Looking for info and tips on 30-30 ammo

[Aabradsh]

Hey guys

I just picked up a beauty Winchester 94, in 30-30. I already hand load for most of my other rifles, and have for years now, but have never loaded for something that is used in a tubular magazine.

I’m assuming you have to crimp. I would likely have planned to just seat bullets so the cannalure lines up with the case mouth and then crimped in place, unless anyone has other suggestions.

There’s also the fact that 30-30 is some of the cheapest centre fire ammo you can buy, so I may just save myself the trouble of getting into another cartridge and shoot factory loads. What have people had the best luck with? Given the expected accuracy of these rifles, is it worth tuning a hand load or buying “premium” factory ammo, or should I lust load up with the old faithful CoreLokt 170gr and be done?

Any suggestions or tips would be handy. Thank you!

 

[45C]

I just ordered some leverlution powder and 160 g ftx.
Should be the cat's meow.

200 rounds for $180, ya can't go wrong.

 

[Alex McKr]

How much shooting do you plan on doing with your .30-30? That will pretty much determine whether it's worth it to reload, or not. For those bullets lacking a cannelure, the Lee Factory Crimp die is a good alternative.
The 170-grain Corelokt bullet is always a good choice for the .30-30. Reliable and gets the job done.

 

[NaviDave]

Based on my research, 150gr flat points. Win 94's don't feed FTX bullets properly. 170 drops a lot faster and might not mushroom as well.

And to think I traded two SKS's for a post 64 model a couple of years ago.

 

[yomomma]

I cast for it and it excels...

 

[reb]

The 170 gr soft point is a great bullet for the 30 30 in fp or round nose.
Jethunter makes a great 165 gr hard cast gc for the 30 30.

 

[MiG25]

I use 170gr Hornady's, WLR primers, and a max load of 3031. I don't crimp but don't fill the magazine, never had a problem as I think it is spring pressure from a full mag that causes bullets to telescope into the case.

Put a peep sight on it and you may be surprised at thw accuracy.

 

[Ganderite]

I had a MArlin and still have aM94. Much more accurate than a SKS.

Never seen a deer debate the merits of 150 vs 170.

 

[jeff270]

I never needed to crimp the 30-30 until I ran out of Speer and Hornady bullets.
The Sierras I could get were marked .307'' but measured .306''+
So loose i removed the expander ball and added some crimp.
That kept them solid enough.

 

[time4t]

......

 

[nowarningshot]

Its a small case, and never going to be hotrodded, either in factory or handmade. Handload it if you see a economical advantage, much like 12 ga target loads.

 

[emerson]

Leverevolution got my great velocities without pressure problems.