30-30 Win

29 January 2003, 09:27

Brent

quote:
Originally posted by Fuzz:
Can you use Black Powder in 30-30Win.?
Fuzz

Yes. It was NOT orginally a bp cartridge but it will work. BP will work in any cartridge, though the results may not be terribly wonderful, depending on what you are after. Use cast bullets or paper patched bullets.

Brent

29 January 2003, 10:40

<Fuzz>

How much powder? 25-30 grs bp - 170gr cast?
Fuzz

30 January 2003, 03:27

Brent

quote:
Originally posted by Fuzz:
How much powder? 25-30 grs bp - 170gr cast?
Fuzz

The wonderful thing about black powder is that you cannot use too much. I'm not being flippant, but literally you fill the case to the base of the bullet. This is generally the "minimum" load. From there, you can compress quite a lot (0.5" in a .45-70 case for example). Compression requires a compression die however, as compressing with a lead bullet in your seating die will deform enough that they loose accuracy and may not even chamber. You will be limited in the amount of compression by the neck of your cartridge but that's okay.

Oh yes, use a drop tube of 24-30" to SLOWLY fill the case. This provides optimal powder settling in the case. Use an aluminum arrow for a drop tube, or a piece of 1/4" copper tubing from plumbing supply, or brass tubing from a local hobby shop.

Many folks put a card wad of any one of many different materials between powder and bullet. Milk carton or similar material is a good starter.

The 170 gr bullet should be fine I would think. Of course, if you are using a tube-fed magazine rifle then stick with flat or round noses.

For choices of black powder I would consider, in this order 2fg Swiss, 1.5fg Swiss, 2fg Goex (2002 vintage if possible).

Good luck, and enjoy the smoke.
Brent

30 January 2003, 03:41

<eldeguello>

Brent's replies are excellent, and tell you all you need to know about loading BP. One thing, though. The .30/30 has a 1/12" twist (or maybe some have a 1/10"), and they will foul up real fast! That's why the .32 Special has a 1/16" twist, specifically so it could be reloaded with BP! [Big Grin]

30 January 2003, 04:56

Brent

quote:
Originally posted by eldeguello:
Brent's replies are excellent, and tell you all you need to know about loading BP. One thing, though. The .30/30 has a 1/12" twist (or maybe some have a 1/10"), and they will foul up real fast! That's why the .32 Special has a 1/16" twist, specifically so it could be reloaded with BP!

On more hint. Do not use lubes made for smokeless powder like Alox. Use SPG or Lyman's Black Gold, or Black Magic, or one of several others. In fact, beeswax + olive oil 50:50 or a bit stiffer if it's hot out is where you want to be.

Brent