30-30 question

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Mr_Flintstone

Mr_Flintstone

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I’ve got about 200 .32 S&W Long 95 grain flat point bullets sized to .312” with Brinnel of 18-21. Would it be possible to use these as plinkers in a Marlin 336? I haven’t had a chance to slug the barrel yet? Is .312 too big a diameter for a micro-groove barrel?
 
Slug your barrel. That will tell you for sure if the bullets you have will fit. You can use lead fishing weights that are close enough in size and slowly push one down the barrel. You can also use Cerrosafe as well instead of lead weights.
 
I shoot the Lee tumble lube bullet designed for the .32 handguns - the Lee TL314-90-SWC - sized to .312 in 3 different 30/30 rifles.

A ball to shoot, accurate with 4 or 5 grains of fast pistol powder. Just a pffft from the barrel. Very accurate to 50 yds.

I'll load up 50 of them, they are gone in no time; replaced by grins and laughs at the firing line.
 
Like others said. If it chambers, it will shoot.
I learned from experience. Put one in the chamber and one in the mag. It will lock up the gun if you try having 2 in the magazine at the same time.
gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm
This site should give you some insight on running pistol powder in a rifle.
 
I have found bullets sized .311 too large in my Marlin 336 (1968 Texan microgroove). Tough to chamber and shave a slight ring when they do, butit may depend on bullet design. If it will chamber, you are good to go.
 
That Lee push-through .310 swaging die... I tend to say get it, but really, I've only ever used one to set gas checks. A cast lead bullet generally needs to be a couple of thousandths over the usual. If a .30-30 is a .308" diameter in jacketed, the cast lead needs to be .310"... I'd be hesitant to recommend a .312", but then I've never had occasion to run a 95gr 312/.32cal. in a .30-30 either.

Any idea about the Brinnell hardness? From what I'm reading lately, if it's down near 5-6, you may not need to downsize.
 
I have used AK bullets that were .311" they were reduced loads and barely super sonic.
Shot hundreds of them.
 
I think before I use these, I’ll slug the barrel and make some dummy rounds. In the meantime, I have a bunch of soft point .30 carbine bullets that I may try. My goal is to make something close to the original .30 WCF-Short Range loads https://winchestercollector.org/for...-cartridges-1896-1924-and-their-replications/. Hornady has load data for 100 and 110 gr .30 carbine bullets, but I don’t have any of those powders on hand, and the velocities are much higher than what I was looking for. What I want is approximately 100 grain bullet at approximately 1000-1200 FPS.

I’ll have to dig around for load data with the powders I have, and at the velocities I want. If anybody has tried this successfully, please give suggestions on powders. Powders I have that may work are Bullseye, Unique, IMR 4227, Titegroup, Win 231, AutoComp, and H4895.
 
Mr_Flintstone said:
I think before I use these, I’ll slug the barrel and make some dummy rounds. In the meantime, I have a bunch of soft point .30 carbine bullets that I may try. My goal is to make something close to the original .30 WCF-Short Range loads https://winchestercollector.org/for...-cartridges-1896-1924-and-their-replications/. Hornady has load data for 100 and 110 gr .30 carbine bullets, but I don’t have any of those powders on hand, and the velocities are much higher than what I was looking for. What I want is approximately 100 grain bullet at approximately 1000-1200 FPS.

I’ll have to dig around for load data with the powders I have, and at the velocities I want. If anybody has tried this successfully, please give suggestions on powders. Powders I have that may work are Bullseye, Unique, IMR 4227, Titegroup, Win 231, AutoComp, and H4895.
Click to expand...
I've used carbine bullets, XTP pistol bullets, and cast. Be sure to seat at least 30 caliber into the neck. And don't try putting 2 in the magazine. You will be disassembling your rifle if you do.
I know I posted the warning earlier. But it's because I made the mistake twice before I learned my lesson. It sucks trying to take apart a jambed lever gun.
 
After trying different kinds of bullets and scrounging load data from online and old manuals, I’ve decided to go with .30 carbine bullets. 85 gr SP .30 Mauser bullets, 100 gr Short Jackets, and 110 gr Soft Points can all be loaded with 7-12 gr Unique, and put me right in the 1200-1600 FPS range. That’s a little higher than what I previously said, but they are really pleasant and accurate loads. I could probably go down a little more and get to the 1000 FPS range, but 1200-1300 suits me just fine.
 
Mr_Flintstone said:
After trying different kinds of bullets and scrounging load data from online and old manuals, I’ve decided to go with .30 carbine bullets. 85 gr SP .30 Mauser bullets, 100 gr Short Jackets, and 110 gr Soft Points can all be loaded with 7-12 gr Unique, and put me right in the 1200-1600 FPS range. That’s a little higher than what I previously said, but they are really pleasant and accurate loads. I could probably go down a little more and get to the 1000 FPS range, but 1200-1300 suits me just fine.
Click to expand...
If you're just Poppin paper the more comfortable the better. Now hunting would be different and trying to shoot steel silhouette what also be complicated with those light bullets if you're just shoot paper have at it. Sounds like it would be a good time to me
 
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