reduced 30-30 loads

azmark · Post by **azmark** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 2:07 pm

I read Paco's article "30-30 varmint loads" and I'm interested in checking out some more info on this. Where are some other good sources for reduced loads for varmints, plinking, etc?

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 3:49 pm

I have used W231 with 116grn lead , just don,t put more than 5grn in. Good to 50yds.
I have used Blue dot & 150 hard cast gas checked. Don,t go more than 13grn. Good beyond 100yds.
W231 works good with Speer 110 grainers and hornady 110 R noses.
Good small game stuff, 30/30 is so versatile.
Nath.

1886 · Post by **1886** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 6:27 pm

Happy to share mine. W/W brass sized with a .3075" expander, Bear Creek Supply 170gr soft cast sized .309, 6.5grs Trail Boss, all ignited by CCI-300 primers. Velocity averages a very quiet 950-975fps. This load will penetrate so careful please. Regards. 1886.

azmark · Post by **azmark** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 9:10 pm

I'm not familiar with Bear Creek Supply. Where can you get them?

Scott64A · Post by **Scott64A** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 9:14 pm

Hmmmmmm....

What about 2400 under a 110gr JHP?

I have a couple hundred of those things laying around and have been looking for just the right use for them...

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 10:19 pm

You can use 2400, just check the Alliant web site under silhouette loads.

I just fired my first 30-30 loads ever, this was a silhouette load also. Went with SR 4759, at 15.0, 15.5, 16.0, and 16.5. What a great boom sound the first two loads made! Sounded like black powder in a muzzleloader.

The first two each made groups with 4 shots touching and one flyer, at 25 yards. The first load was way low and to the left, whereas the second load was higher with perfect windage. The 16.0 and 16.5 each spread out considerably. These were Lasercast 170's with no gas check. I probably got 1500 fps with the good loads. I will be going with the 15.5 gr load for the time being.

Got to get my Ranger worked on - with CCI primers, half the shots wouldn't go off the first time. Some took three strikes.

tcomer · Post by **tcomer** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 2:13 pm

I've been using 10grs of Unique with the 170gr Laser Cast bullets in my Win 94. Seems like it takes forever to scrub the barrel out after a shooting session. Not the most accurate load but I wonder if it is because the Laser Cast are a gas check design and I don't use the checks. It's a fun load to shoot. Recoil is about the same as my medium loads in the 357 Puma. Is it easier to clean up using Trail Boss?

Lefty Dude · Post by **Lefty Dude** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 2:23 pm

5744 Accurate works for me. W/O gas check Lasercast 165, 11 grains. W/ Gas check 15 grains. I use federal Match primers.

1886 · Post by **1886** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 6:04 pm

Bear Creek Supply is in Waterford Ca. Their web site is down for revamping but they are open. I do not have their number but directory assistance can help. Honco's name is Steve. Good guy. Let him know you had heard of his company on this forum. Best Wishes. 1886.

1886 · Post by **1886** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 6:20 pm

tcomer wrote:I've been using 10grs of Unique with the 170gr Laser Cast bullets in my Win 94. Seems like it takes forever to scrub the barrel out after a shooting session. Not the most accurate load but I wonder if it is because the Laser Cast are a gas check design and I don't use the checks. It's a fun load to shoot. Recoil is about the same as my medium loads in the 357 Puma. Is it easier to clean up using Trail Boss?

Sounds like your barrel is leading? Yes? Leading is caused by gas "cutting" your bullets. This is caused by gas getting by your projectiles and leaving lead deposits in your barrel. Are the bullets the correct size for the bore? Generally a bullet a thousand or two over groove diameter would be a good place to start. Pressure must be matched to the projectile's hardness. Harder bullets need more pressure to obturate and softer bullets require less. Bevel bases bullets may cause problems. Harder projectiles require more neck tension(smaller expander), softer bullets require less neck tension(an expander about .002 smaller than projectile diameter so as not to swage down the bullet during seating). Is your rifle's bore rough? This can contribute to leading. Gas checks designs may help some. I am certain others will give their thoughts. Hope this helps some. Accurate, clean cast bullet shooting can be tricky at times, more like a black art than science. Lots of experienced shooters here. 1886.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:40 pm

tcomer wrote:I've been using 10grs of Unique with the 170gr Laser Cast bullets in my Win 94. Seems like it takes forever to scrub the barrel out after a shooting session. Not the most accurate load but I wonder if it is because the Laser Cast are a gas check design and I don't use the checks. It's a fun load to shoot. Recoil is about the same as my medium loads in the 357 Puma. Is it easier to clean up using Trail Boss?

I would have to assume that a difficult clean up is the result of lead fouling in the bore, not powder fouling. And, yes, I think a gascheck design sans the gascheck will lend itself to leading quite rapidly. It all depends on just how hard the bullets are. If you're looking for a great reduced .30-30 load, I like the 5744 load by Accurate Powders found @: http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/PerC ... %20161.pdf (couldn't seem to make a link work, so it seems you'll have to cut n' paste). Note: while it shows a 160gr lead bullet, moving up to a 170 or down to a 150 with the same load is not a problem. However, the underlying problem with a cleaning problem can stem from bullet choice, bullet to bore or groove diameter, hardness, velocity, barrel condition, and not generally to powder choice... (unless you're shooting BP).

tcomer · Post by **tcomer** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:24 pm

The Laser Cast bullets are sized at .310 and they are hard. I don't get much leading but it's there. Once I get through the powder when I clean, then I get small flakes of lead. Not much though. I also use Laser Cast bullets in my 357 and 44 mag Puma guns. Same type of leading, but the powder residue is much easier to deal with. That's why I asked about Trail Boss. I do have a lot of Win 760 powder, but my Lyman Cast book doesn't list it and the start load in my Sierra book is 30grs at 1800 fps for the 170gr bullet. Anyone know how low you can go with that powder?

DerekR · Post by **DerekR** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:32 pm

I found that i got leading as I approached 9 grains of Unique with a 165 grain plain based .309 bullet. I coat them in Lee Liqued Alox and load over 8.0 grains of Unique for lots of cheap and clean shooting fun.