150gr 0.308 Partition?
- Thread starter Fox
- Start date
Hodgdon lists the max load of LVR to just under 2390fps with a 160gr FTX and 2510fps with a 150gr. I assume that with the longer bullet I will have to limit things closer to the length of bullet as opposed to the weight. I hope to get it around 2400fps rather than 2500fps as the weight indicates. I know that there will be a lot of steps involved in this and getting my hands on a few to see if they even fit right and cycle is the first step.
If you can't tell, I like having fun with shooting rather than just doing what everyone else does.
So I received 3 test bullets to play with.
I loaded 1 into an empty case and seated it deep enough so that it would fit in the magazine in any of the 3 spots in the mag. Essentially it has to be loaded to the same COAL as the Hornady FTX 160gr bullets. The first thing that I noticed is that the bullet is seated into the ogive. This was not ideal, since I have a factory crimp die I crimped the case down and that closed up the gap between the bullet and the case. The case is now rounded at that point but this is not any different than a heavy crimp on the cannelure, so I thought that was not going to be a problem. When lining up the 150gr bullet beside the loaded case and also a 30-30 bullet with the cannelure you can see that the spire point bullet seats as deep as the 170gr 30-30 bullet, not any further into the case.
It seems like this may be possible, loading with the 160gr FTX data to start and watching how things go for velocity. I say the 160gr FTX data as this is lower than the 150gr as the bullet is longer and sits deeper into the case, so wanting to start lower rather than higher.
If I can get somewhere in the ballpark of 2300-2400fps that would be gravy.
A new project, great, ha ha ha.
I loaded 1 into an empty case and seated it deep enough so that it would fit in the magazine in any of the 3 spots in the mag. Essentially it has to be loaded to the same COAL as the Hornady FTX 160gr bullets. The first thing that I noticed is that the bullet is seated into the ogive. This was not ideal, since I have a factory crimp die I crimped the case down and that closed up the gap between the bullet and the case. The case is now rounded at that point but this is not any different than a heavy crimp on the cannelure, so I thought that was not going to be a problem. When lining up the 150gr bullet beside the loaded case and also a 30-30 bullet with the cannelure you can see that the spire point bullet seats as deep as the 170gr 30-30 bullet, not any further into the case.
It seems like this may be possible, loading with the 160gr FTX data to start and watching how things go for velocity. I say the 160gr FTX data as this is lower than the 150gr as the bullet is longer and sits deeper into the case, so wanting to start lower rather than higher.
If I can get somewhere in the ballpark of 2300-2400fps that would be gravy.
A new project, great, ha ha ha.
If you are using a magazine fed rifle you do not need to crimp. The crimp is only essential if you have a tubular magazine.
Secondly, you truly do not need Partitions in a .30-30. Get some Hornady 150 gr SP, which are also flat base, and short, and you will have no problem with their performance on deer, or moose, or bear.
I would not get obsessed with theoretical energy numbers. The maximum distance you should be shooting is the maximum distance you are comfortable with, and that you can hit the target reliably under field conditions. Frankly, most hunters that I have seen at our range (which goes out to 200 yards), shouldn't be shooting past 150 yard under field conditions.
Worry about 300 yard energy when you practice a lot at 300 yards and you can hit at that range.
Secondly, you truly do not need Partitions in a .30-30. Get some Hornady 150 gr SP, which are also flat base, and short, and you will have no problem with their performance on deer, or moose, or bear.
I would not get obsessed with theoretical energy numbers. The maximum distance you should be shooting is the maximum distance you are comfortable with, and that you can hit the target reliably under field conditions. Frankly, most hunters that I have seen at our range (which goes out to 200 yards), shouldn't be shooting past 150 yard under field conditions.
Worry about 300 yard energy when you practice a lot at 300 yards and you can hit at that range.
The purpose of the crimp is to not have a gap between the bullet and the case mouth, to have crap get stuck in there, no other reason.
The reason for the Partition is to have a more heavily constructed bullet, for a lighter bullet I will just use the 160gr FTX, no issues there.
The numbers are to show that having a higher BC actually matters. Most people say that a 30-30 is no good past 50 or 100 yards and it is just like throwing a stone, well the numbers counter that. The comparison to long range 308 Win shows that, if a 150gr bullet is moving at a certain speed it will react a certain way no matter what the cartridge is behind it yet this seems to be something a lot of people do not understand.
My buddy has a 200 yard gong at his place, not tough to hit at all with a decent rest, the 100 yard gong is a free hand proposition every single time, using a rest feels like cheating.
I never expect more than a 200 yard shot but the 300 yard numbers show the maximum range based on accepted energy values and velocity for the bullet to open up reliably, not the expected range it would be used.
You can make the bullet fit better by taking a side cutter and clipping off about 1/10 of an inch from the tip. Then dress it up with a flat file, so you now have a small flat point. This allows you to seat the bullet farther out.
As for hotrodding a 30-30 in a Savage 340 don't forget the weak extractor .I had one in .222 and could only run it at 3 /4 throttle and cycle empties out of the chamber after being fired. A Hornady 170 will go through 40" of moose at 2100 fps all day every day.
That would defeat the purpose of having the higher BC.
Not hot rodding anything, trying to get a flatter trajectory out of the 30-30 and holding the velocity. The energy numbers of a high velocity (2300fps with LVR powder) 170gr RN bullet still has less energy at 200 yards than a 150gr spitzer at 2400fps muzzle velocity with LVR powder.
It really feels like I am having to explain this over and over and over again, the purpose is not to make a 308, the purpose is to be as efficient as possible with a rifle that fits my wife.
Please read the thread before adding comments that have already been explained again and again.
Ya, I get that, I do not think it is really needed though, luckily, as the crimp closes up that gap around the bullet.
Someone suggested trimming back the brass, something I would consider if needed.
I am stoked to try this out, may have to wait until the holiday season though, have to order in some powder and bullets.
