Ive just bought my first .30-30 a marlin L.T.S, ive really enjoyed learning about casting and cast shooting with my .444 performance is excellant.I now want to see if i can get such good results in my .30-30.......

Im thinking of trying either the lyman 173gn FNGC or the RCBS 180gn FNGC as we casters know often they come out heavier such as 185gn or 190gn plus there are other moulds im not familar with that produce much heavier .30 cal bullets.....

What loads/powders do "YOU" use with what bullet weights in your .30-30 ?? I would be interested to hear ??

Englander

Englander

I have use 190 gr cast with a gas check made by Carrol bullets. I use 5744 powder and load them light for my kids. Even though they are going slow they still penetrate quite well

With 170 gr
http://missoula.bigsky.net/western/cbip/b311291.html

I have shot 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 gr of IMR4895 in a scoped 1971 Win 94.
25 gr was the best.
I am going to get a Lyman M die so the bullet does not get scraped in seating.
I am going to get some 30-30 dies too, as the .308 dies I used are not right.

I have loaded the Lyman 31141, the 173-grain flatnose gascheck, with 30 grains of IMR 3031 for use in the Win. M94 carbine, with great success. It is accurate and gives about the same velocity performance as the factory jacketed 170-grain bullet.

There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON to use jacketed bullets in any rifle that performs at .30-30 ballistic levels!!

If you want to fool around, you can even make "softnose" cast bullets by just hardening the bases and leaving to nose part soft by heat-treating, then quenching the base portion only. I do this for my .35 Remington and .45/70 cast bullets.

PS For heat-trearment to work, bullets must be made from an alloy containing both antimony and a little arsenic. In the U.S., wheelweights meet this requirement.

[ 08-29-2003, 16:15: Message edited by: eldeguello ]

Englander:

Was loading up some 160 grain Cast bullets tonight in 30/30. I used 10 grains of Unique and a Large Pistol primer. Velocity is in the 1500 fps range.

That duplicates a lot of the original black powder loadings as I understand. It has performed well in two of my 30/30's a Stainless Marlin and a 24 inch Legacy Model 94. In my problem child 1966 vintage model 94, it hates that load like every thing else. I still think that particular rifle thinks it was suppose to be a 32 Win Special as it shoots almost everything like a 32 Spec would shoot 30/30 loads. It has been checked tho, and it is a 30/30 barrel. .313 cast bullets did not improve it at all. It only likes that 220 grain round nose load on the other post.

Englander,

For years my favorite full power load with the R.C.B.S. 180 gr. flat nosed bullet (185 grs. in 50/50 Wheelweights + Linotype) is 36 grs. of either W760 or H414. These loads are capacity loadings and generate 2,000+ f.p.s. in 20" barrels and over 2,100 f.p.s. in 26 inchers.

Accuracy in 5 different .30-30 leverguns has been excellent with 5 shot groups under 2" at 100 yards.

Have fun,
w30wcf

Hi Englander,
Found 30.5 gr. H-335 with the 311041 shoots great in Win 94 Legacy. That's about the heaviest bullet I've loaded with accuracy in my 30-30 to date. I also have a 1-38" twist Marlin .444 that likes everything cast that I feed it. Have a bunch of light loads as well as whompers that it loves to cloverleaf. Can't beat that Lee 113gr. RF for plinking.
Newtire

Englander--- I use a 160gr. round nose gas ckecked from a lee mould with 21.5 grs. of AA-5744-- shoots well --I shoot steel plates at 150 yrds.---22.5 grs. will punch a clean hole thru 3/8ths. steel plate-- If u try this load use caution and come up slow starting at about 19 grs. -- A cowboy load is 12.6grs. with the 160 for about a vel.of 1297 -- no gas check required at this level hope i have helped Mag801