Reloading for the .30 Carbine Blackhawk

I just purchased a NIB Ruger Blackhawk in .30 Carbine a week ago, but I'm going in the opposite direction with it from what you're trying to do. I'm going to load it with lighter bullets and load a lot of the rounds in the .32-20 area for some light, pleasurable plinking. Fortunately, I cast all my own bullets, and I've got several different .32 caliber bullets to try, after sizing them to .309", which is what my cylinder throats measure. I just finished up loading three sample batches last night with 95, 98 and 100 grain bullets to try out.

There is quite a bit of data for the Lyman 115 gr and 130 gr. cast bullets in the .30 Carbine, but I don't remember ever seeing any data for bullets heavier than that. That doesn't mean it doesn't exist, only that I haven't seen it.

You might try Berry's plated 110 gr. bullets, since you don't cast. They have their heavy plating and are listed at 1,950 fps, which you'll never attain from the revolver, so it should be a good bullet for playing with. I loaded a few of those while I was at it, but haven't had a chance to get to the range to give them a try in the revolver. They've done fine in my Carbines, though, even with near max. loads.

Hope this helps.

Fred

Unfortunately most of the cast 30 cal bullets are in the heavier weight range unless you pour your own. There just really hasn't been a big trend in shooting light weight cast for this caliber.

That said, there is no reason not to use those 115's they should shoot well. If you DO want to try something a bit heavier you might contact Missouri Bullet Co and ask about getting a sample pack of their 135gr RNFN #2 Whitetail This is about as heavy as you can go and still find some sort of reliable data on.

I have gone through the same thing with mine. I finally started casting several years back and now have a couple of different molds that I purchased expressly for this revolver. If you DO decide to get into casting, or have a friend who does it, you could purchase a mold and get with him to pour you up a mess. I would highly suggest looking at the selection from Accurate Molds, mainly starting with the 30-115H or the 31-130F.

I have the 30-115 mold and it pours great little thumpers which are very accurate out of my BH and my .308 as well. I had Tom draw up the 130gr version with a GC from the 115gr version but I haven't managed to pick up that one just yet. It is on the list though and should make a fine bullet for several 30cals that I have.

There is only one thing wrong when you pick up not so popular items like the 30 Carbine revolver, you usually don't get a lot of choices unless you invest some time and effort on your part to expand your choices.

Hope this helps.

Speer 100 grain Plinker

Many years ago when I could get nothing else, I bought a couple boxes of Speer 100 grain .308 bullets they called "Plinkers". It was essentially a short gilding metal jacket surrounding the base of a lead bullet. They had all the advantages of loading a jacketed bullet and shot pretty well, too. With the right powder, I was able to push the velocities up to 2,200 fps which gave it greater muzzle energy than the normal 110 grain load.

I have used the plinkers too with good results. Wear ears when you touch that 30 off in a Blackhawk! It will make some noise!

I use a 110 gr FMJ with 15 gr of H110

I love to hear & feel the building vibrate with the after shock

I also went the route Reloader Fred went light bullets and charges. The big thing with heavier bullets is that they get longer and the cylinder is just so long. I find using 98-100 grain lead bullets designed for the 32 H&R magnum when sized down with the Lee sizer are just the ticket for low power loads. Or use the jacketed bullets and full charges for that loud noise and flame thrower effect. YMMV

It's labor intensive to put the gaschecks on cast bullets, especially for a commercial operation. You're paying for the time it takes for that process.

I've gotten good use from the Berry's 110 gr. plated .30 Carbine bullets in my carbines. They can be pushed to just about the factory specs for this caliber.

Hope this helps.

Fred

This isn't what you want to hear but, why are you trying to turn your 30 Carbine into a .357 Magnum? If you wanted a .357 that's what you should have bought. Most cartridges are most efficient when using the bullet they were intended to use. The 30 Carbine will work extremely well with a 115gr cast bullet. Shoot a .357 Magnum if you want to use a 158/160gr bullet. Trying to load very heavy for caliber bullets will make you nuts lol.

Now for the real matter, where are the pictures of your Blackhawk?

Isn't the revolver that's the issue. It's the cartridge. OAL gets out of hand over 130. This is out of my elderly Lyman Handgun book. Cartridge dimensions do not change.
120 grain cast w. gas check 1.610" OAL
Powder Start Vel Max Vel
Unique 5.0 1138 6.3 1335
Blue Dot 6.5 1066 8.8 1339
2400 10.8 1236 12.3(c) 1436
SR7625 4.6 1027 5.6 1162
SR4756 5.5 1050 6.5 1220
IMR4227 11.5 1169 13.3(c) 1388
Win296 13.5 1415(Reduced load, not recommended by Winchester)
H110 10.0 1055 13.5 1358
AL-8 9.5 1239 11.0(c) 1408
123 grain cast w. gas check 1.610" OAL
Powder Start Vel Max Vel
Unique 5.0 1017 6.3 1316
Blue Dot 6.5 997 8.8 1290
2400 10.8 1271 12.3(c) 1445
SR4756 5.1 923 6.1 1172
IMR4227 11.0 1124 13.1(c) 1342
Win296 13.5 1431(Reduced load, not recommended by Winchester)
H110 10.0 1037 13.5 1420
AL-8 9.2 1196 10.8(c) 1384
130 Grain cast 1.680" OAL
Powder Start Vel Max Vel
Unique 4.9 1064 6.1 1270
Blue Dot 6.3 971 8.2 1249
2400 10.5 1282 12.0(c) 1414
SR4756 5.0 1011 6.0 1182
IMR4227 10.6 1116 12.7(c) 1387
Win296 12.5 1356(Reduced load, not recommended by Winchester)
H110 9.0 979 12.5 1350
AL-8 9.0 1225 10.4(c) 1346
'c' = compressed load.

Blackhawk ammo picky

I found my 30 cal blackhawk is -very- picky about reloaded ammo. The bullets tend to stretch the case mouth by just a weeee little bit, and then they won't chamber.

They work fine in the other 3 guns I have in 30 carbine (lever rifle, semi auto pistol and M1 Carbine)

mgkdrgn said:

I found my 30 cal blackhawk is -very- picky about reloaded ammo. The bullets tend to stretch the case mouth by just a weeee little bit, and then they won't chamber.

They work fine in the other 3 guns I have in 30 carbine (lever rifle, semi auto pistol and M1 Carbine)

Click to expand...

you have a lever gun in 30 carbine? what is it and can I see?

Look up Marlin mod62 IIRC. I always wanted one in .256win.
Three for sale on gunbroker.

A bullet intended for .327 Federal would probably be sized .312" or .313". They would need to be sized to .308" or .309", depending on the chamber throats or bore diameter, depending on whether they're going to be fired in a rifle or revolver.

Hope this helps.

Fred

That makes sense. Lyman lists loading data for the 130 gr. cast bullet for the .30 Carbine, but I've never loaded any. Data might be scarce for the 130 gr. jacketed bullet, unless you've got QuickLoad.

Hope this helps.

Fred