30-30 loads with 748

Start with 30 grains of 748 then work up in one grain increments. Stop when you think the pressure indicators are showing maximum. That'll probably be about the average maximum of all. Or close enough to be just fine.

That's what most others do when developing loads to publish. They all use different "rulers" to measure pressure. They all use different barrels, lots of powder and primers as well as loading techniques, too.

Seeing how the Hornady start load is 31.4 grains is it a reasonable expectation that if I used the Hornady data that I might run into pressure signs real fast or are other companies just being real conservative.

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First look at this seems that you may be assuming too much. They may not be more conservative. Different manuals likely used different bullets, cases, primers, lot numbers of powders and obviously different guns. All of those things are valid reasons to work up an entirely new load from whatever you may have already been happily shooting in X gun with Y case, Z bullet, etc. They may have all stopped at similar pressure points, they may have just reached them at different charges because of the variables.

748 is my first choice for the 30-30. It gives both good velocity and accuracy.
Yes there's a wide span on loading data, but it's always best to start with the data for the bullets you have.

748 also works well in the 223,308 and 3006.

Start low and work up. What Hornady is showing as max works well in all 3 of my 30-30's.

The other day, I encountered the same issue in 30-30, only working with Hornady 150gr Interlock bullets and W748. The difference in the load data I found was worrisome.

Hodgdon's data is for a Sierra 150gr bullet and the listed max is 34.5. Hornady lists the max load for their 150gr Interlock as higher (38.9gr or something like that, I dont have the book with me). This was cause for concern on my part, so I worked up the load carefully using the Hornady data. I dont have a chronograph, but watched along the way and found that I had good accuracy and no pressure signs that I could identify at 38gr. Didnt feel like going any higher, regardless of what the book said. Recoil appeared to be comparable to the factory loads I had available. Fired brass and primers look the same as my other loads with the same primer. Brass ejected fine. Accuracy was fine considering my old eyes iron sights and a worried mind .

I am reserving this load for hunting. As I recall the gun Hornady did their testing with was a Winchester 94, the same gun as I am using this load in and my OAL was the same as they call out.

I guess my point is that I used the Hornady data, but used it with caution with their bullet and worked up from start to finish and quit when I thought I had a good load. I would imagine their 38.9gr would be pretty stout.

YMMV. Good luck and be safe.

H1