I am pretty new at the contender shooting. I shot a few years ago but about a year ago I fell in love with them.

I have several barrels and all shoot pretty good with open sights. BUT! I have a 10" 30-30 and am having a hell of a time hitting a paper plate at 100yds. Some of it is me, but I can't find a good load. Very inconsistent, I am loading 150's with BL-c2. I am using info from Hornaday manual. And some stuff from Bob Milek. I know the 30-30 isnt a real good round for that short of a barrel but I like shooting it and want to try deer with it.

First off dump the 150's and go with a 125gr NBT or 130gr SSP.I think it will do better in a 10" tube using the lite bullets.

I'd go with the Hornady 130 SSP in the 10", if you can find it. The 135 (?) Sierra SSP is another good bet. I don't like BLC2 in the .30-30 although it does well for me in the .25-35. H4895 might be a good powder with the lighter bullet in the shorter barrel... I would not expect over 2200 fps out of the 10" but it will do the trick on a deer.

Oh, and you do have a manual, don't you?

[ 10-13-2003, 04:41: Message edited by: Hobie ]

imr 4198 may just do the trick. i like it. used it in a 14" 30-30 with 125gr noslers long ago. i'm also using imr4198 and 130gr hornady ssp in my 14" 30-30 ackley improved. did i say, "i like it!" i'm with the others. dump the 150's and try those in the 125-135gr range. especially those designed specifically for single shot pistols or the 125gr nosler. it will take a deer out just fine.

In the .30-30 Winchester I have always shot a Local Dealers Commercial Reload using 125gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips loaded with AA2230. While this load is OK in a Super 14, I didn't care for it in a 10". In the 10" Velocity was a little low, muzzle blast was worse, but the accuracy was decent.

Recently I have been using IMR-4198 with 125gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips in .30-30 Winchester Brass as a fireform load in my Super 14 .30-30 Ackley Improved. Accuracy has been right at the 1" mark for 5 shots at 100 yards, and recoil is mild. I am not sure what the velocity is as I have never chronographed them.

This combination just might be the ticket for a 10" tube, at least worth a try.

Larry

Thanks again! No more TC questions from me! And no I don't have a TC manual, I should track one down. I have just been using my AA and hornady manuals. And some notes from Bob Milek.

Well, if you're loading Hogdon powder I HIGHLY recommend the Hogdon Annual Manual. It shows loads for both the rifle and pistol for the .30-30 (which doesn't matter that much). $7.95 I think and worth every penny.