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Every rifle is different, etc., etc... But what do you think is the ONE best powder for moderately fast, accurate all around 30-30 loads with the 173 Gr. Lyman 311041 FN, lubed, gas checked bullet?
I'll probably use the most popular "vote" to start up some experimental loads for my levergun that leans toward accuracy versus something that travels at 4200 fps and wears out the barrel in three shots (slight exaggeration, of course)!
This is for deer or piggies, where I can shoot the lead rounds.
My powder candidates for this caliber and load, so far (I have the last two on the shelf):
IMR 3031
IMR 4895
BL-C(2)
I've been using 28gr of H-335 or 9.5gr of Unique with large pistol primers, Lee lube, and cast from WW for the Lyman bullet with great success from my MicMarlin and H&R. Sized to .309dia
Very consistent groups and clean burning, little to no lead easy on brass.
I've shot 285rds Since the 1st of April with the H-335 powder, just under 400rds with the Unique last fall and this spring. Works well on small game, clean hole through.
That which does not kill me has made a grave tactical error.
I have been using 28 grains of IMR4895 with the RCBS 150 FN and it shoots very good. I tried 26 grains with the RCBS 180 FN and it shows promise. I shot a 4-1/2" five shot group at 100 yards Friday. The mold casts a bit undersize and the 180 hasn't shot real well in two other rifles so I think it will do better with a larger diameter bullet. The other problem is that me shooting open sights at 100 yards is more an eye test than a rifle test! This is in a 20" Winchester 94.
I tried BL-C(2) a few years ago but I don't remember how it did. If it had done well I would probably remember! But every rifle is an individual.
I have been working on the same problem for the last 2 months. So far, Reloader 7 has given me the best results. I'm planning to try 4198 next but only because I have some availalbe. The Re 7 looks like a winner.
this is my favorite 30-30 bullet. Mostly I load it with 24.5 gr Reloder 7. Lately I have been trying some xmp5744 and they show a lot of promise. It seems to me that xmp5744 loads may be as accurate, and produce a bit lighter recoil, for some reason, load for load. I'm still working on a favorite load with this powder.
John,
Of the powders you listed BLC2 would get my vote. It's a very good powder for the .30-30. 30 grs. should give you very good results = a factory load if your bullets are at least 16 bhn.
Have fun.
w30wcf
aka John Kort
aka Jack Christian SASS 11993 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
aka w44wcf (black powder)
NRA Life member
.22 WCF, .30 WCF, .44 WCF Cartridge Historian
I use 20 grains of Alliant reloader 7, federal match primers & Remington cases W/ 170 gr. laser-cast gas check bullet.
This load will knock down the Rams at 175 meters, guaranteed.
And buy the way is very accurate in a 20" BB classic as well as my 26" octagon barreled Winchester Legacy.
I also use 5744 powder for light loads to ring steel at 200 yards for Cowboy Long range side matches. About 11 grains does the trick. The starting load on the Accurate web-site is 11.3 grains. This is a very accurate load but not a power load.
I realize that each firearm is different, but I wanted a consensus of a more or less universal powder for a somewhat universal, inexpensive lead .30-30 bullet - for a variety of reasons - a medium range load that works safely and reasonably well with most 30-30's in a pinch.
This is my prefered cast bullet for the .30wcf and I use W748 powder. I have had excellent results with W748 with this cast bullet and several varieties of jacketed bullets.
I have found that the Lyman #311041 performs very well in my Winchester 94's in both accuracy and in performance in the field on Whitetail Deer.
25.5 grs of Varget ignited by CCI BR-2 primers. Not a velocity champ load but fast enough and SUPER accurate out of 3 .30-30 rifles that I have owned. 1886.
Wow - I guess my "final" reply bumped this to the top and gathered some more great info. Thanx, 20vacas, Hobie, and 1886 for the additional loads. This should be enough info to get ANYBODY started on a great load for the classic 30-30 round, since we have a lot of different powders represented here (and a few that surprised me). I'm going to print these posts to a file for my "30_30" directory.
One more for the library, 25.5 grs of 2495 torched by CCI BR-2 primers may be great as well. 2495 is an often over looked but great cast powder esp. in .45-70, .45-90, .38-55. Has worked great in the .30-30 too. Regards, 1886.
21 gr. of 5744 with a 175 gr. Saeco tapered gas check bullet sized .311. I shoot this load out of 8 or 10 30-30's. Its good for about 1800-----------Sixgun
The Lyman 311041 is my favorite also. They weigh 175grs for me and I size them .311. 27grs 3031 gives me 1 1/2" groups @ 100 yards. Don't know the velocity
44
“I’ve noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born.” Ronald Reagan
= a factory load if your bullets are at least 16 bhn.
