non lever 30-30

hoytcanon said:
You CAN achieve 2500... quite easily actually. I have been playing with single shot .30/30's for years... I just love the .30/30 case and wanted to maximize the ballistics for the round. I have a Ruger No.1-A and two Handi rifles, one is a BC with a 28" barrel and the other is a 158 barrel-stubbed with a 26" light contour. If you are seeking "antithesis" loads juxtaposed against the standard 170 grain flat nose of lever action fame, keep these concepts in mind; "light, pointy, LVR." Those criteria, will get you where you want to go. 38.5 gr. LVR with 150 Nosler BT'S are and admirable medium game load, with far more reach than most 94 shooter's would believe.

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Years back I did the same, and hunted with two rounds in my '94, both pointed. But, I came to realize that I didn't need it for where I hunt. But then I'm not using
a rifle that is designed for pointy bullets.
I suggest that if you are considering using the option, you look at the bullet manufacturers website, and select bullets that mushroom easily at the lower velocities. Remember that most of these bullets will be designed with the 308 class cartridge in mind.
 
Take a close look at the loads listed for the 150 grain, versus loads listed for the 130, and 110 grain bullets.

Note that they list equal or LESS powder as max under some of the lighter bullets.

To my evil unsafe mind, that means there is room for experimentation.

Given that they assume you are using a "weak" action, and you are using something stronger. Why they do this is a bit of a mystery.

Why would the max charge for a 130 grain (given space) be the same or less than, the max charge for the 150?

I asked!

Bruce Hogdon said they felt that charges above their max for the lighter bullet were (from memory) "not useful" ??????

BTW, I don't know if they still do, but the Hogdon folks used to answer letters personally.


EDIT, after posting this, I realized that it was many years ago when this took place. So, I went back to their site and checked. looks like it has been corrected at least so it's not so obvious.
 
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John Y Cannuck said:
I'd never use a 30-30 at 300 yards, and I have no use for pointy bullets in it myself... The rifles I use it in, I keep my shots under 200...
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I have never shot at an animal with a .30/30 beyond 200 yards either... but I have shot a couple right around 200 and a few more at 150+... in my mind there is nothing wrong with maximizing a cartridge... particularly one that interests you... remember, I am shooting platforms that lend themselves to this endeavor... In my 94's I shoot primarily cast bullets at lower velocity... not that there is anything wrong with double jacking spire points in a 94... they feed and eject just fine... but in the locations that I might carry a 94, there is little need for anything other than 165 HC RN's, which is mostly what I load... but single loading spire points in a falling block or break action single .30/30 is an awful lot of fun.

The point isn't to attempt to replicate. 308 ballistics with a lesser case... I have plenty of .308's... it is to enjoy the case in question.
 
I have used pointed bullets in two 30-30 rifles. First was a Savage 219 single shot and the other was an old Savage 99 lever action. First the lever action. Because the model 99 has a rotary magazine so you CAN use pointed bullets with no problems. The single shot model 219 will handle any 30 cal bullet you care to use. There are other concerns reguarding pointed bullets. First most pointed bullets are designed for 308 Win /30-06 velocities and some for 300 mag velocities. If you shoot heavy jacketed bullets in a slow 30-30 you may not get reliable bullet expansion. Older actions are NOT designed for high pressure loads. I have found that the 130 gr Hornady bullet loaded in the 30-30 shot well and even worked on a couple whitetail does. Don't try to turn your old 30-30 into a 308. Save your money and buy a good used 308.
 
LUTNIT said:
Make a dummy round and check the throat. My dads Savage 340 bolt has a throat meant for the short bullets loaded for lever ammo so a standard 150gr FMJ wouldn't chamber at all.
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I just bought $1000 worth of leverevolution 165 or 170, I am going to try to cycle em once I shake the flu.
 
For some reason you folks are fixated on Model 94 Winchesters or Marlins.

I have a 340 Savage bolt action that I get some very good velocities out of. Those loads would likely be disastrous in a Model 94 and maybe even the Marlin. I also have a Swiss straight pull converted with a sleeve to 30-30 and use the same loads in it that I use in the Savage.

With 39 grains of H335 over magnum primers and 150grn Hornady flat base spire points I am getting well over 2400fps according to my Chrony. DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT USING THIS IN A LEVER ACTION REPEATER. IT IS SAFE IN MY RIFLES AND BRASS LIFE IS OK.

I doubt that pressures are over 45,000psi but I don't have pressure testing equipment. The primers aren't flattened and there are no stretch marks on the cases. I have reloaded cases for the 340 Savage up to five times and stretching is minimal and don't require trimming.

Again, this load is safe in my rifles which are substantially stronger than any Model 94. Maybe even stronger than most Marlins. The Ruger No1 should be fine but I won't recommend this load for anybody's rifles other than my own.
 
A tad off topic, but the '94's strength is wildly under rated.

I used to stretch the 30-30 quite a bit. Pointed bullets, extra heavy bullets, lots of things. No, it's not a bolt gun, but it has a substantial safety margin that has I'm positive, saved my bacon more than once when I was playing with loads.

Best advice is to stay within the loads in the manual. That's the way to stay safe. I've gone beyond that a few times, it's mostly not worth it.

You also have to remember that the 30-30 has been around for over a century, so have some of the rifles so chambered, and I'm taking more than just lever guns here. What's safe in mine, may not be safe in yours, and vice versa.
 
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