[Devon]

Ok, I'd like to try building some light loads for my 30-30 to carry while hunting in case I run across rabbits or squirrels. I've heard something about using a #1 or #0 buckshot over a .22 case full of unique. Can someone clarify this for me? I'd use the full house deer rounds but I'm afraid I'd have to scoop up the critter with a stick and a spoon. I have available unique and blue dot pistol powders. The gun show is this weekend and will pick up the buckshot if I can figure out what size I need. My last question is, will I need some type of case filler for the pistol powder?

Thanks,
Devon

[mothernatureson]

try some cast lead bullets 115 gr or so. I like the Trail Boss powder and load for about 950 fps, nice shooter load and plenty accurate out of both of my rifles. Make sure to get the Load data from IMR for Trail Boss loads. have fun

mothernatureson

[35 Whelen]

I've not used such loads in a 30-30, but recently experimented with 77 gr. lead bullets for 32 ACP in my 308. I at first tried some of #00 buck, (#0 is too small) which I ran through a .309" cast bullet sizer. I used 3-4 grs. of Red Dot, but accuracy, even at 25 yds., was bad. So, I tried the 77 gr. bullets and with 2 grs. or Red Dot, I got really good accuracy of around 1" at 25 yds. NO filler was necessary or recommended. I'm sure you could use Unique, but I figured Red Dot would be better since it has a faster burning rate and seems to be relatively position insensitive. You might also ask at The Cast Boolit Forum (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/) . Those guys over there are experts on the subject.
Good luck,
35W

[ants]

The Lyman handbook lists light loads.

From one reloader to another: Do not put any faith in the crap you hear, like 'fill the case with Unique'.
Put your faith in published loads. Lyman has a bunch of them.

[lgbloader]

Hello Devan,

I use 165 gr lfp with 7.8 grains of Trail Boss and it is light recoil with super accuracy.

*SCRAT, what do you think, Mate.

Cheers...

[qajaq59]

For practice I use 9 grains of Unique behind a 165 grain cast bullet. Very accurate out to 50 yards.

But.... Your sights will be way off if they're presently set up for a fast moving jacketed bullet. Consequently, I'm not sure it would do you much good in the field.

[Der Verge]

Isn't 30-30 slow enough to begin with?:barf:

[NuJudge]

Here's a lot of 170gr Flat Nose reduced loads:
http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

[sargenv]

While the 30-30 is relatively slow, a 170 gr bullet moving at 2000 fps still produces enough punch to take down deer at woods ranges. It is still way too powerful for small game at that kind of power range.

I use Lasercast 165's or Xtrema 150 gr plated with about 8 gr of Trail boss for a velocity of about 1150 fps give or take. Fun plinking loads.