loading for a 30-30 lever

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sequins

sequins

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Hello friends,

I just got a 30-30 winchester 94 ranger and I'm looking to start loading for it. It's mostly just for the fun of the action but I do want good ammo, and I'm not sure what bullet is good for plinking. I'm usually a 308 or 223 shooter so I don't think any of my point Sierra bullets will work in the 30-30, what should I be looking for? Please recommend powders too!

For brass im thinking starline.

For primers im thinking cci

For dies im looking at the forster micrometer, redding s-type full length & neck sizers, a redding body sizer, and a redding crimp die. Im addicted to micrometer seaters and like redding so I think ill be more than covered with these dies and my coax press.

Thanks for any tips, appreciate it!

(Hoping to use the same setup for a stainless Ruglin 336 to match the classic winchester, this one's a tang safety from '91)
 
If you just want a batch of plinking .30-30 rounds, Extreme makes a plated 150 gr FN.
6CD6D159-DC7F-4FF6-B19B-A18CD5109A07.jpeg 3D68110F-6EDB-4943-B830-95DD96628336.jpeg

I’ll load this over 31 gr IMR 3031.
A2C55A9C-631E-451F-ACA1-9695F666B837.jpeg

Hunting I’ll use the Hornady 150 gr RN over 37 gr Leverevolution.

CFAAC8B2-F852-4C9E-A251-A0A9F5BC8878.jpeg

And a 160 gr Hornady FTX BT over 35.5 gr Leverevolution is a great round.

45F3927F-9510-43F5-A006-92D4DCCD0A92.jpeg

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I use Lee dies. They’ve worked very well without costing an arm and a leg. I’m not loading for a benchrest rifle, my Win 1894’s are minute of deer vital zone as far as I care to shoot and my loads meet my needs well. :thumbup:

Welcome to reloading the veteran .30-30, it’s a fun one to load.

Stay safe.
 

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I use RCBS dies for my 30-30. Don't forget to crimp the bullet in the case because of the tube and be sure no pointy bullets that could ignite the primer of the round in front of it. You will not like a "string fire."

I use .309" coated cast bullets for plinking from Missouri Bullets and Hornady .308" 160gr FTX bullets for hunting. (#30395) They are pointy but with a flex tip so they are safe and marked for the 30-30 by Hornady.

I use CCI primers and Hodgdon LVR powder for the hunting bullet and IMR-3031 for the cast bullets. H4198 works well with the cast bullets.
 
Berry's plated bullets were cheap.
Plus one on the 150 interlock.

For powder, try what you run in your 223. It should be more than acceptable.
If you want super accurate. IMR3031 Is the one too beat in my experience.
For velocity leverevolution and w748 are both accurate and fast.
 
The origional 30-30 propellant was IMR 3031. I like a slow heavy bullet in the 30-30. I have used the Hornaday and the Laser Cast lead with good results. The specific for 30-30 bullets are made to expand at the lower velocities so theres that . The brass has thin necks so watch out for that when crimping them to avoid collapsing the shoulder. I use RCBS dies just because I got a deal on them way back when. I use the Lee FCD to crimp them as the trim length then need not be so critical. Keep in mind that a 30-30 is not a long range sniper rifle and MOA is a good load.
 
sequins said:
For dies im looking at the forster micrometer, redding s-type full length & neck sizers, a redding body sizer, and a redding crimp die. Im addicted to micrometer seaters and like redding so I think ill be more than covered with these dies and my coax press.
Click to expand...
Wow! I think those choices will do wonders. I’d better not tell my RCBS setup about this, they may get jealous. I haven’t found much difference in brass and use Win and RP mostly. WLR primers and IMR 4895 typically but have been trying 8208 with some success. I’ll typically use Hornady 150 RN for plinking and the 160 FTX for hunting. Good luck.
 
FROGO207 said:
The brass has thin necks so watch out for that when crimping them to avoid collapsing the shoulder.
Click to expand...

That's always my suggestion when starting to load for .30-30. I've probably ruined more .30-30 brass than any other cartridge this way. If you want consistent crimp, trim your brass. You don't need a death-grip crimp, you just need to roll it into the cannelure as long as you have good neck tension.

My favorites are the Hornady 170grn SP bullet over IMR3031, or any cast ~170grn cast bullet sized for the bore over IMR or H4198.... it doesn't get much better than that.
 
Charlie98 said:
That's always my suggestion when starting to load for .30-30. I've probably ruined more .30-30 brass than any other cartridge this way. If you want consistent crimp, trim your brass. You don't need a death-grip crimp, you just need to roll it into the cannelure as long as you have good neck tension.

My favorites are the Hornady 170grn SP bullet over IMR3031, or any cast ~170grn cast bullet sized for the bore over IMR or H4198.... it doesn't get much better than that.
Click to expand...
Indeed, the .30-30 case has plenty of neck, and most bullets designed for it have a convenient cannelure, so you’re right on about a death crimp not being needed. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
My current 30-30 hunting load is a 150gr Sierra SP over H-322, in mixed brass cases with WW primers. I also load a 110gr Hornady for varmints, etc using the same combo. I was using H4895 for it and my '06, but have since run out and given the Recent Unpleasantness, have been unable to restock. For dies, I use a Lee 2-die set, make sure my cases are trimmed properly, and seat to the cannelure on the bullet. So far I've had no problems with neck tension. Granted, I'm not getting match-grade accuracy with my 336, but it shoots well enough to put meat in the freezer!

Mac
 
Fun loads for .30-30 ? There are so many....

The Lee TL314-90 -SWC, sized to .311 and tumble lubed. Loaded over 3.7gn Promo (RedDot).
~1045 fps form a Mossberg 464, SD 16.4 fps,. ES of 28 fps.
3 shots in one hole at 25 yds.

Lee C309-170F : 18gn IMR 4198
1510 fps, SD 24, ES 73
50 yards: 7 shots in 1 - 3/8", 8 shots in 1-1/4".
Both groups have 5 shots in 3/8"

.311 round ball, thumb seated in fired case. Dip the head in tumble lube after loading.
2.2gn Clays - 868 fps, SD 34, ES 74
These just go 'pop' when fired. Mostly it goes like this :
Pop, giggle... Pop, giggle.,. Pop, giggle....
 
In my opinion, you don't need to spend much to reload for a 30/30. You can find brass at the range for free. If not, you'll find someone with extra shells. You don't need to spend so much on dies. Even a Lee would work. Or maybe find a used set on Ebay..If you're plinking, lead bullets by Oregon Trails or Missouri bullet company are a cheap option. Some lead bullets are made for gas checks too. For lead bullets you can even use 2400. If you use jacketed bullets, there are a few powders you can choose from. I happen to use R7 because I can use it for my 7.62x39 loads too.
 
30-30 is the most versatile reloading cartridge I have with my current rifles. I have a 110 grain FMJ load with H335 for plinking and high velocity. I think they were intended for 30 Carbine but they work.

I also have a 160 grain FTX load with LEVERevolution powder at about the same speed and I’m testing a 150 grain round nose over H335 should I decide to hunt.

Next on the plan is starting cast with some Acme Bullet 135 grain coated lead bullets and 2400 powder. Those are actually cheaper than the FMJ bullets and are way more available right now.
 
Ditto on thin necks, I have found split necks in brass that I know were factory ammo fired exactly 1 time. You can have lots of fun, do a little research as I don't divulge load data online, there are lots of info on loading plinkers like to squirrel hunt using a little bit of pistol powder and a cast bullet. I think cast boolits forum may be a good source. Have fun the thurty thurty ain't dead yet!!
 
The Ole thutty thutty sure ain't dead yet, not even breathing hard IMO. I would bet it has harvested more game than any other center fire round save for 12 GA and buckshot over the many years of it's existence.
 
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