30-30 Accuracy Loads?

[stanway]

Well, I have a Savage 24 30-30/20GA on the way and will be reloading for the 30-30. I am thinking of using 125, 130, or 150gr pointed projectiles as the 24 is a single shot. So, any suggestions on accuracy loads? Powder suggestions welcomed as well.

Thanks,

James

 

[Win94]

James, IMR3031 has shot well in any .30-.30 i have owned be it lever or bolt.

 

[Levi Garrett]

Plus 1 on that, and 150-170 jacketed , or 173-180 Cast, with a medium crimp.

 

[grouch]

Cast bullets lyman 311284 - 220gr, 311466-150gr, 311365-200gr(very pointed), or Cast Bullet Engineering 309162-160gr with 14gr H110 have all shot well under 1" for 5 shots at 100yds for me out of a heavy bolt action.

I have no quarrel at all with your search for better perfomance, but suggest that at velocities attainable with 30 - 30, the benefits of pointed bullets are probably marginal.

Best of luck with your new rifle.

 

[hs4570]

340 30/30 Savage bolt...

40.0 grain H335...110 speer....2654..2649..2663 fps..3 shots/100 yds..0.80 inch

40.0 grain H335...125 Ballistic tip...2633..2648..2636 fps...3 shots/100 yd..1.10 in.

35.0 grains Imr3031..150 Hornady btspz..2519..2512..2533 fps..3 shots/100/1.00 inch............


*****Mr Grouch*****

150 gr. round nose vs 150 gr spitzer

2400 fps at muzzle

Rn 150.. 100 yd velocity...1962 fps..200 yd velocity..1589 fps
Spz150..100 yd velocity....2166......200 yd.............1946

Rn 150 100yd energy......1283 ft/lb...200 yd....841 ft/lb
Spz150 100 yd energy.....1583.........200 yd..1265 ft/lb

.....would suggest this is a better than "marginal" upgrade.


hs45/70....your mileage may vary

 

[grouch]

HS4570 - the differences you show are indeed noticeably more than I would have thought. Also, according to the data available to me, just a little optimistic.
Looking at the firearm specified, I'd be inclined to approach those loads carefully.
According to my data - admittedly not velocity tested like yours - 110gr max velocity+/- 2800 - round nose 100yd sighting at 200yd drops 6". Same weight spire point drops 4.3"
150gr max +/- 2300 - 100 to 200 drops 7.7". Spire point drops 6.2".
As to retained energy, I won't argue, the difference is large - but do either of us know how that relates to results? Just how much of that energy rubs off on game could vary drastically from one bullet shape to another, and a blunter nosed bullet very possibly will give you more reliable expansion especially at lower velocities.
So I'm certainly not going to suggest that you're wrong - but I will say that as I stand on the range and look at 200yds or more - which I would have to estimate - and given the probable conditions I would have to shoot under - the 1.5" to 2" difference in trajectory really doesn't look like a lot to me.
But don't stop doing what you're doing, it"s all progress and thank you for sharing your knowledge.

 

[Why not?]

I have loaded 30 gr of 3031 with 170s for years. Every 30-30 I have tried the load in has shot it very well, so I don't even try anything else now.

Ted

 

[snowshoe]

My favorite load for 3 seperate rifles, 2 Savage 340's and a break open, has been 37 1/2g of H335 and a 125g Remington psp ignited by Winchester LRP. The velosity for this load ran between 2534 to 2579, depending on what rifle I used. Another very accurate load for me is 36g of H335 and a 150g Winchester PSP power point, and Winchester LRP, for a velosity of 2450 fps. I use the 150's for Deer hunting and the 125's for everything else. My wife even took a few deer with the 125's and had no problem at all. Both loads stay inside the inch at 100 yards.

 

[hs4570]

Mr Grouch

The load data in my last post is my data shot and chronographed.....and is safe in my rifle....thank you for your concern..

The velocity/fps and ft/lbs energy comparison between 150 spitzer and 150 round nose is out of the reloading manuals I have..Hornady..Sierra etc.. I can only presume their velocity/energy tables are correct as I have now way of determining foot pounds energy...

What ever your beliefs on what actually does the "killing " part of a bullet when it strikes " game"... round nose vs spitzer is your call....However a 150 spitzer at 200 yds distance has the same "energy" as the 150 Round nose has at only 100yds....

That to me means that what ever Game I feel I can use the 30/30 for at 100 yds with a 150 R.N ..is just as dead at 200 yds with 150 spz... providing my shot is accurate at either distance..

There are a few 150 spitzers that expand quite well at 30/30 velocities....

I also shoot them out of my 94 winchester...one in the chamber..one in the mag. only!!!


hs45/70.........your mileage may vary