Hey Guys

I was thinking of getting back to some pistol shooting for the summer. I have a contender in 30-30 ack imp with the 12 hunter barrel. I have not shot this combo that much and over the last couple of years I have gotten into reloading pretty deep. I was wondering about the best powder to use. I have on hand Varget, IMR4064, and IMR4320. Anyone using Varget? Also bullet selection. I was very interested in the 150g bullets, but would consider lighter ones. I was think of 150 hornady sst, 150 sierra GK and PH, 150g Nos BT. Any other recommendations? Anyone making a good 125-135 g bullet to use? I appreciate any help and good shooting this summer.

WW-748 was pretty much a factory powder for a 30-30. No reason why it wouldn't be a great place to start for your AI.
I want to have a 30-30 AI barrel made up for my Contender carbine as a matter of fact.

Any of the powders you listed should be good to experiment with. In my 30-30AI I use IMR4198 and 150 grain Nosler BT's which yield MOA accuracy and 2400fps from a 14" barrel.

Good Luck!

I get MOA and sub-MOA groups using W748 in my Contender 30/30 barrel. I used to love the Hornady 130gr. Single Shot Pistol bullets, but they no longer list them.

Good shooting,
desmobob

Here's a grop with my new 14" SS Contender barrel. I bought it with the plan of having it rechambered to .308 Bellm or .309 JDJ. I figured I had better shoot it before I sent it out. Now that I know how it shoots, I don't want to have anything done to it! My T/C 10" SS barrel shoots just as well.



Good shooting,
desmobob