Plinking 30-30 Win?

The Lee hand held press shown above would probably be a decent solution. I actually have one that I bought used at a gun show for $10-$20 dollars. I use it for decapping, but it looks like it could probably resize brass. It might be a bit of a workout though :)

Chris.
 
NHunter said:
plinking....with a 30 30 WIN...? Maybe you could hit a car door at 75 yards......but what a waste of time and money.....;)(
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Your funny, even with cast and trail boss 100yd tin cans shooting is fun. You never had one or your a very bad shot.
 
Cheapest 30-30 ammo I have seen lately is $34 plus tax at inter-surplus so about $2 a round. Reloading is the way to go. You don’t need a big fancy press to make good ammunition. One of the Lee kits would get you started. I cast my own bullets so that cuts the price down even more.
 
BCOD said:
So I just bought a pre 64 Winchester 94 off EE that I am pretty excited about and now I’m looking into feeding it. Is there such thing as affordable “plinking” 30-30 ammunition or am I looking at $2 per round hunting ammunition? I don’t reload so factory ammunition is a must. I’m not looking to put 1000’s of round through it, just have some fun.
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Buy a cheap loading setup would be you're best solution, ex: Lee loader, scale, and some inexpensive copper plated bullets, primers, Lyman loading manual etc. Would pay for itself in no time Vs expensive factory stuff.
 
Potashminer said:
As mentioned above - not so sure if those type loaders work for Win 94 lever action - maybe with new brass or for a few reloading times only? They only neck size the case. I used that Lee Loader system to load hundreds, maybe thousands, of 308 Win for a bolt action rifle - back in the day. Many hundreds done on floor in living room - hard plastic head hammer and a piece of 2x4 on the carpet. But biggest advantage is that kit contains absolutely everything (except hammer) you need to do basic reloads that go "bang" - and then if like me, will start adding more gizmos, until not using much of it any more.

As I remember, need to use new brass, or brass from ammo fired in your rifle, to use those Lee Loaders - if you buy somebody else's brass, usually have to Full Length Re-size or Small Base Re-size - somehow - else good chance they will not fit into your rifle.
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Yes, they are best when only used for one rifle
 
bibatoad said:
Buy a cheap loading setup would be you're best solution, ex: Lee loader, scale, and some inexpensive copper plated bullets, primers, Lyman loading manual etc. Would pay for itself in no time Vs expensive factory stuff.
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For sure, this! A beam scale and a trickler was very first items that I got after I was using that Lee Loader for a while - and they were well used previously to coming to me - gave me a lot more choices about powder and bullets to use, than the scoop thing in that kit did. But the basic Lee Loader got me started - read the cards and papers in there and follow those directions!!! Then a used RCBS Uniflow powder measure. Next things that I got was a single leverage RCBS press, shell holder for 308 Win and store bought new set of RCBS Full Length Size and Bullet Seat dies. Some years later into case length trimmer, then swagers for military crimped in primer pockets (two sizes) - and it did not really ever end. I bought an RCBS Chargemaster Lite last summer - after 45 years of reloading cartridges and shooting stuff with my hand loads.

The bullet thing for a Winchester 94 is a bit unusual - .308" diameter for 30-30 - but because of the tube magazine, cartridges are lined up bullet nose to primer in the magazine - so is usually recommended to get flat end, or at least blunt Round Nose bullets - typically do NOT want to use even lead tip spitzers - although you could, if you only have one round in the magazine at a time. I read that original 30-30 was 160 grain bullets. Most common ammo that I see to buy is either 150 grain or 170 grain. If you hand load, can use about whatever you can find - 100 grain to 180 grain or so, and as mentioned above - many times cast bullets can be used - made whatever weight that you have molds for. But casting bullets, sizing and lubing is about its own rabbit hole - not quite as complex as reloading, but still end up with a pile of stuff, once you get into it.
 
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BCOD said:
So I don't hate the idea of reloading, the issue is space. I live in a tiny basement suite in Metro Vancouver and space is in short supply. Is this something I could do at a kitchen table? Maybe store everything in a bin in the closet?
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YES ,,,,,,,, small place is possible. You can bolt the press to a peice of plywood ( 2 ft. sq. +/-)
then use carpender clamps to hold down the plywood on kitcken table. All the rest stored in a plastic bin
& removed to the table when loading. Just load a few times a yr. , so set up time is reduced.
I do most of my loading ( perminent location) in winter. Key here is to have lots of cases .
 
I mean you could get a single stage lee c mount for 25-30$ used. Mount it to plywood to clamp to your table. Get a scale and you don't really need a powder measure as you can just use a spoon. I use a Long DQ blizzard spoon.

But press and powder handling is one thing. But rifle you also need to consider cleaning, and case trimming.

Can get the lee primer pocket cleaner and chamfer tool. And case trimmer the drill trimmer with guide length rod.

Cleaning you can just do say a PB jar, dish soap and lemi shine and get good enough clean.
 
Another good option as others have mentioned is down loading a wee bit and cast bullets.Lot's of fun and a little cheaper.As far as limited space, a mechanics type tool box on
wheels is compact enough .Your press on top and all components below and in the drawers.When not in use roll it out of the way and into the closet or a corner.

Dave G
 
Cast reloading is an about as cheap as it gets for a 30-30.
Even campro/Barry bullets are reasonable.

Factory ammo is crazy now to go out a play.
 
If your looking for cast lead bullets, I can recommend Prairie Projectiles in Stettler AB, he produces a quality product in cast and powder coated bullets. Be advised it is been my experience that in the Winchester 94, gas checked bullets prove a bit more accurate than plain cast lead bullets.
 
Desjard said:
Anyone got a good load for reloading 3030?
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depends what you are intending to shoot at.

My absolute favourite and very accurate paper punching load up to 100 m, is 10 grs Unique over Campro .308, 110 grs. bullets intended for 30M1.
 
BCOD said:
So I don't hate the idea of reloading, the issue is space. I live in a tiny basement suite in Metro Vancouver and space is in short supply. Is this something I could do at a kitchen table? Maybe store everything in a bin in the closet?
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Yes, and yes. Your press needs to mounted in a position which is as solid as possible, but that doesn't mean you can't use a kitchen table. If a reloading press is bolted - for example - to a platform made from two pieces of laminated plywood, with the assistance of a couple of clamps the plywood reloading press platform can then be (temprarily) secured to the kitchen table. Imperfect, yes, but that is how many people do it.
 
For goodness sake, Lee and probably others make stands, nothing beyond that is required. K.I.S.S

90688LeeReloadingStand.jpg
 
MRP said:
Your funny, even with cast and trail boss 100yd tin cans shooting is fun. You never had one or your a very bad shot.
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Howdy, yes I bought one used in 1975 for $75.
If anyone can shoot one while standing free hand, and hit a pop can at even 75 yards using the factory sights, I would sure like to see proof...
 
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