30-30 heavy hitters

[Canuck44]

Maybe I can join your club here. Two days ago I bought not one, but two, 30-30 rifles, from far different locations, which I haven't fired yet!
One, a very low mileage 336 Marlin, made in 1957. Four digit serial number, after they came out with micro groove rifling and factory drilled and tapped for scope.
Number two is a real good condition Savage 340, with a professionally drilled scope base and mounts, holding a 3200 Elite, 2 to 7.
I too, have loaded up some 170 grain bullets designed for the 30-30, for the Marlin. As you probably know, I usually go by my own notes on what I have reloaded before, but these are skimpy on the 30-30, so I went to a Du Pont loading chart from the 1980s. This shows 2.8 grains more of 3031, than does the max on line Hodgdon charts. I have likely used this load in the past, but I cut it down to try.
Dave, maybe you can send me PM of what your load of 3031 is for the 170 grain bullet in a lever rifle.
For loads for the 30-30 Savage I am trying pointed 150 grain, so have loaded some with IMR4895, to see how they go for accuracy and velocity.
I wish I had some LVR!
Bruce

Hey Bruce I recently bought a 336 with micro groove rifling. Using the Lyman 311041 boolit with a GC at 1700 fps the gun is a shooter. I just put my Sparc red dot on it and it is just great for older eyes. Out to 130 yards so far the gun preforms. Hope you find yours as accurate.

Bob

 

[07blackwater]

OK a little follow up here.

BTW I'm shooting a win94 with a 20" barrel and I'm using Hornady 170 grain FP IL.

I tried some WLR primers and had some bizarre results even though they are recommended by hodgdon on the website.

35.5 grains 2165 fps average.
36 grains 2189 fps average.
36.3 grains 2183 fps average. This load was over pressure. Extractor marks on the brass, severe recoil and lower velocity?

I used W-W brass and the temp was 20C.

I loaded up another batch with CCI200's and the 36.3 grain load gave me an average velocity of 2200 fps with a standard deviation of 5 fps grouping an inch @ 50 yards. Temp was 13C.

My earlier try with the cci primers showed higher velocity but I think the sun shining directly on my chronograph skewed the numbers. The day was hotter as well so I don't know if this powder is temp sensitive or not, more testing will tell.

A load of 36 grains with cci's gave me an average of 2185 fps, a standard deviation of 2.44 and a 0.94" group, if this powder is temp sensitive this is the load I'd stick to unless the weather is cool.