Need you experts to help - Page 2

Rimfire5 · January 31, 2023, 06:48 AM

I would generally concur with stagpanther for almost every rifle.
But with the .30-30, most traditional bullets are soft nosed and vary considerably out of the same box, probably due to deformation of the soft tip.

The 160 FTX has a higher BC, and very little variation bullet to bullet box to box.
The 140 GTX, now the CX I think, also has low variation and might be another choice, but it is all copper. With my rifle, it shoots almost as well as the 160 FTX, both with LeveRevolution powder.
Your rifle my shoot the lighter bullets better than the FTX. Every barrel is different. It might even shoot even heavier bullets well.

All the soft nose bullets in my 30-30 shoot groups that are larger by 50%. They are pretty consistent in group size, but the groups are larger.

stagpanther · January 31, 2023, 10:54 AM

I agree variation is a big factor, but maybe it's just my particular rifle that prefers the 170 spire points. Funny enough, I've never had much luck with ftx's and leverlution in mine. 1.5" at 100 I'd consider pretty good with any 30-30 recipe. My best results so far have been with winchester power points. I would also like to try Nosler's 150 gr round nose bullets--if I can ever find them.

**Unclenick** · January 31, 2023, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAF Ret

Next loading, I will spread my sample size to 1/2 grain between loads.

That's a little big, IMHO. A rule of thumb for seeking a node load is steps of 0.7% to 1.0%. For you, 0.3 grains per step falls right in the middle and is a good number to use. If you are working up a load while looking for pressure signs, then 2% steps are adequate.

USAF Ret · January 31, 2023, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unclenick

That's a little big, IMHO. A rule of thumb for seeking a node load is steps of 0.7% to 1.0%. For you, 0.3 grains per step falls right in the middle and is a good number to use. If you are working up a load while looking for pressure signs, then 2% steps are adequate.

Yessir, been reading and watching info on the node calculation. Mark has been sending me recommendations as well.

January 31, 2023, 10:54 AM	#27
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,779	I agree variation is a big factor, but maybe it's just my particular rifle that prefers the 170 spire points. Funny enough, I've never had much luck with ftx's and leverlution in mine. 1.5" at 100 I'd consider pretty good with any 30-30 recipe. My best results so far have been with winchester power points. I would also like to try Nosler's 150 gr round nose bullets--if I can ever find them. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!* Last edited by stagpanther; January 31, 2023 at 11:14 AM.

January 31, 2023, 06:48 AM	#26
Rimfire5 Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 923	I would generally concur with stagpanther for almost every rifle. But with the .30-30, most traditional bullets are soft nosed and vary considerably out of the same box, probably due to deformation of the soft tip. The 160 FTX has a higher BC, and very little variation bullet to bullet box to box. The 140 GTX, now the CX I think, also has low variation and might be another choice, but it is all copper. With my rifle, it shoots almost as well as the 160 FTX, both with LeveRevolution powder. Your rifle my shoot the lighter bullets better than the FTX. Every barrel is different. It might even shoot even heavier bullets well. All the soft nose bullets in my 30-30 shoot groups that are larger by 50%. They are pretty consistent in group size, but the groups are larger.