Best powders for Laser Cast 30-30 bullets

[TnBigBore]

I am thinking of buying 500 of the Oregon Trail Laser Cast 170 grain bullets for my 30-30 for plinking, possibly for hunting. I have on hand: IMR 3031, H-4198, H-4895, H-335, Reloader 7, Win 748 and Trailboss. Any input or advised you guys could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
TBB

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I have experience with the 4198 only with cast slugs - you can't go wrong there.

 

[HANDLOADER]

This is my data it works for me and me only I hold no responsibility if you use the data and in turn cause damage to yourself, personal property, or others.

Ok in my 30-30's I have 2 loads

LOAD # 1 HUNTING
R-P CASE
CCI 200 LARGE RIFLE PRIMER
18 grains of HERC 2400
150 GRAIN CAST WITH GAS CHECK BULLET

LOAD # 2 TARGET
R-P CASE
CCI 200 LARGE RIFLE PRIMER
6 grains of UNIQUE
150 GRAIN CAST WITH NO GAS CHECK BULLET

 

[Kernel]

With those heavier 170gr bullets, for best velocites, I think the powder sweet spot will be around H335, W748, and IMR 3031. H4895 is tad slow and the other powders you have are on the fast side.

Trail Boss could be fun to play around with if you wanted to make some near zero recoil "cat sneeze" loads. Like 1000-1200fps range. Find a load your gun likes and these could be used to hunt rabbits & squirals at 50 yds and less.

Lots of published loads for the .30-30 & 170gr LFP. You can find plenty for any of the powders you have. In the .30-30 I like RL-7 alot but would tend to recommend it more for use with lighter bullets.

 

[TnBigBore]

Thanks for the info guys. I have heard that these bullets are sufficiently hard that they do not lead the barrel even at higher velocities. I will likely stick with some moderate to light loads since it will likely be used mostly for plinking.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use IMR 3031 with a 170gr Hard Cast bullet. Even though those Laser Cast bullets are quite hard you don't want to push them past 2,000 fps. (if that high) For hunting you might want to try a gas checked bullet. Besides making Laser Cast bullets Oregon Trails had a gas checked line of bullets, their TrueShot line. Since they are gas checked you can push them to hunting velocities and not have to worry about leading the barrel and ruining your hunt.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

if you have the Marlin 30-30 with MicroGroove rifleing it's important to get the slugs that are slightly 'oversize' i.e. around .310 or they won't do well at all.
keep velocitys below 2000 and 4198 will do well in the Marlin 30-30.
I should add I've never loaded any Lasers myself, but other brands.