Savage 340/Stevens 325 30-30

J

Johnny_Zanni

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Anyone have experience handloading for one? I read that they are a pretty weak action because of using only 1 locking lug so you have to keep the loads mild. What has the experience with you guys been like?
 
My dad has one that I load for (a Stevens 325) and I load full power 30-30 rounds for it and it's never shown signs of problems. My go-to load for it is 28gr of H4895 under a 170gr Speer deep curl flat nose seated to the cannalure. The 30-30 cartridge is pretty low pressure to start with at only 42,000psi if memory serves or about 2/3 that of a 308 Win. The load I use isn't at max pressure but the gun is designed to handle and (supposedly) proof tested at least at the max pressure of the cartridge according to SAAMI so I don't see why it wouldn't handle any 30-30 load under the rated max. If you are trying to hotrod a 30-30 and turn it into a 308 I really wouldn't want to use a 325/340 as the platform to do so though.

If in doubt, have it checked out by a (real) gunsmith.
 
Your rifle is adequately strong the .30-30 brass design will fail before the gun. Having said that I messed around with several over the years and the "better performance" options are: shoot Hornady Leverevolution .30-30 or have it reamed to .30-30 AI. NOTE: the mag will not work with the .30-30 AI so it will become a single shot. I resolved to shoot factory(any brand) 150 grain soft points in mine.

Darryl
 
madtrapper143 said:
Your rifle is adequately strong the .30-30 brass design will fail before the gun. Having said that I messed around with several over the years and the "better performance" options are: shoot Hornady Leverevolution .30-30 or have it reamed to .30-30 AI. NOTE: the mag will not work with the .30-30 AI so it will become a single shot. I resolved to shoot factory(any brand) 150 grain soft points in mine.

Darryl
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Thanks Darryl I just picked up some 140gr MonoFlex to load up. I tried some 125gr ballistic tips aswell. But the COAL is too long to fit the magazine. Almost like the 30-30AI, single shot it's fine. But not for the magazine or ejecting live rounds.
 
I load my 340C and my 340A to the max. I use leverevolution components and actually come out a bit faster than commerical. These guns have never let me down.
 
tbrwlf said:
I load my 340C and my 340A to the max. I use leverevolution components and actually come out a bit faster than commerical. These guns have never let me down.
Click to expand...

Picking up some Leverevolution powder tomorrow. Which bullets do you use the MonoFlex or FTX? How is the accuracy?


Also to add, for being a rifle that is 60ish years old. The bore looks like it's brand new!
 
I have a 325C and am getting a AI reamer.....

things to think about!

I've read really good things about the 125gr Nosler BT and the 125SierraPH. I think the light TTSX's would be overkill.

the Mag length appears to be limiting for "Heavy for Caliber" cast bullets.
 
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