[SteelyNirvana]

I loaded some 30-30's using 150 gr RN over 37.1 gr of 748. I have seen this load published as a max load in several places but noticed it was with Hornady brass. The brass I am using Winchester. Is this load safe to shoot or is it time to invest and a bullet puller and back off a bit?

[Shoney]

Either you have not read any loading manuals, or you have not understood those you have read. You work up loads by starting at minimum or at least 10% below max. Starting at the max if foolhardy.

Is the load safe?????????? Maybe in some weapons, then maybe not in others. Only firing it will tell, and I do not recommend that, unless you have loaded at the starting load and incrementally worked up to the max, checking on pressure signs as you go.

[Harve Curry]

Lymans 47th edtion shows start load of 33.8gr, max is 38.5gr a compessed powder load. With the variables you list your 37.1 load is questionable?

[Mal H]

Shoney's first sentence may sound harsh, but he is absolutely correct.

Why in the world would you start at or above what is listed as a maximum load for that powder and bullet weight?

Speer lists 37.0 grains of 748 as a max (and compressed) load and they recommend a magnum primer for that powder.

... is it time to invest and a bullet puller and back off a bit?I would have to answer, yes. The rounds might be perfectly safe, but you apparently didn't arrive at that conclusion by way of usually safe reloading practices.

Of course, the firearm used makes a bit of difference as well. If you're using a vintage Winchester 94, then you've got some pulling to do. If you're using a Ruger No.1, for example, then I would give 'em a try, but that doesn't negate the call for better reloading practices.

[SteelyNirvana]

What made me want to try this load is that I saw it printed in Shooting Times about two months ago (This issue with the new Mossberg lever action). It is listed as a max load in the Hornady manual. However I read in reloader magazine a few issues ago that when 748 came out there were published loads as much as 39.0 grains with the 150 gr bullet. I started to question the load when I noticed in the ST article and in the Hornady book that they were using Hornady cases and not Winchester. I do know that diffrent brands of cases have diffrent voulumes that may affect presure. I am using a Marlin 336 BTW.

[Mal H]

How many rounds did you load?

[SSN Vet]

when 748 came out there were published loads as much as 39.0 grains with the 150 gr bullet

the underlying assumption here is that the W748 that you buy on the shelf today is the same as the W748 that was on the shelf when it first came out.

Bad assumption (imho)

I've read several articles about newly manufactured lots of powder being faster burning than the powder used to be way back "in the day"

Newer load manuals are likely the most reliable.

Personally, I start a little over the published start load and very rarely increase to the max.

the definition of a "good" load is what groups well from your rifle, not what shoots well in the gun rag writers rifle.

good luck and be safe

[SteelyNirvana]

How many rounds did you load?

Only five. I think with everything said it is time to buy a pullet puller and never make this mistake again.

[Mal H]

Assuming the lesson is learned, I might be going against conventional wisdom with the following. Since you didn't grossly overload the rounds, and with only 5 loaded, and considering that you have a very strong rifle in the Marlin 336, I would shoot one round. See what the case and primer look like, check for any difficulty in extraction, etc. If all appears to be ok, then shoot the remainder - it sure as heck beats pulling the bullets. If any signs of overpressure appear, then pull the remaining 4.

[steve4102]

Keep the five rounds, no need to pull the bullets just yet.

Load several more rounds starting with the suggested min. and increasing .5gr at a time working up to your 37.1gr loads. If all is well when your reach your 37.1 you are clear to fire them.

[Mal H]

^^

... an even better idea. ;)

[zxcvbob]

Steve beat me to it. Your loads are probably fine, but you don't know that. Set them aside and work up to 37.1. If you get there, fine. If not, you can pull them apart later and no harm.

[ants]

...and never, ever, ever trust any loads you read in a gun magazine.


I worked at a magazine publishing house back in 1985. More than half the articles were written by free lance writers who were paid by the word, then the editorial staff cut the articles down as necessary to fit available space as the art staff mocked up the new edition. A new edition is due every month, producing a mad dash every 30 days to meet the deadline, whether the articles are good or not. The free lance writers were the same ones who wrote for Western Gardening, Knitting and Crocheting Monthly, Hot Rod, Soap Opera Digest, and all the other 2000 titles on the newstands. They know less than you do about the subject.

Never, ever trust anything you read in a gun magazine. Buy honest-to-God reloading books and manuals.

[ants]

For Win 748 powder, the Lyman 48th Edition lists:

150g Hornady RN#3035 at 2.540" overall length, starting load 32.0 grains, max load 36.5 grains.

Please be cautious with your 37.1 grain load.

[Harve Curry]

Hmmm, the maximum load has decreased by 2.0 grains from the 47th to the 48th edition!