Don't have QL, but when I was reloading pointy bullets in 30-30 for a Handi-Rifle (155 gr. A-Max), I started with Contender data form my Lyman manual...
Alright, well if you wan't to know the velocity you will get with a specific load (say 28gr of IMR3031 for example) I'll have to do it tomorrow some time after I wake up, AFAICT QL doesn't take primers into account when calculating velocity/pressure so take this load data with a grain of salt. Also the reason I asked about bullet touching is because QL specifies adding 7200 psi to initiation pressure on top of whatever initiation pressure is for the specific bullet type, and that large jump in start pressure can cause a pretty big increase in maximum chamber pressure, which could get real unsafe real fast.Thank you, Watermonger!
I am green as grass to reloading, and didn't even know to include a pressure in my request. I am simply trying to gather all the info I can, before proceeding with it.
That OAL (2.778) has the bullet at .030 off the rifling.
Think of it like pushing something with wheels. If you run over a hump. You have to push much harder initially if you stop against the hump instead of having a rolling start.I'm going to have to more properly wrap my head around what you said about initiation pressures tomorrow.....so much of his is chinese to me.
Handi RIfle
Your over thinking this. Think accuracy , not velocity.
Also note that 30-30 bullets are made just for the cartridge. The 30-30 bullet is designed to expand at 1900 to 2200 fps for hunting.
Your rifle can shoot pointed boatail bullets for target, if you wish.
Hornady does make a 308 160 gr FTX® (30-30 Win) Hornady® FTX® bullets .
Your over thinking this. Think accuracy , not velocity.
Also note that 30-30 bullets are made just for the cartridge. The 30-30 bullet is designed to expand at 1900 to 2200 fps for hunting.
Your rifle can shoot pointed boatail bullets for target, if you wish.
Hornady does make a 308 160 gr FTX® (30-30 Win) Hornady® FTX® bullets .
Excellent advice.
OP- if you want velocity and accuracy, you will be hard pressed to beat the 160 grs FTX seated to canelure over 35 grs Leverevolution. I use that in a Savage 340, Marlin 336 and previously in a Handi Rifle. In both the Handi and the Savage, I have gone above max published loads and seen nigh on 2500 fps, but every time I went above 35 grs LVR, I started to see vertical stringing. I have used this load very successfully on hogs, and would confidently use on whitetail and mule deer out to 150 yards even though I am wary of the FTX in other applications.
As I recall, Handi Rifle 30-30 barrels, certainly the Ilion made ones, had long leades compared to lever guns. And, provided that you have an SB2 receiver and a Handi Rifle barrel, rather than an SB1 and 158 or Topper barrel, I wouldn't worry about pressure with any published loads. The receivers were used with the 270 Win at 65,000 psi.
It is definitely enough.Bfh_auto......I was thinking that .030 gave a good head start, without being too much of a head start....thus being a recommended starting point. What do you think?
You might look into the 135 Sierra varminter. It was designed to be a medium game bullet at 30-30 velocity and under.I need to triple-check, but last I looked this Handi has an maximum OAL of 2.503 in my chamber when using the Hornady 150 grain RN #3035 seated at the rifling.....this design seems to have the ogive further forward than most other 30-30 jacketed bullets. 2.503 is a good bit shy of the 2.54 COAL called for in my load book for standard 30-30 loads. 150 grain ballistic tips are 2.818 COAL when seated at the rifling. Perhaps a long, yet narrow leade?
My barrel is 1:12 twist unlike most 30-30 Handi's, and was made in Gardner, Mass in the early 90's during the short stint of years they were under certain management. As best as I can tell, it has standard-type rifling. It is marked SB2.
I hear the FTX's are a bit more fragile than the Nosler BT's......I have heard more than enough good things about the Nosler BT's out of a Handi (especially the 125 grainer) to want to pursue loading them first (plus Nosler is a relatively local company). I like the higher BC of the Nosler, as well to help flatten the trajectory for precision shots on smaller targets "further out there".
I will probably look into the FTX and compare them to the SST's after I establish hunting loads, when I start looking more towards developing "regular-shooting" loads.
Quickload said:
You might look into the 135 Sierra varminter. It was designed to be a medium game bullet at 30-30 velocity and under.
My wife will be using them on deer this fall.
You might look into the 135 Sierra varminter. It was designed to be a medium game bullet at 30-30 velocity and under.
My wife will be using them on deer this fall.