Heavier bullet weight in 30-30

[benelli one]

I was wonderin if it is possible to "safely" load a heavier bullet in a 30-30 round. Lets say a 220grainer. Most of the load data goes up to a 170-180grain bullet. Has anyone tried this? Will it work? If you have what was your receipe? Ultimately, i would like to shoot a heavier gas checked cast bullet from my 30-30. Thanks.

 

[Seabass]

I suppose you could. If its for a tubular magiaize you'd have to find a safe round or flat nose bullet of desired weight. The second hurdle would be COL, (cartridge overall length) making sure that your longer bullet is stuffed in the case enough so that it would cycle though the action. In order to get the bullet crimped wherever you want it get a "Lee factory crimp" in 30-30, then you can crimp the bullet anywhere in the case to achive proper COL. Sorry, I don't have any loads offhand, just start slow and work up.

Cheers

Seabass

 

[stocker]

bo: I shoot the RCBS180FNGC in 30-30's (and other cartridges). Cast from W/W + 2%Sn the finished bullets run 197 grains. They shoot very well and are good hunting bullets. Not sure about heavier bullets, whether you can push them fast enough to be stable from that case or if overall length would be a problem as Seabass mentioned. Be interesting to try though if you can find a suitable design.

 

[Silverado]

There was an article in Handloader Magazine some time ago about heavy for calibre bullets in the 30-30... I don't recall when precisely, but maybe a google search would help?

 

[sunray]

They would be too long. Max OAL is 2.550".

 

[Levi Garrett]

Would stick with 180 gr rn cast or 173 gr gc lyman drops

 

[grouch]

Depends on the rifle - If it's a long enough action or a single shot, I've had very decent accuracy with both 311299(205gr) and 311284(225gr) with 1:12" twist 30 - 30, using 14gr of H110 or 20 to 24gr of WC845, no sign of pressure.

 

[mbogo3]

Duplicating a .303 Savage.............................I loaded 30gr Win 748 and 180gr RN use at own risk...............Harold

 

[Why not?]

I have loaded cast 210 gr bullets from my Lyman 311284 mold. Just a quick zip with a bastard cut file to make the nose flat, seat it ahead of 25 gr of IMR 4895 and go!

Mild, easy to shoot and very accurate in two 30-30s we have tried it in.

Ted

 

[Seabass]

Or buy a 35 Rem?

 

[John Y Cannuck]

nei makes a number of excellent molds for the 308/311 caliber. I have their 220 grain round flat nose. What a fun bullet. Cast dead soft over ½ to 3/4 ths of a grain of bullseye it is almost silent from the 24 inch barrel...a loud pop from the 20 inch barrels. And it gives the power of a snubby .38 special 158 gr round nose load. I have eliminated a number of problems with these silent loads. And this 220 grain gas checked bullet over 38 grains of h450 gives near 2000 fps and is a killer of even large game....but you need a hot primer with this powder. Cast performance bullets make so many wonderful .308 to .311/2 hard cast bullets, you just want to test them all. And ol’kelly brost owner and honcho will send you a mixed sample for free!
the 30-30 spells versatility with today’s powders and bullets....all we have to do is stop thinking like the old days...with all the old ideas about brush guns and loads....this is now a 21 century cartridge!

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/3030varmint.htm

 

[todbartell]

if you need more penetration than a 170 gr soft point, try a 150 gr Barnes X flat nose

 

[Ganderite]

You can shoot almost anything, so long as you single load it.

But - sooner or later a round won't go bang! Then the challenge is getting the long round out of the rifle.

read below....

 

[Why not?]

Right! Seat the 311284 deep enough so it extracts and ejects, and there is just enough room for the 25 gr of 4895.

Ted