This test has already grown legs. I loaded up the hopefully 1,800fps batch with 33.2gr of imr4350. A nice slightly compressed load, filled the case to the bottom of the shoulders in my fired, FL sized +0.014 set dies. Should give nice low SD.

IMR 4198 is another fast rifle powder to consider. It’s a good one for lower loads and cast. It downloads nicely, too. But you’ll have to go back to an earlier edition of the Lyman’s manual to find data. I found a 150gr load in the 48th Ed. I’ve gone as low as 18.5gr with 150gr cast w/ gas checks. It makes a nice load for the 10” Contender.

Looking in the old manuals yeah imr4198 would be a no brainer.
But I don't have any.

I think your reduced loads of h4350 are a poor choice. You could use a mag powder like 2400 or 4227 to easily get your reduced data.

I don't have 2400 but I do have AL410 which is single base and supposed to load a lot like 2400.

 

[Bfh_auto]

15 grains of blue dot and a 150 gave me around 1670. With a heavier bullet I would drop to about 12 and see what it gives.
Blue dot, 800x, 2400, and IMR 4227 will all give you the velocity you're looking for.
Use at your own risk since this isn't in a manual.

 

[AJC1]

Looking in the old manuals yeah imr4198 would be a no brainer.
But I don't have any.

I don't have 2400 but I do have AL410 which is single base and supposed to load a lot like 2400.

If your familure then it sounds like a winner. I've not reviewed Alcan data but I'm willing to dig to contribute if it would help.

 

[AJC1]

15 grains of blue dot and a 150 gave me around 1670. With a heavier bullet I would drop to about 12 and see what it gives.
Blue dot, 800x, 2400, and IMR 4227 will all give you the velocity you're looking for.
Use at your own risk since this isn't in a manual.

 

[N555]

If your familure then it sounds like a winner. I've not reviewed Alcan data but I'm willing to dig to contribute if it would help.

I have only loaded it's name sake, 410 shotgun so far. But I bought it to use in 44mag and 30carbine. It supposed to load like 2400, use 2400 data, minus one grain for start and max.

 

[Mini30SS]

It would also help if you provided basic info, such as the firearm you are using, and the barrel length., So that burn rate can be matched to your barrel length. I find up to 27.0 gr. of RL-7 matches up well with a 20" barrel and 150 gr bullets.

May or May not work well with 160 gr. FTX bullets. Also, I would not expect to get on game hits with a 4-5 MOA Winchester post '64, model 94 at 400 yds.

 

[AJC1]

Do you have any herco? I'm testing blue dot now and GeoDudeFlorida has recommended against reduced loads so if 13 grains isn't slow enough I would be hesitant to work that down. Unique is your next best choice.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

View attachment 1131256

I recognize that book!
Yes, I have tried that load in a 10” barrel. More fun than the law allows.

 

[AJC1]

I recognize that book!
Yes, I have tried that load in a 10” barrel. More fun than the law allows.

I've been know to share every resource. It's that navy leadership. It's absolutely your data.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I've been know to share every resource. It's that navy leadership. It's absolutely your data.

By all means! Share whatever you have that might be useful.

 

[AJC1]

It would also help if you provided basic info, such as the firearm you are using, and the barrel length., So that burn rate can be matched to your barrel length. I find up to 27.0 gr. of RL-7 matches up well with a 20" barrel and 150 gr bullets.

May or May not work well with 160 gr. FTX bullets. Also, I would not expect to get on game hits with a 4-5 MOA Winchester post '64, model 94 at 400 yds.

It's could be a Steven's bolt action, but some guys seek answers for answers sake. I might resemble that remark.

 

[N555]

I have the most common 30-30 ever, a 94ae 20 inch barrel.

View attachment 1131256

I have bluedot and RE7.
My AL410 powder is Alliant 410.
So between bluedot and AL410 the 1,450fps test should be a go.

The only unique 30-30 data I have seen was for 110 to 120gr bullets, 7 to 12 grains. I did the start load with 120s and got 1,200fps.

I do not have any herco.

 

[AJC1]

I have the most common 30-30 ever, a 94ae 20 inch barrel.


I have bluedot and RE7.
My AL410 powder is Alliant 410.
So between bluedot and AL410 the 1,450fps test should be a go.

The only unique 30-30 data I have seen was for 110 to 120gr bullets, 7 to 12 grains. I did the start load with 120s and got 1,200fps.

I do not have any herco.

I'm beding down the kids but the Lyman cast manual has all that you seek. If it's not posted tomorrow I'll get er done.

 

[N555]

It would also help if you provided basic info, such as the firearm you are using, and the barrel length., So that burn rate can be matched to your barrel length. I find up to 27.0 gr. of RL-7 matches up well with a 20" barrel and 150 gr bullets.

May or May not work well with 160 gr. FTX bullets. Also, I would not expect to get on game hits with a 4-5 MOA Winchester post '64, model 94 at 400 yds.

94AE with 20 inch barrel, it used to shoot 4 to 5moa. Then I discovered 30-30 load development. shoots about 1.5moa with the really heavy 5.5lb sport trigger. If it had a decent 2.2lb trigger I could easily shoot 1moa.

 

[Bfh_auto]

94AE with 20 inch barrel, it used to 4moa. The. I discovered 30-30 load development. shoots about 1.5moa with the really heavy 5.5lb sport trigger. If it had a decent 2.2lb trigger I could easily shoot 1moa.

If you're mechanically inclined and have good hand to eye coordination. A 3.5 lb 94 trigger job is easy.

5.5 is about 3 pounds lighter than all the lever actions I've done.

 

[Barbaroja]

Look at cast bullet data

 

[AJC1]

If you're mechanically inclined and have good hand to eye coordination. A 3.5 lb 94 trigger job is easy.

5.5 is about 3 pounds lighter than all the lever actions I've done.

I can hardly shoot a factory winchester trigger. Modern guns don't seem to benifit in near the way old guns do, but I'm a firm believer in a good trigger job. If your learning to do it yourself, I recommend you verify replacement parts are available first.

 

[Charlie98]

Looking in the old manuals yeah imr4198 would be a no brainer.
But I don't have any.

I have.. ...RE7.

RL7 and H/IMR4198 are cousins, once removed. If I didn't have one of the 4198's, I'd grab some RL7.