Reloading for 30 30 Marlin
- Thread starter powdergun
- Start date
My Marlin's load is a 150 gr Sierra Flat Nose (bullet is designed for 30-30). 33 grains of H4895. OAL 2.525". Consistant 1 1/2" groups at 100 M. I use a Redding FL sizing die set and crimp with a LEE crimp die. The bullet feeds flawlessy and chambers easy. I have heard that some lever action rifles don't feed certain bullets well however I have not personally experienced it. Advice: Full length size only.
I generally use IMR 3031 and either 150 or 170 grain bullet made for the .30-30 (brand doesn't matter). There should be no need for a small base die set, and again any brand of dies should work fine. You should crimp the bullets into the cases (which implies that you need bullets that have a cannelure), and that you need to trim all cases to the same length. Your rifle should feed any of the standard .30-30 bullets without a problem.
You might also want to try cast bullets; some good examples to try are the Lee 150 or 170 grain Flat Nose bullets. With a gas check they can be driven to almost the same velocity as jacketed.
You might also want to try cast bullets; some good examples to try are the Lee 150 or 170 grain Flat Nose bullets. With a gas check they can be driven to almost the same velocity as jacketed.
The Lyman cast bullet #31041 is kinda the std. in the 30/30, a 173gr. flat point gas check, can be loaded to the same vel. and less pressure then factory loads or handloads using jacketed bullets. M.T. Chambers and others make and market this bullet and the cost is approx. 1/2 of the cost of jacketed, my best result with this bullet was with 35 grs. of W-748 and nearly 2300fps. Accuracy in my Browning Trad. hunter was good, even at that speed, but the same bullet produced sub. 1/2" groups, with my .300 whisper and .308 Benchguns, albeit at 1600fps.
+1 what Ben said, the old 311041 is the bullet all other cast bullets are compared to. I have a hollow point version and mine hover around 1" at 100 Meters in my Marlin or Winchester. Both rifles love the cast bullets sized to .311 and IMR 3031 but that depends on your rifle. Over all length is critical as in don't go over it or it will not feed and no pointy bullets, other than that giver.
