Lee Loader .30-30 IMR3031 guidance

nelly

nelly

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G'day, folks.

I used to reload .45ACP a long time ago, but lost the time / space / interest, and got rid of my stuff.

A beloved relative passed away, recently, and the day he died, a Ruger-Marlin 336 that my wife had put me on a waitlist for, turned up at our LGS.

I want to reload .30-30 for that rifle, with a Lee Loader ('cause I'm odd, like that).

So, in addition to the Lee Loader, I have obtained a pound of IMR3031, and some 150GR Jacketed round-nose projectiles.

Now, looking at the data card that came with the Lee Loader, they don't even list 3031 for a 150GR projectile(?). IMR website suggests starting at 28.7gr and max load 30.5gr propellant for this projectile mass.

I just weighed a scoop of 3031, and admittedly I need to practice getting consistent dips, but it was around 26gr propellant in the 1.9cc dipper that came with the Lee Loader kit.

I realise that the dippers are "conservative" in the load they throw, but am I going to be better off getting a larger dipper? I was hoping to not have to weigh every charge out, and be able to "cowboy reload" once practiced with a dipper, and only weight every several charges for consistency.

Not looking for hunting loads at present, but was hoping to keep it simple with the slow tool. Is a 26-ish grain charge going to be an ok plinking load, or is that amount of propellant just not enough?

Advice welcomed, please and thanks in advance!

I spent a few minute noodling around the forum, but was unable to find answers to my situation - apologies if I missed something that was already there.

Cheers,

Neal
 
The problem using a Lee Loader for a lever action is probably not a good idea. It only neck sizes the case and a lever action does not have the camming power as does a bolt action, you may run into chambering problems. The cases should be fl sized.
 
The chart in the Lee Book says the 1.9cc dipper holds 24.9gr of 3031. You'd need the 2.2cc dipper or make you own.
 
You can make your own dipper by attaching a handle to a casing of the volume you need.
Dipping powder can be pretty consistent with a bit of practice. I usually get 3-4 reloads before having to worry about bumping the shoulder back with a fl sizing die.
 
The Lee dipper set is usually under 20 bucks. As for their consistency, they do best with flake powders, then ball, then short extruded, then long extruded in that order. But is half a grain a big deal in light .30-30 plinking loads? IMO not really unless you're shooting for groups or at distance. As for your charge weight, that will get the bullets into the backstop just fine. Velocity will be low, probably under 2000 fps, but recoil will be mild and I doubt it will make enough pressure to fire form the cases. Actually I'll bet it doesn't.
 
supernova said:
The Lee dipper set is usually under 20 bucks. As for their consistency, they do best with flake powders, then ball, then short extruded, then long extruded in that order. But is half a grain a big deal in light .30-30 plinking loads? IMO not really unless you're shooting for groups or at distance. As for your charge weight, that will get the bullets into the backstop just fine. Velocity will be low, probably under 2000 fps, but recoil will be mild and I doubt it will make enough pressure to fire form the cases. Actually I'll bet it doesn't.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. So, you reckon that 1.9cc (24.9ish gr) would be safe potential undercharge, and not be a situation where there's too little powder in the case?
 
This is the same me, new name - Ergo, new nelly is the same nelly as was asking about lee loader and .30-30.

I just wanted to update that I was one of those old guys that got locked out, as I never updated my email that I first joined cgn with, and literally haven't accessed for more than a decade, AND, that despite all the knowledge support on this thread, I STILL haven't tried to do the lee loader thing for the Marlin.

Hopefully this year will be the first in a long time, where I don't have a relative passing away, and have some more time for "self care", as the kids might say.

Regards, all!
 
nelly said:
IMR website suggests starting at 28.7gr and max load 30.5gr propellant for this projectile mass.

I just weighed a scoop of 3031, and admittedly I need to practice getting consistent dips, but it was around 26gr propellant in the 1.9cc dipper that came with the Lee Loader kit.
Click to expand...
just catching up here
but imo with that dipper and 3031 you are still in the safe zone for fill volume

for comparison, Hodgdon site has good load data available, regular loads and reduced loads
although no listing for 3031 in 'reduced', take a look at other powders and compare the fill rates between regular and reduced to get an idea of what to look for with 3031

if that makes sense.....
 
boxhitch said:
just catching up here
but imo with that dipper and 3031 you are still in the safe zone for fill volume

for comparison, Hodgdon site has good load data available, regular loads and reduced loads
although no listing for 3031 in 'reduced', take a look at other powders and compare the fill rates between regular and reduced to get an idea of what to look for with 3031

if that makes sense.....
Click to expand...
Thanks for the thoughts. As mentioned, hopefully THIS is the summer I get to spend some time "baking", as I like to call it.

N
 
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