Faster, Lighter, POINTED bullets in a .30-30?

[soonerboomer]

I'm new to deer hunting and have recently acquired a "steal-of-a-deal" used Marlin lever action .30-30. My question is multi-fold...
1) If you carefully load one round in the chamber and one round in the magazine (load round one into the tube, chamber it, then load round two into the tube), is it okay to use a lighter and faster POINTED bullet in a lever action?
2) Is there a factory load for .30-30 that's pointed with a 125 grain +/- bullet?
3) If not, is it possible to hand load such a round? If so, who makes such a bullet? (I'm just now learning about reloading too)
I'm aware of the Hornady LeverEvolution round, its better than the 150/170 round/flat nose stuff, but I'd like to run a little faster lighter still.
Thanks!

 

[C-grunt]

Id bet you would have to handload that round. I think it would work though as long as you dont stack rounds in the magazine.

 

[Al Thompson]

1) Yes, works like a charm.

2) There was a 125 grain factory load in the past, not sure about now.

3) Pretty easy to handload for your specs. I would not try to boost velocity much as a lever action isn't too good at increased pressures. I used 150 grain Ballistic Tips as the bearing surface is a bit shorter and worked up a load very carefully.

Frankly, I didn't see much difference in effects between that and a good 170 grain load.

 

[db_tanker]

as for load data for a spitzer in a 30-30 just look up data for a Thompson Contender single shot.

They have data out there for 125's and bigger.


And yeah, you won't have any issues, but just be sure to put a good crimp on that bullet...spring pushing against the bullet added with the recoil might upset the bullet causing a compressed load.

 

[critter]

I use Nosler BT's (125 gr) in a TC Contender super 14" for deer (medium whitetails) here in the south. They are very effective indeed. I don't see why they wouldn't work even better in the longer barrel of a lever gun. Just do the X 2 deal like you said. Be sure they are short enough to cycle #2 into the chamber easily if need be in a hurry.

 

[millertyme]

Watch your OAL. I don't know about the 125gr but I loaded some 150gr SP's for mine and nearly had to break the rifle down to get the one out of the tube.

 

[meadmkr]

Not quite as light as 125 but Hornady does make a 140g in that line...
http://www.hornady.com/store/30-30-Win-140-gr-monoflex-Leverevolution/

Or of 'ya want to assemble your own
http://www.hornady.com/store/30-Cal-.308-140-gr-monoflex/

+2 on watching the OAL with some leverguns. A buddy of mine had a Marlin(?) in .357 and while you 'could' shoot .38 special in it you had to watch the length or you'd have feed issues. The primary reason he bought the carbine was to be able to carry 1 load for both pistol and rifle. In the end he ended up switching strictly to .357 brass and worked up a few lower-recoil (plinking) loads.

 

[Al Thompson]

db, I think that the load for a TC may be hotter than what a lever action can handle. I'd stick with data for a 150 grain bullet from a mainstream reference.

FWIW, I found that data for a .44 handgun was too hot for a .44 lever action rifle. The lever action has a bit looser locking geometry than a revolver, so I suspect a TC would be even better.

 

[jerkface11]

db, I think that the load for a TC may be hotter than what a lever action can handle. I'd stick with data for a 150 grain bullet from a mainstream reference.

No it wouldn't be look at the new cartridges marlin chambers that gun in.

 

[LoonWulf]

I used to use 125balistics in my break action and it worked great. i was actualy thinking about getting a bolt gun in 30-30, 125s will probobly be what ill launch.

 

[critter]

The loads I run in my TC are certainly tame enough for the lever guns. My gun is REALLY accurate with the 'good enough' loads over the top end ones. Never had a deer be able to tell the difference.

 

[cleardiddion]

As for the 125gr I think the old load was by Remington called 'velocitor' or something.
Iirc, it was a sabot round that actually had really good penetration and could be used on varmints.

Dunno if they make it anymore though.

 

[db_tanker]

if you think about it guys, the TC loads listed are still at SAAMI spec unless otherwise noted. and to be honest I have never seen a +P 30 WCF load listed.

One thing I have noted as well...this is done with certain silhouette loads for the 357 Mag...cut the case back to the absolute minimum spec for case length and work from there. Keep an eye on your COAL and you should be good to go. This was listed in a Speer manual for heavy 180 and 200 grain 357 mag loads in a revolver...although two completely different animals, you would still have the same potential problems for clearance.

Another thing to think about is stay away from boat-tail bullets as they generally tend to be longer as well. Stick with flat base spitzers.

 

[Abel]

The rate of twist on a 336, 1:10 on a 30-30, usually doesn't project the lighter bullets as well as the heavier bullets. That's why most that I've seen shoot a 170 grain bullet much better than the 150. Mileage may vary of course.

 

[Old Time Hunter]

db, I think that the load for a TC may be hotter than what a lever action can handle. I'd stick with data for a 150 grain bullet from a mainstream reference.

FWIW, I found that data for a .44 handgun was too hot for a .44 lever action rifle. The lever action has a bit looser locking geometry than a revolver, so I suspect a TC would be even better.

From my 30 + years experience, it is just the opposite. I've loaded 25.0 grains of H110 behind a 240 gr JSP and they performed admirally out of both '94 Winchesters (a Trapper and a 24" Black Shadow) pushing the velocity out of the 24" barrel to almost 1900 fps (chrono @ 15'). Whereas it caused me to buy a new cylinder for my 7.5" BlackHawk.

Maybe Marlin's are different

 

[BrocLuno]

The round was called "accelerator" and they moved at ~3,000FPS from my Model 45 Savage SuperSporter. They were not as accurate as made up loads, say 2~3" at 100 yds, but plenty good for most medium critters, cantaloupes, and water balloons. Pretty spectacular when they hit

 

[788Ham]

Guy's!! The OP ask about bullets for a lever rifle, not a TC !

You can load lighter bullets sooner, but just remember to "ONLY" load one round into the magazine. The chance of the pointed bullet impacting the primer of the one ahead of it in the Mag is the real problem!! This is why only RN or FP bullets are recommended for a lever rifle. I'd re-think that option in your reloading!

 

[db_tanker]

we kinda covered that.

I brought up the TC due to the fact that most handloading manuals list spitzer bullets with their TC loading data...they keep it separate from the rifle data.

He did ask in his 3rd question about load data...

although Hornady IS listing their FTX bullets as separate components he wanted info on lighter bullets.

 

[RSVP2RIP]

Yes it is possible and if you use a bullet with a protected point you can load ONE in the magazine and have two shots. I would go for the Speer 130gr HP or one of the Barnes Triple Shock bullets (as light as 110gr) as they would be less likely to deform with one in the magazine. Use TC data, but the listed velocity will most likely be higher out of you rifle. Make sure you crimp the bullets also. I believe CORBON used to make a 125gr PSP 30-30 factory load for single shot pistols sold in 5 packs but I don't see those listed in CORBON's catalog.