30/30 load info request

Joe Portale · September 20, 1999, 04:12 PM

Howdy all,

I am looking for a suggested load for 30/30 with cast lead bullets. I am would like to participate in a steel target shoot offered by my club. I have loaded 30/30 for a while, but only metal jacket hunting loads. I looked in the Lee and Hodgdon books and didn't see anything for cast bullets. Oh, the targets will be typical mild steel out about 150 - 300 yards. Also, I will be using a 125 grain bullet.

Thank mucho!

------------------
Joe Portale
Sonoran Sidewinder
Tucson, Arizona territory

James K · September 20, 1999, 08:47 PM

Lyman puts out a manual with cast bullet loads. You will need a gas check or a very hard alloy for rifle loads.

Jim

Paul B. · September 21, 1999, 12:56 AM

Joe. Jim is right in what he said. I would like to add that I don't think a 125 gr. bullet has sufficient weight to knock down a steel target at 300 yards. I would go to at least 170 gr. or even heavier. Cast your bullets out of 10 pounds wheel weights, and one pound of linotype. This bullet will heat treat to a hardness of about 20 to 24 BHN.
Right now, I am tinkering with a 190 gr. bullet in the 30-30. I want to duplicate the old .303 Savage load, which had a 190 gr. Silvertip at 1950 FPS.
Old timers that I have talked to said it was a better killer on deer and elk than the
30-30 due to it's deeper penetration. It should have a lot on knockdown power on a steel target.
The first load I tried gave 2250 FPS on the chrony, but accuracy was terrible. I didn't want it going that fast anyway.
If you want to try some, I have bullets from 115 gr. to 200 gr. in .30 caliber in cast lead. E-mail me if you are interested.
Paul B.

Reddog · September 26, 1999, 03:12 PM

Joe,I've been shooting lead bullets in my 30/30 for about 15 years. I use the Lee 180 gr. rn/flat nose gas check mold. I have three different loads I use. 25 gr. BLC-2, 15 gr. 2400 and 21.5 gr. 4198. I also put a pea sized ball of Dacron on top the powder. I have a Ted Williams Sears 30/30 and a son with a Win. 94, and have had good luck in both guns. In my opinion, lead is the only way to go with a 30/30. Like Paul says, use heavier bullets. Reddog

September 20, 1999, 04:12 PM	#1
Joe Portale Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 1999 Location: Tucson, Arizona Territory Posts: 715	Howdy all, I am looking for a suggested load for 30/30 with cast lead bullets. I am would like to participate in a steel target shoot offered by my club. I have loaded 30/30 for a while, but only metal jacket hunting loads. I looked in the Lee and Hodgdon books and didn't see anything for cast bullets. Oh, the targets will be typical mild steel out about 150 - 300 yards. Also, I will be using a 125 grain bullet. Thank mucho! ------------------ Joe Portale Sonoran Sidewinder Tucson, Arizona territory

September 20, 1999, 08:47 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Lyman puts out a manual with cast bullet loads. You will need a gas check or a very hard alloy for rifle loads. Jim

September 21, 1999, 12:56 AM	#3
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,801	Joe. Jim is right in what he said. I would like to add that I don't think a 125 gr. bullet has sufficient weight to knock down a steel target at 300 yards. I would go to at least 170 gr. or even heavier. Cast your bullets out of 10 pounds wheel weights, and one pound of linotype. This bullet will heat treat to a hardness of about 20 to 24 BHN. Right now, I am tinkering with a 190 gr. bullet in the 30-30. I want to duplicate the old .303 Savage load, which had a 190 gr. Silvertip at 1950 FPS. Old timers that I have talked to said it was a better killer on deer and elk than the 30-30 due to it's deeper penetration. It should have a lot on knockdown power on a steel target. The first load I tried gave 2250 FPS on the chrony, but accuracy was terrible. I didn't want it going that fast anyway. If you want to try some, I have bullets from 115 gr. to 200 gr. in .30 caliber in cast lead. E-mail me if you are interested. Paul B.

September 26, 1999, 03:12 PM	#4
Reddog Member Join Date: August 1, 1999 Posts: 56	Joe,I've been shooting lead bullets in my 30/30 for about 15 years. I use the Lee 180 gr. rn/flat nose gas check mold. I have three different loads I use. 25 gr. BLC-2, 15 gr. 2400 and 21.5 gr. 4198. I also put a pea sized ball of Dacron on top the powder. I have a Ted Williams Sears 30/30 and a son with a Win. 94, and have had good luck in both guns. In my opinion, lead is the only way to go with a 30/30. Like Paul says, use heavier bullets. Reddog