30-30 powder

3031

IMR-3031 is a great choice for the 30-30 and was developed around that cartridge. Several variations of Leverevolution powder have been developed buy Hornady and Hodgdon with the version on the shelf being the 30-30 formulation. It's a good powder but can be a little tricky when trying to find an accurate load.

IMO if you're going to use a ball powder I would go with H335 instead of the slower BL-C(2). I feel it's a better fit especially with a 150gr bullet. I have used 4895 and 4064 with success but my best accuracy so far has been with 3031.

The best group @ 50 yards that I have gotten was with 3031, but the load workup I did with Leverevolution was almost as good, and about 300fps faster. (Both using Hornady 150 RN bullets). I really like the LVR powder. I have also made indoor plinking loads using H4895 and plated bullets, running about 1700fps.

IMR 4895 & 150 gr Sierra. Almost 2000 fps out of a 10" Contender barrel.

Both LVR and BLC2 are excellent in the .30/30.
Just remember the Contender isn’t as strong as most bolt actions. Consider the loads in the manuals to be maximum.
The beauty of the Contender is that it allows using more ballistically efficient bullets. The 125gr Nosler Ballistic Tips, Hornady SST, and Speer TNT HP will perform very well.
LVR is better with heavier bullets. H4895 and H322 have given me best performance with the lighter bullets. Many powders work well in the .30/30.

My Contender Carbine is a 7-30Waters. It’s VERY accurate. It likes BLC2 very much.

Varget gives me the best velosity, and is accurate in both my 30-30's

Made me go back and pull out my data. Thought I would share this just for FYI. All shot from 20" Winchester '94, buckhorn sight.

All groups were 3 rounds fired unless otherwise noted. I know this may not be statistically significant, I was just wanting to get a quick idea where I should do further testing.

Hornady 150 RN, Win WLR
3031 30.0gn, 2079.7fps, 12.0sd, 24es. 1.1"@50 POI ~ 2.5" low. Best group
3031 30.5gn, 2125.7fps, 27.1sd, 52es. 3.1"@50 Max charge tested

Xtreme 150 FN plated, Win WLR
H-4895 24.0gn, 1599.7fps, 5.5sd, 10es. Attempt at indoor plinking load.

Hornady 150 RN, Win WLR
LVR 34.4gn, 2214.3fps, 7.2sd, 13es. 1.3"@50 Best group
LVR 37.7gn, 2484.0fps, 2.7sd, 5.4es. 1.4" @50 Next best group.
LVR 38.0gn, 2489.5fps, 16.3sd, 29.4es. 3.7"@ 50 Max charge, groups opened up

Hornady 150 RN, Win WLR
W748 34.0gn, 2191fps, 17.1sd, 42es spread. Best group
W748 36.0gn, 2316fps. Only one shot, pulled rest. Max charge tested

I'll vote for W-748.

I'm assuming you are running g a short barrel in that contender. As such, I'd be looking at the fastest powder you can find in the load book.

ArchAngelCD said:

I have used 4895 and 4064 with success but my best accuracy so far has been with 3031.

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The same goes for me. With 125 gr. bullet and IMR 3031, my 10" Contender shoots real good groups.

I load 33.6grs of win 760 powder with a sierra 170gr prohunter works great in my 20in win 94

3031 for me as well.

For me Leverevolution powder is a top choice if I'm not trying to consolidate powders. Like most ball powders it's easy to find a load with.

In 30-30 and 32 SPL my best loads are with 3031 in several WIN, Marlin, levers and a savage bolt rifle. Never tried it for a pistol though so thinking a faster powder might do better. Or not.

W748 here as well. Primarily I use it because it also works well in 223 and 308 which I also load for, so I can buy it in bulk. Accuracy is good across the board. It is a good all around rifle powder.

I like 4895. Accurate and the smell is heavenly.

Eagle103 said:

I like 4895. Accurate and the smell is heavenly.

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i've never considered the smell of the burnt powder before, darn you, now i'll be sniffing other shooting areas at the range.. if i get arrested....

Another nod for 3031. It’s served me well in my 336, in 7-30 for the contender, and even a bit in .223. Its a good fairly versatile powder.

once I get all my H335 used up, I'll get some 3031 to try.

I'm in the 3031 camp. It does not have the best smelling vapor though.

Lever Revolution is my new love.



Been doing 34.0 grains with the 160 grain FTX and 35.0 grains with the 170 Sierra FP. Love the accuracy and speed.



3C

Varget is what I use in 30-30. Also 4895 is good to use.