So I have a savage 340 30-30 that I would like to load up some hand loads for. It has open sights and I never shoot over 100 yards. I have some 195 grain Sierra pro hunters that I would like to use. My load books only have data up to 180 grain for 30-30. Can someone help me out with a starting point for 195 grain pills?
30-30 with 195 grain Sierra pro hunter?
- Thread starter k_southman
- Start date
Stuck "195gr 30-30" into Google and found this:
http://www.castbullet.com/shooting/heart.htm
Not that I would recommend trying it but it's a starting point.
http://www.castbullet.com/shooting/heart.htm
Not that I would recommend trying it but it's a starting point.
I read that. He is using cast bullets.
Yes, I read that. Cast data is usually more picky with lower pressures and lower velocities. That means a smaller number of potential powders can be used. That doesn't mean the same data can't be used for jacketed bullets. I've used cast data with jacketed bullets on many occasions and they always work great. I did it for reduced loads but it can be done with full power loads as well.
My concern in this case would be the data he presents is for very hot loads. Assuming a 20" barrel, Quickload estimates almost 53k psi in a 42k psi cartridge.
Quickload shows a load of 25.0gr of Varget under a 195gr bullet will produce about 35k psi and almost 1800fps. I have no idea how this load would work in real life but with an estimated pressure of only 35k psi there is a margin of error in there in case it spikes a little.
Nice rifle. They tend to drive tacks with the right load. However, 195's are .30-06, .300 Mag etc. bullets. Cast or not. Way too long for a .30-30. Sierra doesn't currently list a 195 either.
However, I have 190 grain data in my old Lyman book. That'd be close enough. Accuracy load is with IMR4350. 30.0 1791 fps to 33.0(C) 1955 fps. Let me know if you want the rest.
The cast bullet heart attack guy is counting the gas check and lube as part of the weight. Isn't done.
However, I have 190 grain data in my old Lyman book. That'd be close enough. Accuracy load is with IMR4350. 30.0 1791 fps to 33.0(C) 1955 fps. Let me know if you want the rest.
The cast bullet heart attack guy is counting the gas check and lube as part of the weight. Isn't done.
That 340 Savage action is very strong. Equal to just about any other high intensity action out there.
Your post brings back some old memories.
I was once the proud owner of a Martini that had been rebarreled with a cheap at the time surplus in the grease replacement 03-A3 barrel. Of course it had to be modified to clean up the existing chamber and threaded to fit the Martini action which was picked up as a complete action only and needed a butt and forestock fitted,
The 03-A3 barrel was a two groove Smith Corona manufactured barrel.
Martini actions are very tough and strong, not as tough as your 340 though.
Once the rifle was up and shooting, we wanted to go to heavier than available bullets. It was being used to hunt elk and black bear in the heavy bush alongside rivers and in swamps.
The barrel ended up at 21 inches which should be pretty close to what you have.
We went with CIL 200 grain flat base spire points.
The powder we used was IMR 4320 and we finally settled on 30 grains because that was all we could stuff into the chamber and still retain enough neck tension.
From the amount of bullet drop between 100 and 300 yards, we felt that we were getting close to 2000 fps but maybe slightly less. Not bad, Pressures were not even evident. The Martini had obviously been converted to a 303 Brit by its markings and extractor which had to be filled with weld and recut to accept the 30-30 cartridge rim.
We started with 25 grains of IMR4320 and worked up from there. That was a devastating little rifle. Awesomely balanced and easily carried. It took several White Tails that so love those thick conditions, two moose and one elk over a two year period. None of them knew what hit them. That heavy bullet just expanded as it was supposed to and carried right on through. None of the animals taken were shot at more than 75 yards. It was almost the perfect tree stand rifle and all together, including sights cost less than a hundred dollars.
It was an absolute bear to shoot from the bench though. Not bad out of the tree stand or from a field position.
Cartridges intended for Model 94 rifles are not suggested for use with this load. It is relatively high pressure with a lot of felt recoil. Lighter lever rifles, like the 94 don't really like to be punished in this manner.
I also have a 340 that shoots very well with everything from 110 grain bullets on up to 170 grain bullets. You have peeked my curiosity and I will have to slate this for a spring project.
Hope this helps.
Your post brings back some old memories.
I was once the proud owner of a Martini that had been rebarreled with a cheap at the time surplus in the grease replacement 03-A3 barrel. Of course it had to be modified to clean up the existing chamber and threaded to fit the Martini action which was picked up as a complete action only and needed a butt and forestock fitted,
The 03-A3 barrel was a two groove Smith Corona manufactured barrel.
Martini actions are very tough and strong, not as tough as your 340 though.
Once the rifle was up and shooting, we wanted to go to heavier than available bullets. It was being used to hunt elk and black bear in the heavy bush alongside rivers and in swamps.
The barrel ended up at 21 inches which should be pretty close to what you have.
We went with CIL 200 grain flat base spire points.
The powder we used was IMR 4320 and we finally settled on 30 grains because that was all we could stuff into the chamber and still retain enough neck tension.
From the amount of bullet drop between 100 and 300 yards, we felt that we were getting close to 2000 fps but maybe slightly less. Not bad, Pressures were not even evident. The Martini had obviously been converted to a 303 Brit by its markings and extractor which had to be filled with weld and recut to accept the 30-30 cartridge rim.
We started with 25 grains of IMR4320 and worked up from there. That was a devastating little rifle. Awesomely balanced and easily carried. It took several White Tails that so love those thick conditions, two moose and one elk over a two year period. None of them knew what hit them. That heavy bullet just expanded as it was supposed to and carried right on through. None of the animals taken were shot at more than 75 yards. It was almost the perfect tree stand rifle and all together, including sights cost less than a hundred dollars.
It was an absolute bear to shoot from the bench though. Not bad out of the tree stand or from a field position.
Cartridges intended for Model 94 rifles are not suggested for use with this load. It is relatively high pressure with a lot of felt recoil. Lighter lever rifles, like the 94 don't really like to be punished in this manner.
I also have a 340 that shoots very well with everything from 110 grain bullets on up to 170 grain bullets. You have peeked my curiosity and I will have to slate this for a spring project.
Hope this helps.
Are you planning on hunting with that load? I would be concerned about poor expansion with a bullet intended for higher velocities. maybe you could test it in a big water jug or something. I use the plastic 18 liter water bottles for testing.
Yes 1-12 twist. 195 and even 210 have worked for others at reduced velocity. Thought I would give it a go.
My first thought was also that you might find the 195 too long for it. I doubt there would be any trouble in the shooting aspect of it, but the length of the magazine would be your limiting factor on how long you could go. My 340 just barely clears with the hornady leverevolutions, which are pretty stubby.
