load data seems way out of whack!

[Bmac1949]

I'm trying to load a 180gr lead bullet for my 30-30. I went through the manuals (4) and Lee was the only one that came close with a 190gr bullet listed for the 30-30. All fine and good until I look at the minimum OAL listed at 2.800". That's not going to chamber at least not on my Marlin, Let alone feeding correctly with a chamber length of 2.582". Does anybody know what's going on here? what is this load apply to? Certainly not the Marlin or Winchester 30-30.
Thanks

 

[James2]

All of my manuals give loads for the 30-30 up to 170 grain. None go beyond that. I suppose that you can load the 180 grainers. I would use a COAL of the same as specified for the 170 grain bullet of the same tip shape. You can't go much longer, if any, as the load still must work in the magazine and chamber.

Should not be a problem as long as you remember, more bullet in the casing, higher pressure. Start low and work up.

About a load? Perhaps get a start load for the 170 gr bullet and reduce it 10% and try 3 or 4 to see how they do and work up from there.

 

[hovercat]

My old old lyman book lists some 183gr cast loads. OAL2.550.

700x-----6.0min 7.5 max
Unique-----7.0min 10.4 max

 

[Bmac1949]

Thanks for the responses. I found these bullets in some casting equipment that I had traded for awhile back and was curious as to how these heaver bullets would do in my Marlin. I still can't figure out why they would list an OAL of 2.800" for the 30-30, but Lee does. 2.550" and using a reduced load sounds like the way to go. When I run into something new like this I like to throw it up on this forum to see what the more knowledgeable/long time reloaders have to say. Thanks again

 

[Haxby]

My guess is that the loads were worked up for a single shot, likely a TC Contender.
If you search for 30-30 Contender loads, you can probably find some data for the 180 grain lead bullet.

 

[Steve C]

This will probably get you closer. From the 30-30 "One Book/One Caliber" load book.

 

[x_wrench]

for something to try, i loaded up some 180g Hornady btsp's at one time. i used reloder 15, up to 31 grains. none showed excessive pressures, but 31 was getting there. the primers progressively grew a larger flat spot (less rounded on the edges). i am not sure how much further you could go with them. on those bullets, an oal of 2.785 worked in my Marlin 30A 30-30. none of them were crimped, i do not remember if the canalure was pushed inside the neck or not (it was 3 years ago). i had to look back thru the load data to find these. i would suggest using a slower powder if you have something listed in the lee data (or the page listed above, thanks Steve C.). the lee manual was the only place i could find as well. i have used IMR 4831 in my 30-30 on several occasions, with no ill results. the velocities were not great, but it did work. at that time i did not have a chronograph, but the point of impact was at the highest point 6" lower than where the scope was sighted (170g bullets @ 100 yards), being the drag coefficient was so much higher on the 180g btsp's, it would lead me to believe that most of the drop was due to reduced velocities, rather than the extra 10 grains of bullet weight. i have not tried any further experiments with heavier bullets since that point. but i wish you all the luck in the world. may i ask if you have a particular purpose that you need a heavier bullet for? or is this for the sake of knowledge?

 

[Elkins45]

Are you planning on shooting them at full velocity or are you interested in reduced loads? You can safely seat a lot deeper if you're not trying to drive them to full velocity.