I'm jumping into 30-30...

[TFin04]

A levergun is going to be my next purchase. A Marlin 336 more than likely.

Looking for recipes, tips, tricks and pricing for a good 30-30 load. A few things to consider:

- I'm a fan of Hodgon and it is available locally
- Will be mainly used as a plinker
- I'm not opposed to lead or lead tip bullets to keep costs down

Looking for recommendations for bullets, powder and primers. Already have some brass saved up.

How much are you loading 30-30 for?

Thanks!

 

[kasTX]

I have had good luck with my 336 using IMR4895 and Speer 170gr flat points. I use CCI primers because they are available locally at reasonable prices.

I have also tried 150, 130, 110 and 100 grain bullets. The lighter the bullet, the worse the accuracy. Couldn't really keep the 100 grainers on a paper plate at 100 yards. Maybe a different powder would work better? The 170s serve my purposes, so I never pursued using different powders.

Good luck, the 30-30 is an easy cartridge to load and I was able to achieve noticeable gains in accuracy over factory loads using the Speer 170gr flat points.

Edit: assuming the brass is free, I am loading the 170 Speer/IMR4895 combination for $0.27 per round.

 

[Russt]

I have about .07 cents per round in my 30/30's, or $1.40 per box of 20. I use Trailboss for a light cowboy load. I have a 94 winchester I load for. I cast my own bullets. I've been able to get wheel weights free from a few of the tire shops around here. The gas check is about .03 cents, the powder charge is .02 cents, and the primer is about .02 cents. With the rising price of ammo, casting my own bullets has saved me a bunch of money. I'm a brass rat to boot. I haven't purchased any 30/30 brass. I go down to the local shooting spot, the dump, right before deer season starts and pick up what's laying around. For a hunting load I use BLC2 and a 150gr winchester soft point. I just purchased 100 bullets last week @ 15.00 per hundred. I use a little more BLC2 than I do Trailboss so my powder cost per charge is about .08 cents, primers are the same, .02 cents. That's $5.00 per box of 20...if I pushed the buttons correctly. Factory ammo is about $10.00 per box around here. I realize my time is part of the process, but reloading is another hobbie for me. It keeps me out of the bars, and from mowing the grass.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

the only rifle round I currently reload is the 30-06 but a friend reloads for the 30-30 and won't use any other powder than Winchester 748 and he also uses Winchester Primers. He even likes to use a 150gr Winchester .308" (30-30) Super X Power Point bullet. (Part # WB30FN150) And yes, he also uses Winchester Brass. I'm sure he is a little too much with using all Winchester components but in a way, I agree. I too like Winchester Brass. I also like Winchester primers and use them when ever possible. As for the bullet, hey, why not? Using W748 powder is the only thing he isn't using just because it's Winchester. He said he tried a lot of powders and W748 just works best for him in the 30-30.

 

[lil ski]

I have never had much luck loading for my 30-30. I don't shoot it that much so I just wait untill after deer season and buy it on sale, last year I got Remmington Core Loc 150gr for $5.50 a box needless to say I stocked up a little.

 

[The Bushmaster]

My .30-30 loads are strictly for hunting, but here it is...Winchester or Remington cases full length sized, properly trimed and primed with CCI 200 or WLR primers. 170 grain Speer FNSP over 32 grains of W-748 and crimped firmly using a Lee FCD. My Winchester .30 WCF is giving me three shots in a 3" dot at 100 yards. Your results may vary. My suggestion is to experiment with various powders and bullets to find what works best for your rifle and you. The case and primer really have little to do with preformence in the lever guns.

 

[FM12]

Just remember to NOT use pointed bullets for loading in the gun's tubular magazine.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I don't know, FM12...I do it all the time with a Winchester 94. I just don't load them in the magazine. I hand chamber each one...

 

[Chief 101]

If you likes Hogdon powders two of the best for the 3030 would be H4895 and H335. I've used them both tho I favor H4895. I shoot 180gr lead using H4895 with good results, something to consider. Chief aka Maxx Load

 

[Mike 56]

I use H335 because both my ak47 and 94 Winchester like it. I want to start casting bullets for my Winchester i see guys doing very well with them at the range.

Mike

 

[Phil A]

For .30-30 cast plinker loads, I have used 18 to 20 gr of medium speed rifle powders that I happen to have on hand and if I can find it listed in the load books. AA2015, H335, H322, AA2230, RX7, 3031, AA5744, ect. I use gas checks and a decent lube (Alox or Blue soft). - Phil

 

[Mike 56]

Thanks Phil A for the info.

Mike

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've used practically every powder suitable for the .30/30 and some that weren't.

For jacketed and cast bullets at big-game hunting speeds, Reloader15. For light plinking loads; Unique or Universal and possibly #2400.

If limited to Hodgdon, I'd use H4895. If not H4895, then BL-C2.

FWIW, the last Winchester 150's I pulled and checked, they seem to be using something very close to Win748, which is essentially the same as BL-C2. Velocity and charge weight agreed VERY CLOSELY. ie: 35.7gr of a spherical powder that gave 2,275fps with a 150gr Open-Point hollow point.
(20"bbl @ 65deg F., 700'msl)

I get ~100-125fps higher velocities and equal accuracy from RL-15, hence it's my prefered powder for the .30/30.

I use 12% reduced powder charges with my cast bullets. ie; a 158gr FNGC and 175gr FNGC. (Lee moulds, as-cast with gascheck and lubed).

 

[qajaq59]

My load for hogs is a 170 gr Hornady Core Lokt and H4350. I had some of that powder around for my K31 and decided to try it in the 30-30. It shot so well that I now use it for my hunting loads most of the time.
And cast is great in 30-30s. It's cheap and can be very accurate once you work up a decent load for it. I've also been using a lot of the Oregon Laser Cast with added gas checks for practice and that is good as well.