30-30 reloads

f55

f55

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Tried 30-30 reloaded last night, out of the 10 rounds 7 had backed out primers (slight backed out). I used IMR 4895 30gr with 150gr win projectiles cci200 primers.

Factory rem,win & federal did the same in my marlin 336, is this normal for 30-30 rounds due to low pressure or should I be worried?
 
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Hi. The primers are backing out with factory ammo too? Are they coming above the case head?
Below minimum loads can be as dangerous as above max loads, but 1.5 below usually isn't that much below.
It's not a pressure thing though. BL-C(2) starting loads give much lower pressures than IMR4895. 21,800 CUP vs 32,200 CUP. If you have any of 'em left, you should pull a few and weigh the powder.
 
Primers backing out can be a low pressure sign. I wouldn't be too surprised if factory ammo was also loaded on the light side. I suggest increasing your powder charge and seeing what happens. My guess is that this is the most likely explanation.

The other possibility is excessive headspace. If so, neck sizing your brass only will save it from being over-worked.
 
"...neck sizing your brass only..." Lever actions require FL sizing. Thought headspace too, but that isn't likely with a 336.
 
Low pressures are what is making these primers back out like that.
While it is true that you must FL size for leverguns, you can overdo that as well.
Make sure you are not pushing the shoulder back when you resize.
The load you have listed is very "soft"
With 150's, I use 32/33 grains of IMR 3031, which is faster burning than is IMR or H4895.
Set your FL die so that you can just close the lever easily on your brass.
Then increase that load a bit, and your problems will go away.
Factory ammo in the 30-30 is generally quite mild as well, in deference to some of the older rifles so chambered.
Oh, BTW, ignore sunray, he generates more heat than light, lol
Regards, Eagleye.
 
Thanks for all the responses, i loaded it light as this was the first 10 rounds of 30-30 i was reloading, i will increase to min which is 31.5gr and try again, and might even try imr3031. I was just a little worried when the factory ammo did the same that i had headspace issues, will let you know how it turns out with 31.5gr.

6gm6, I used Hornady lock-n-load auto charge powder dispenser, don't trust the less scale or power measure anymore.
 
My turn...

I'm hand casting 170gr lead flat nose bullets. I'm putting 29 grains of H335 under them and my accuracy is TERRIBLE. I'm talking a 25 yard, 8 shot grouping of about 3 feet in diameter. Can't hit a damn thing!!! I'm not using gas checks, which I suspect is the problem. With 150gr Hornady projectiles, the Win94 is a tack driver at 50 yards! HAHA...

Now, I know someone is going to chime in here and call me out for not using the gas checks, accusing me of being stupid or something...

However, I've been reading about good results without them... If the velocities are kept low... Do you guys think it's anything more than just lowering the charge? I heard 30-30 doesn't need the GC if kept around 1100...

Has anyone had good results without them? Is there a work around?
 
If you're using a bullet designed to take a gas check without a gas check, you certainly will have poor accuracy.

You should be able to go faster than 1100 fps using plain based bullets properly sized and lubricated.
 
greg11 said:
My turn...

I'm hand casting 170gr lead flat nose bullets. I'm putting 29 grains of H335 under them and my accuracy is TERRIBLE. I'm talking a 25 yard, 8 shot grouping of about 3 feet in diameter. Can't hit a damn thing!!! I'm not using gas checks, which I suspect is the problem. With 150gr Hornady projectiles, the Win94 is a tack driver at 50 yards! HAHA...

Now, I know someone is going to chime in here and call me out for not using the gas checks, accusing me of being stupid or something...

However, I've been reading about good results without them... If the velocities are kept low... Do you guys think it's anything more than just lowering the charge? I heard 30-30 doesn't need the GC if kept around 1100...

Has anyone had good results without them? Is there a work around?
Click to expand...

what appears to be Shot gun grouping (shooting lead from a rifle) is usually a sign of being to high a velocity

the speed a powder burns also plays a role

pressure also plays a role ( peek as well as how fast it rises)

undersized bullets will also do a shot gun pattern

I would not be to shocked if you checked the speed of your bullets at they were around 2100 fps or more

if you used the same loads an used gas checked bullets you could put them easily on a letter sized sheet of paper at 100yds( with iron sights)
 
sunray said:
"...neck sizing your brass only..." Lever actions require FL sizing.
Click to expand...

Can't agree with that statement.
My old worn out 336 had well over 7500 rounds down the pipe of neck sized only brass.

The many reliability issues and it's final terminal death was due to the crappy company that makes the rifle, not the neck sizing.

Crimping is a must through ;)
 
greg11 said:
My turn...

I'm hand casting 170gr lead flat nose bullets. I'm putting 29 grains of H335 under them and my accuracy is TERRIBLE. I'm talking a 25 yard, 8 shot grouping of about 3 feet in diameter. Can't hit a damn thing!!! I'm not using gas checks, which I suspect is the problem. With 150gr Hornady projectiles, the Win94 is a tack driver at 50 yards! HAHA...

Now, I know someone is going to chime in here and call me out for not using the gas checks, accusing me of being stupid or something...

However, I've been reading about good results without them... If the velocities are kept low... Do you guys think it's anything more than just lowering the charge? I heard 30-30 doesn't need the GC if kept around 1100...

Has anyone had good results without them? Is there a work around?
Click to expand...

If you're only shooting 50 yards, why not try reduced loads with the soupcan mould? With 7 Gr of Bullseye, I am getting better than quarter-sized groups at 50 with my 336.

I'm still working out a load for my hunting bullets which are the Lee 170 Gr boollits that take a gas check. I'm running 32 Grs of RL15 now and accuracy is not so good.
 
Eagleye said:
....While it is true that you must FL size for leverguns...
Click to expand...

Not true. You don't have to FL size, however you really should segregate your brass and assign it to one rifle for best results.

I've got a couple of Win94's and a Marlin 336 in .30 WCF as well as a 94 rifle in .32-40 and a carbine in 38-55 and none of them have been FL sized for years - and your brass just flat out lasts longer...


blake
 
OEM said:
If you're only shooting 50 yards, why not try reduced loads with the soupcan mould? With 7 Gr of Bullseye, I am getting better than quarter-sized groups at 50 with my 336.

I'm still working out a load for my hunting bullets which are the Lee 170 Gr boollits that take a gas check. I'm running 32 Grs of RL15 now and accuracy is not so good.
Click to expand...

Hey guys... I decided to make up some blue dot loads... 11 grains closed groups up significantly, from 3 foot circles at 25 yards, down to 8 inch group.

I dropped it down to 8 grains of BD and am now able to hold an inch or so at 25 yards. Further load refinement will likely yield improvements...

I'm addicted to my Winchester 94. It's such a joy to shoot. And with home cast bullets, and 8 grains of blue dot, I can plink for about $0.10 (THAT'S RIGHT, TEN CENTS!!!) a round... MUHAHAHA...

If I ever want a hunting round for the 30-30 I'll just use Hornady bullets, as they has been very accurate in my rifle out to 100+ yards with 30 grains of H335.
 
Welcome to the joys of shooting on the cheap. I've been doing it for awhile and it allows the little ones to shoot daddy's "big" guns without fear too. :)

Do you need to adjust your sights for full-power rounds?
 
Much better at 31.5gr imr4895, only a few back out primers, but lot less back out, and groups really nice at 50meters

Going to try 32gr next.
 
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