Novice question: can .308/30-06 bullets be loaded into a 30-30 case?

[idek]

First off, I realize pointed bullets aren't typically used in lever action cartridges such as the 30-30 because of the way cartridges are aligned in the magazine tubes. But if I were to use a single shot rifle where the magazine tube is not an issue, could I load pointed .308 caliber bullets in a 30-30 case?

[dacaur]

The main problem you will run into is OAL. In order to load a 165gr spire point .308 bullet into a 30-30 with the correct OAL, the bullet will be too far in the case, that is, the ogive will start below the case mouth.... If your chamber will allow you to load long, it is possible, but IMO, its not a good idea... Almost as bad an idea as buying a single shot 30-30.... To me, the 30-30 round makes no sense unless you are going to use it in a levergun....

[idek]

Perhaps a follow-up question then is could I load a 30-06 or .308 down to 30-30 recoil levels?

[warnerwh]

Yes you can load down either of those to below 30-30 levels if you like. That's the beauty of reloading.

[A pause for the COZ]

Yes you can load spire point bullets in a 30-30 case. I do it all the time for my Savage 340 30-30 bolt gun. Plus we use a Spire Point load as the first load in our lever guns.
150 gr bullet is a 150 gr bullet. I also load 30-30 bullets in my 308 for Brush duty.
mostly though I just load what ever bullets I got a good deal on.
Shoot plenty of pointy cast bullets from 30-30 too.
Notice I did not say it was a better load. You only going to get so much with a barrel band. But it will make that 1st shot a little flatter.

[Mike / Tx]

I have and hunt with a 30-30 AI in a Contender handgun. I use the spitzer bullets in most of my loads with it. I am however only shooting the 150gr weights.

That said a co-worker of mine has an older bolt action 30-30 and I loaded up some rounds with him once upon a time. We again used the 150's and they worked out great.

As for downloading the 308 and 30-06, simply go to Hodgdon's web site and look up their reduced loads, might be listed as "Youth Loads". There you will find the info on dropping the powder charges down using H-4895 to get loads which actually will be at or below the standard 30-30 velocity. Most of the listed loads use a light weight bullet, however if you read the instructions you will find that the same principal used for the light weights can be applied to any load they list using H-4895. In other words if they list the powder with ANY bullet weight in either caliber, you can drop the load according to their instructions.

I have used plenty of 30-30 bullets in reduced loads through my .308 for hunting hogs up close and personal in the thick stuff like was mentioned above. I have also used the reduced loads when my grandson decided at age 3 he wanted to get in on the hog hunting. It took the summer of practicing, but he was hard headed enough to get the job done, and hasn't slowed down since.


This one he got using my old 25-06 and full power loads, then told my daughter she was going to have to find her a new rifle ......I bout fell over laughin at her.

[dacaur]

Perhaps a follow-up question then is could I load a 30-06 or .308 down to 30-30 recoil levels?

yes and thats definitely the better route IMO.

When developing my hunting load, which turned out to be 43.8gr of varget, I discovered that 39gr of varget is extremely accurate with a lot less recoil...

Use lighter bullets for less recoil, but dont think you can just load half the powder and get a light recoiling load, thats a good way to blow up a gun.

If you want really light recoil for plinking you can load a 100gr bullet over 10gr of unique, which I hear will give around 1600fps, with 38special level recoil.... I have not personally tried it, have heard in several places that it will work with just about any .30 cal cartridge.....

Another option is a .243. Its a way more serious cartridge than a 30-30, but with very light recoil compared to a .308 or 30-06.

[Edward429451]

Those Hornady 170 gr FP's for the 30/30 shoot very well in a 308 Win, short range. I have used 12.0 gr of Unique behind 100 gr bullets in 308 and 30/06, good small game or plinking load.

[jimbob86]

Perhaps a follow-up question then is could I load a 30-06 or .308 down to 30-30 recoil levels?

As Ed noted, you can download light .308" bullets down to really light duty levels..... 1500 f/sec w/ semi-jacketed bullets even less for cast lead.....

Much below that, and youare subsonic.....

[Clifford L. Hughes]

Idek:

I load 173 gr. LC match bullets in my Winchester Classc model 94. Single loaded I can consistently hit a ten inch gong at 100 yards. I wanted a two shooter but the magazine plunger spring has a rounded cap causing the cartide to enter at an making it impossible to load the magazine tube with pointed bullets.




Semper Fi.

Gunnery Sergeant
Clifford L. Hughes
USMC RETIRED

[bigcurt]

I loaded some FMJ 30 cal in some 30 30 brass for a friend to shoot fish. He said he could kill a fish 5 or 6 feet deep with no problem.

[Salmoneye]

Originally Posted by The Op Asked

But if I were to use a single shot rifle where the magazine tube is not an issue, could I load pointed .308 caliber bullets in a 30-30 case?

There is no issue whatsoever with COL and loading spire point bullets for a single shot rifle, unless there is a short throat and the bullet contacts the lands of the rifling...

You MAY have an issue with a box magazine and COL, but single loading a single shot by hand seldom proves to be an issue...

I have been single loading 180 grain Remington Bronze Point bullets in my Marlin model 1893 .30-30, just to see if I could...

Hand feeding one at a time works fine, but the cartridge is too long to eject unfired (without prying the rim from under the extractor)...

Make sure that your chosen bullet will open (mushroom) effectively at .30-30 velocities...

[Salmoneye]

I loaded some FMJ 30 cal in some 30 30 brass for a friend to shoot fish. He said he could kill a fish 5 or 6 feet deep with no problem.

I have been shooting fish all my life (legal here in Vermont), and I have yet to 'hit' one...

What brings them up is the concussion...Scoop or gaff quickly, as they are not dead, just stunned...