Help with 30-30 Win.

[mcollier]

Hi everyone, I got a reload kit about 10 years ago, and reloaded my own pistol shells for a while. I put the kit away for a loooooong time and am now trying to get back into it with my son.

I've decided to start re-loading 30-30. This weekend, we took our first crack at it. I did the calculations for our powder (IMR 3046), and based upon the VMR and the recommended grains came up with the correct volume to use. However, when I loaded the pre-measured powder into the case, it filled it up almost to the shoulder. I re-did my calculation and came up with the same result.

My question is, should there be this much powder in the shell? That seems like a heckuva lot, compared to what I remember from loading pistol years ago. I don't remember the powder taking up that much space in the shell.

Any advice from the assembled experts would be appreciated.

[mrawesome22]

First thing, which powder you are using will determine the charge weight, and that will determine how much of the case is filled. And I've never heard of IMR3046. Did you mean 3031?

[kraigwy]

Assuming you are using the proper power for a 30-30, its not unreasonable to fill the case to the shoulder.

On many of my loads (not 30-30 which I use in a TC) I have to use a drop tube or compress the powder.

An example, try beefing up a 30-06 with 4831.

Or worse black powder.

[mcollier]

Yeah, I just went downstairs and checked again: the powder is IMR 4064 - that's what I get for trying to sound smart...

Anyway, I also found a factory load left over from last time I shot, and pulled the bullet out. Sure enough, the shell was filled up to just about the same spot I filled it.

I'm using a 150 gr. jacketed bullet. The VMD listed in the table for this powder is .07450. Recommended start grains for that round is 33.8. I am using a Lee perfect powder measure to dole out the charge. To get the volume needed, I multiplied 33.8 X .0745, which gave me roughly 2.52 cc.

Seeing the factory-loaded charge puts me at ease....

[mrawesome22]

Hodgdon is showing a max charge of IMR4064 at 33.3gr for the 150gr bullet. And you should start 10% below that and work your way up.

[mcollier]

Wow, that's a pretty big difference. The chart I'm using (out of Richard Lee's Modern Reloading) shows a max of 37.5 for 150 gr jacketed. Now you're making me nervous....

I don't know much, but I do know that you can have too much powder as well as too little.

[mrawesome22]

My Lyman 48th shows a max of 31.5gr. So... be careful.

[mcollier]

Ok, I just looked down the chart at the recommended charge for a 170 gr bullet. The start grains for that one is only 30.5: heavier bullet = lower start grains???? I'm beginning to think I've found a misprint in this chart. Another chart I found shows 33.8 as a max - not a start....

[whitedogone]

Do you have a scale?

[mrawesome22]

Ran this through QuickLOAD and it comes up with about 32gr as max. 37gr showed a case fill of 116% so that wouldn't even fit in the case.

heavier bullet = lower start grains????

Correct. Heavier bullets require less powder.

[jimkim]

What brand bullet is it? That makes a difference too.
Hornady 150gr RN starting charge for IMR-4064 is 29.3gr.
Barnes 150gr XFN starting charge for IMR-4064 is 28.5gr.
Sierra 150gr FN starting charge for IMR-4064 is 28.7gr.

[Starvingboy]

Weigh it. I use the lee stuff, and sometime doing the math gets you close, but not right on. I run the vmd, then weigh the first 5-6 powder drops. My $.02, get off your wallet and get yourself a cheap scale

[reloader28]

For 150gr ,
I have 32.2max in Hornady and Sierra for IMR4064.
31.5max in Lyman for IMR4064.

Didnt see it in Speer and I didnt look in the other books. Try and get a couple more books and pick up all the free little booklets that they usually have in reloading sections in the store. You can use the internet too, tho I dont cause its a pain and takes way more time than just going to one of my books.

IMR4064 aint a real good load ,but it works. I've tried IMR3031 and it wasnt too bad, but I really like H335. It meters very well cause its a ball powder and I have good results with jacketed and cast bullets.

[ONEEYE7]

im looking at my lee modern reloading second edition manual. it says for a 30/30 150gr jacketed bullet with imr4064, a never exceed load of 33.7gr. dont do it!

[Uncle Buck]

Please get a scale. It is much easier on the mind, pocket book, gun and family members if you actually weigh the charge.

Glad to hear you are getting the next generation involved. I hope he enjoys reloading and shooting. Teach them right and when they go out in the world, you have less to worry about.

Besides, you and Junior will be able to spend some quality time together searching through the stores for what you want. Try some pawn shops, one of the ones I frequent always has some sort of used reloading gear for sale.

[mcollier]

Thanks so much for the response everyone. Yeah, my Lee book is first addition. They must have caught the error before printing the second edition...

I do have a scale also. I calculated the volume based on the numbers in the book, then poured the powder out of the shell onto the scale. I used the scale as a back up to make sure the volume was correct.

I've been prowling the internet and found several charts/calulators that agree within a tenth of a grain or so with what everyone here is saying. I'm definitely going with the advice of everyone here on this one.... Thanks again.

PS: Uncle Buck, yeah my kid would shoot every single day if he could get away with it. He was having the time of his life the other day punching out old primers and resizing brass.

[Uncle Buck]

I love it when the kids enjoy themselves.