.30-30 homeloads

BLR 81

BLR 81

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Just out of curiosity...Who here loads for .30-30? What's your load recipe and how does it perform? What kind of rifle?

I have a NEF Handi Rifle topped with a cheap Bushnell Trophy, being as it's a single shot I can get away with pointed bullets and I just found out it LOVES Hornady 165 grn interbonds with IMR 3031. Shoots sub-MOA groups at around 2,000-ish FPS. Taking it for deer on thanksgiving weekend.

P.S. I do have a Williams peep kicking around here somewhere, thinking of switching to that....I mean, it's a .30-30 after all! :D
 
3031 seems to work with anything I've put in front of it. Did pretty good with Varget too, using Speer and Sierra 150gr FP's. After moose season, I'll be trying reduced loads with Berry's 150gr cmj's and Trail Boss. I hear good things about TB so I figured I'd give it a shot for plinking at the range.
 
I have loaded for several .30-30's over the years, and have settled on IMR4064 and H335 for powders. The bullet I used most was a pointed 150g Winchester power point, and I used them in Savage 340's and single shots. My old model 94 Winchester liked a 170g bullet and 4064 at right around 2200 fps, and would put 3 touching at 50 yards using open sights.
 
I bought a used H+R 158 in 30-30 a decade ago to teach my kids the importance of making the first shot count.It shoots 1/2 to 1MOA any day every day with a 4X Banner on it ! It has dropped many deer and a moose.I load either 32gr Win 748/170gr bullet or with a 150gr use 34.5gr same powder.Reliable as taxes ,best $100 I ever spent.........Harold
 
32 grains 3031, WLR primer, 170 grain hornady, whatever brass i have.

i should note that this load in remington brass is virtually identical velocity wise to the remington factory load. it is slightly faster in winchester and federal brass.
 
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32grs Win 748 and a 170gr Hdy FN, avg 2130fps. I find my brass are fluting around the shoulder, I tried to neck size with my Hornady neck die but it did'nt work. Apperantly you need a shorter Hdy neck size die?
But this load of mine dropped countless deer. Farthest range was 80yds. I have a near full pound of 3031 that I will use next with same bullet.
 
33 gr 3031, Win primer, 150 gr Hornady round nose. This is a fairly hot load by my understanding when compared to current era load data.
 
MiG25 said:
32 grains 3031, WLR primer, 170 grain hornady, whatever brass i have.

i should note that this load in remington brass is virtually identical velocity wise to the remington factory load. it is slightly faster in winchester and federal brass.
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Wow, that's a pretty smokin' load! The Hornady reloading manual claims a max. charge of 28.5 grains of IMR 3031 for a 170 grn bullet! Meh, whatever works...:D
 
Varmint 30-30 load from Ken Waters:
27.2 grains of IMR 4198 under the short Sierra 110 grain half jacketed hollowpoint.

Very light recoil, great for beginner shooters. In my carbine it printed about three inches higher than 150 grain factory at 100 yards.
Respectabley accurate also, with 3 shots into 1.5 inches with irons from a bench.
 
BLR 81 said:
Wow, that's a pretty smokin' load! The Hornady reloading manual claims a max. charge of 28.5 grains of IMR 3031 for a 170 grn bullet! Meh, whatever works...:D
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well, Lee lists 32 grains as max, don't know what their source is. what i do know is that according to my notes, average velocity is 4 (four) fps faster than remington factory ammo (well within the error of the chronograph), so i am confident i am on safe ground.
 
MiG25 said:
well, Lee lists 32 grains as max, don't know what their source is. what i do know is that according to my notes, average velocity is 4 (four) fps faster than remington factory ammo (well within the error of the chronograph), so i am confident i am on safe ground.
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Oh I'm not doubting your word, I totally believe you...Just surprised, that's all.
 
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