.30-30 heavy bullets

[Catpop]

I want to get feedback from those with handloading experience with heavy (170 gr +) .30-30 Winchester . Im thinking 220 to 250 grain flat point or if not available, RN.
Since I will be using a 16" Marlin 336TS microgroove, it will probably have to be jacketed to keep from leading.
This will be a 75 yard max brush gun with a receiver sight.
Any help appreciated

 

[kingmt]

I can't answer but you have my attention. Sounds like using a BB gun to launch Canon balls to me. Under 75 yards might work tho. I can't wait to hear responses.

 

[SSN Vet]

I've used the Remington 170 gr Core Locked SP for 30-30 in my microgroove 336 and was satisfied with the performance.

They were a little more stout than the 150s but not too bad.

 

[LoonWulf]

Ive got some 245 mbc if youd like to try a few and see how they shoot. Personally i wouldn't use them on game tho, unless they tumble or deform, they will likely punch fairly small holes.

 

[cheygriz]

170 grain IS a heavy bullet in the .30-30.

 

[Deaf Smith]

I want to get feedback from those with handloading experience with heavy (170 gr +) .30-30 Winchester . Im thinking 220 to 250 grain flat point or if not available, RN.
Since I will be using a 16" Marlin 336TS microgroove, it will probably have to be jacketed to keep from leading.
This will be a 75 yard max brush gun with a receiver sight.
Any help appreciated

Your handload 220-250 grain bullets will invade the powder space. I dunno about that. But if you want to try.. You need to ask Paco Kelly at:

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/index.php

Here is some 200 grain loads. 205 grain at 2080 ain't that bad.

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=39787

These guys know their leverguns!

Buffalo Bore does make a 190 grain load..

Deaf

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I know this isn't what you want to hear but, if you want to shoot 220gr bullets from your levergun buy a 35 Remington. That's what that cartridge does well.

 

[stringnut]

Due you have a source for heavy 30 30 appropriate bullets? Velocity is not going to be high and expansion could be iffy. Also bullet length is going to become important. It may be getting too long to stabilize well. Twist rate needed is not all about weight. A hard cast , gas checked , flat nose may be your best bet. Research in advance may save a lot of frustration. I'm sure it can be done with good results. Knowing where to start may be half the battle! Please post results , good or bad, should be interesting.

 

[FROGO207]

I was going to mention about the lower velocity and lack of expansion with regular bullets as well. I have used and do like the 170 grain Core Lokt bullets the best as far as performance goes in a 30-30. I have also used 170 grain FP Lasercast lead bullets. Those however are too hard to expand well when hunting.

 

[midland man]

I love shooting the 170gr jacketed and lead bullets in my 30-30's they work well!!

 

[gojuice101]

Before I started casting I was loading 184gn lead rounds for my brother's 336. Now I cast 170gn bullets. I consider 170-180gn heavy for a 30-30. Those shoot fine (and with no leading, even with the Micro-Groove), but I don't see a need to go any higher than that. Is there a specific reason you want to load 250gn rounds for a 30-30? I'm sure it can be done, but IMO that is pushing the limits of the cartridge. The heaviest bullet my manuals list is 190gn.

 

[Catpop]

I grew up in the 60s jumping whitetails in the woods with a 336 Texan .35 Remington and I loved it! (I actually began my hunting career at 10 with an full military1898 30-40 Krag willed to me from my grandad! Wow! Those were the days!)
I wanted some actual experience in this heavy bullet thudy-thudy quest. (Thudy-thudy is how we drawl it out in the deep south.)
I saw this change from 170 gr to 150 gr in the 50s when the crop fields began to expand in size and the old thudy-thudy was taken out of the woods and pressed into this new longer range environment.
I have now come full circle and returned to the shrinking but much more enjoyable woods hunting. I also now reload everything I shoot! and the family eats it too, just as in the 50s!
I am now checking on, with great interest, the 190 Buffalo Bore load mentioned here as a starting point.
Thanks

 

[kerreckt]

I have shot many 190-200gr. cast bullets in my Marlin 336's with micrgroove barrels. No leading or other problems. Although,there were no negatives, I prefer a 130-170gr. bullet. I did not see any advantages to a heavier bullet and I am very frugal so I went with lighter bullets since I cast my own.

 

[Dog Soldier]

I use the LEE .309 150 grsl FN, I cast these from Lynotype, gas check and use SPG lube. The rifle is a 1958 Mdl. 94 Winchester. The bullet is accurate at 2,000 fps. It is a desert plinking load.

 

[GooseGestapo]

There was an article in GunDigest many years ago by Sam Fadala about heavy bullets in the .30/30. He used some long ago discontinued 190gr Winchester component bullets intended for the .303 Savage. No real benefit beyond slightly better penetration, but penetration isn't the .30/30's weak point. It's expansion of jacketed bullets and loopy trajectory past 200yds.

For areas where a moose would likely be encountered it might make sense. Also if you have a bullet mold you want to put to use.
Otherwise a more conventional bullet will give better results.
The .30/30 has over 100 years of r & d behind it. Nothing is new under the sun.
Heavier than 200gr might not likely stabilize in a 1/12" twist at the speeds from a .30/30. .300Blackout uses 1/7-1/8" twists. In the l/a's you are limited as to length of what will feed and cycle. Most likely the weight bullets you are considering will hav to be seated out and would have to be single fed. Also unfired round might not eject.

I essentially exclusively use a 150gr Lee FNGC (158gr) Cast from 50/50 pure lead and wheel weighs. It is capable of 2,250fps without leading or loss of accuracy. Kills smallish deer and pigs as well as anything I've ever shot such with. Only one that's ever been recovered is a plain un-gaschecked bullet loaded over 7.5gr of Unique. An upstate NewYork white tail doe caught this in the last rib quartering away. Bullet was found under hide of far shoulder after penetrating ~20" of deer. Bullet nose was "riveted" from bone impact. Deer ran 70yds and dropped. Chrono speed is about 1,300fps. About the same as a .32/40 or .357mag handgun.
Shot placement x3.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I still say if you want to shoot heavier than 170gr bullets in a levergun load for a 35 Remington.

 

[Catpop]

Thanks for all the great advice! It's exactly what I was looking for, actual experience with this subject.
I'll probably start with known 150 and 170 factory to get a baseline and work up from there. It should be a fun quest!
I'll share results as I'll get them.
Thanks to all,
Catfish

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thanks for all the great advice! It's exactly what I was looking for, actual experience with this subject.
I'll probably start with known 150 and 170 factory to get a baseline and work up from there. It should be a fun quest!
I'll share results as I'll get them.
Thanks to all,
Catfish

I often use a 170gr bullet in the 30-30 over 150gr bullets. Here in the northeast of PA we have a lot of trees and branches are all over the place. The 170gr bullet bucks deflection from small branches and twigs better so that's why I use them.

 

[Big7]

I still say if you want to shoot heavier than 170gr bullets in a levergun load for a 35 Remington.

Bingo! you get the prize!

There is a reason 30/30 factory is 150 - 170. More than that don't match the rifling.

 

[PapaG]

I worked up a load years ago for the 30-30 using a long discontinued Lyman mould that threw a plain based 200 grain bullet from wheel weights. I used unique powder and was not trying for high velocity, just a good penetrating plonker that could conceivably be used to quietly take chucks or even deer at close range.
Fired into the end of a railroad tie, the base of the bullet was about two inches in. Not much noise and not any leading.
Probably not what OP was looking for but the post triggered memories.

 

[witchhunter]

I know you want to use heavier bullets, but Winchester has been loading these rounds for over a hundred years. They only load 150 and 170. That is what the rifle/cartridge is designed for. The bullets made for expansion at 30/30 velocities work perfectly. While it is not a 45/70, it does exactly what a 30/30 is designed to do. I have owned several and am a fan, I even loaded 125s hot to make it shoot flatter, tried the 55 grain accelerators, I am happy now just the way Winchester designed em. They shoot well and do everything they are supposed to. Everyone should have one!