[ChefJeff1]

If you could buy one powder to load jacketed bullets for the 30-30, what wuld it be? I'm looking at varget and Bl-c(2) and I've been using IMR 3031 but not very accurate. Thanks, Jeff

[James2]

Interesting. I have used 3031 for years in my 30-30 and find it to be just fine. This is a reminder that there are other factors involved.

[dakotasin]

i like 748 in the 30-30...

[Kernel]

H335 is perfect (so is 3031 in most guns). Ball-C would be good, too. Varget would be a poor choice. It's way too slow IMO.

[SteelyNirvana]

3031 has been great in my Marlin 336. 748 works good also.

[NCsmitty]

I have used IMR3031 with 150gr FP and H4895 with the 160gr Hornady FTX.
Typically, there are several good powders to choose from with the venerable old round.



NCsmitty

[qajaq59]

I use IMR 3031. Especially with cast bullets.

[ojibweindian]

I've been playing around with IMR 4064 and a 170 Core-Lokt. 29 grains of 4064 gives me a 2" group at 100 yards. I've also tried 33.5 grains of H380 with the same bullet. Pretty much 2" at 100 yards, as well. Not sure of the velocities, but I'm assuming both loads are leaving the 20" barrel of my 336 at roughly 1900 fps.

[Marlin 45 carbine]

Benchmark is good for 150gr and under slugs,

[THe Dove]

I use 29.7 gr of AA 2460 with my jacketed 150 gr boolits. Been shooting them for about 15 years now. No complaints.

The Dove

[The Bushmaster]

32 grains of W-748 under a Speer 170 grain Hotcore FN

[lgbloader]

I really like Reloader 7. 3031 is good too as is 748.
LGB

[GRIZ22]

I like 3031 but Accurate 2230 meters better as it is a ball powder.

[depoloni]

Wow... what I use is H-4895 pushing 150's - nobody else is using it? I've gotten great results. 34.0 grains in both my model 94 and my friend's marlin turned out to be accurate - it's at or near max I believe. Gives just up over 2260 velocity out of my buddy's slighty longer barrel, and around 2200+ out of mine give or take. MOA in mine when I have it scoped at least, the marlin often holds 5 just better than that.

[SSN Vet]

W-748 & rl-15

[ForneyRider]

Varget and 4064 have been great.

Also, try R15.

[DUCKNDAWG]

I use H 380

[ChefJeff1]

hanks for the choices. So is there a way to analyze my loading manuals and pick a powder to start other than trial and error (and the high road), not just for the 30-30 but for any caliber in gneral.

[Gadzooks Mike]

H-414

[X-Rap]

I use BL-C(2) with 110gr Speer HP bullets. It is primarily a truck gun and I use only this load. It will go into 2" at 100yds on a good day and my daughter just shot it for the first time ever and did about 1.5 at 50yds. She might take it lion hunting this winter and I suspect it will do quite well on the treed cat.
My prey has been limited to jacks and coyotes but it is plenty good for them.

[Kernel]

is there a way to analyze .. and pick a powder.. other than trial and error .. for any caliber

Yes. 40 years ago, Homer Powley developed a mathematical method based on basic thermodynamic principals. It’s commonly called a “Powley Computer” or Powley analysis. It’s not a substitute for trigger time, but it will help the handloader zero in on an appropriate powder, and keep you from wasting time with powders that are way too fast or slow.

Here’s a link to a free online version:

http://kwk.us/powley.html

[ArchAngelCD]

W748

[ChefJeff1]

Kernel, interesting program. It chose IMR 3031 and 28.7 grains. Is it only for IMR powder?

[flipajig]

im using imr 3031 and next year im looking at RL15

[SomeSmuck]

I've tried quite a few and H335 and Ramshot TAC are the better of them in my experience. Going to try IMR 4198 at some point, but H335 is the most accurate for me in testing out of my Marlin 336 SS

[GooseGestapo]

Reloader15.

I've used just about everything else over the last 40yrs, starting with IMR3031, IMR4198, and IMR4320 back in the late '60's.
I like BLC2 (duplicates Winchester factory 150's at 35.7gr) but can be loaded up to 37.5gr with 150gr bullets.
Also H4895, at 33.0gr, some lot's with 34.0gr with 150's.

But, neither will give velocity WITH peak accuracy like RL15 does with 150 and 170gr bullets.

I've found that 36.0gr of RL15 is superlative with the 125gr Sierra FNHP, and 37.5gr with the 130gr Speer FN. (yes, these are correct, the Sierra has most of the bullet below the cannulure, the Speer above the cannulure.... The Sierra can't be seated over more powder in the cases I used...)

H322 has given superlative accuracy, and H414 has application with the 170's but velocity is about 100-150fps below RL15 potential.

Didn't like H335 or RL7.

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I've had good results with 322 with lighter gr slugs also.

[ChefJeff1]

Well, i loaded up some using Kernel's link and I think I did pretty good . 29.7 gr imr 3031 with the 160 hornady ftx and 1/2 group at only 25 yards. some background to add. I recently read an article in a free copy of handloader mag about adjusting the seater die to seat and crimp and it is so easy to do and I think my bullets are happier in the case now. I'm using a Marlin 336sc from 1949 with a lyman 66la peep sight that came with it. I didn't worry about adjusting the sight, just grouping. I'll adjust it once i find my load. I tried some 150 gr. core-lokt and these didn't work so well. Like 1 1/2 inch group at 25 yards. I am patiently awaiting some 170 Sierra RNFP. I think I have to accept the fact that this is not an all day long bullseye shooter and be happy with 2" or a little more at 100 yards with my peep sight. Thanks for your help, Jeff

[The Bushmaster]

ChefJeff1...You might look at Speer 170 grain Hotcore FNs too. I use a 1949 Winchester M94 and am getting 1 5/8" three shot groups at 100 yards. Different powder though (W-748)...

[Kernel]

interesting program… is it only for IMR powder?
The Powley Computer can help you find other ideal powders by using it in conjunction with a powder burn rate chart (there are half a dozen good ones on the internet).

For example. For your cartridge/bullet combo the Powley method found 3031 had the ideal burn rate. Looking at a burn rate chart (or better, several) you’ll see that H335, 748, N133, 2015, and the new Alliant 10x (perhaps, the ultimate .30-30 powder) are all in that same speed range.

Those are your “Goldilocks” powders. Not to fast, and not to slow. Just right to give very high velocities and stay at acceptable pressure levels. Get your starting loads from the respective load manual. Work up using good reloading practices.

The chart will also show you which powders are close and which are not. Avoid powders that are nowhere near where the Powley method suggests. They seldom give satisfactory results. However, the powders that are only slightly fast or slightly slow may ultimately prove to be a be good powder.

You must still experiment at the range, but do so wisely. Maximize your trigger time shooting powders that have the most potential for best results. This maximizes your odds at quickly finding that ultimate “pet load” for every cartridge/bullet combo.

[kimbernut]

I've had great success with: IMR4895,H322,Surplus WC846,and RL15 on both 150 gr. and 170 gr. All have been accurate.

[James2]

My Hornady manual says Win 748 produced the best results.
Lyman sugested IMR 3031, IMR 4064 and Win 748

Good luck.

[ChefJeff1]

My nosler manual suggestdd varget as their most accurate powder for the 30-30 and it was the starting charge. I got my sierra bullets and will try that for starters and try the starting load for 3031 too.

speer bullets are next on my list for my levergun fun. Are they better than sierra? They are made in Idaho and that's important to me. Buy Idaho.

I'll probably try some noslers but I think they were a little spendy.

Jeff