30-30 Question

[Mr_Flintstone]

I’m going to load some some 30-30 with Speer 170 gr FP bullets. I find that I only have two appropriate powder right now; BLC(2) and TAC.

Anybody got good or bad to say about either powder for this combination, or have a particularly accurate load? I’ve also heard that some think BLC(2) requires a magnum primer, but none of my load data shows such. Anyone have a comment on that?

Thanks in advance.

 

[W.E.G.]

Each of those powders is a medium-burning rifle powder.

30-30 likes ALL medium-burning rifle powders.

A good bullet, through a good barrel will do anything you can reasonably expect a 30-30 to do 100% of the time.

Speer bullet #2041

2.550" overall length

30.0 grains TAC -- 39,000 psi - about 2,000 fps from a 20" barrel -- 94% loading density
31.0 grains BLC(2) -- 39,000 psi -- about 2,100 fps from a 20" barrel -- 96% loading density

Neither of those loads is likely to do anything amazing as far as bullet expansion with that old-timey bullet.
But a 30-30 bullet - of any stripe - through the lungs of a deer kills them 100% of the time.
Either of those loads should reliably in-and-out the chest cavity of a deer at any distance you are likely to be shooting deer with 30-30.

If you want fancy and fast expandy-bullet results, buy some of the modern factory ammo that is designed with that specifically in mind. The ammo companies have come a long way with getting bullets to expand at velocities that were formerly not known for much in the way of expansion.

Post pics of the 30-30.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I’m going to load some some 30-30 with Speer 170 gr FP bullets. I find that I only have two appropriate powder right now; BLC(2) and TAC.

Anybody got good or bad to say about either powder for this combination, or have a particularly accurate load? I’ve also heard that some think BLC(2) requires a magnum primer, but none of my load data shows such. Anyone have a comment on that?

Thanks in advance.

There’s a small group of TAC fanboys on here who might be willing to share loading data.

Calling @AJC1 !!

 

[AJC1]

There’s a small group of TAC fanboys on here who might be willing to share loading data.

Calling @AJC1 !!

26.0 grains tac with cast 170 crimped in the Grove and done.

 

[Palladan44]

I’m going to load some some 30-30 with Speer 170 gr FP bullets. I find that I only have two appropriate powder right now; BLC(2) and TAC.

Anybody got good or bad to say about either powder for this combination, or have a particularly accurate load? I’ve also heard that some think BLC(2) requires a magnum primer, but none of my load data shows such. Anyone have a comment on that?

Thanks in advance.

I've used H335 and it out-did factory ammo right out of the gate....

To me, TAC has a lot in common with H335, so that's what I would try first personally.

Another friend of mine has tried a bunch of powders in 30-30 and he concluded they all had similar 2 MOA results. Were thinking the bullet shape is the limiting factor. Use Hornady FTX, I've heard that accuracy is improved.

 

[P Flados]

Using the inputs I selected, Quickload says that BL-C2 is one of only a handful of powders that will push a 170 over 2000 fps.

Tac is OK but well down the list for velocity with 1920 fps.

TAC was also not as good for percent fill with 92% as compared to 95% for BL-C2.

In a 30-30, a standard LRP should do fine for ignition with BL-C2.

 

[AJC1]

Using the inputs I selected, Quickload says that BL-C2 is one of only a handful of powders that will push a 170 over 2000 fps.

Tac is OK but well down the list for velocity with 1920 fps.

TAC was also not as good for percent fill with 92% as compared to 95% for BL-C2.

In a 30-30, a standard LRP should do fine for ignition with BL-C2.

If I was gunning for case fill 30-31 or 4064 should be good and full. Never used blc2 in anything so I have no idea how good or bad it is. I was interested in loading up some AR Comp as I have only a pound and figured half a pound to figure it out and half a pound to make a decent supply.

 

[W.E.G.]

I was interested in loading up some AR Comp as I have only a pound and figured half a pound to figure it out and half a pound to make a decent supply.

27.5 grains AR-COMP with a 170-grain bullet
39,000 PSI - about 2,100 fps
96% loading density

2 MOA is very good accuracy from most guns that are chambered 30-30

Most guns chambered 30-30 have enough bad ergonomics, and straight-up harsh recoil because of light weight, that you'll be very done with "testing ammo" before you get a sample size large enough to find a statistically-valid "node" with your 30-30.

The "node" will probably be somewhere in the range session between when you resign yourself to the punishment that shooting 30-30 from the bench involves, and the point at which you are completely worn-out with letting a rifle that is shooting groups so big that you don't want your friends to see them. There's a sweet spot of endurance in there. That's your "node." I promise.

 

[AJC1]

27.5 grains AR-COMP with a 170-grain bullet
39,000 PSI - about 2,100 fps
96% loading density

2 MOA is very good accuracy from most guns that are chambered 30-30

Most guns chambered 30-30 have enough bad ergonomics, and straight-up harsh recoil because of light weight, that you'll be very done with "testing ammo" before you get a sample size large enough to find a statistically-valid "node" with your 30-30.

The "node" will probably be somewhere in the range session between when you resign yourself to the punishment that shooting 30-30 from the bench involves, and the point at which you are completely worn-out with letting a rifle that is shooting groups so big that you don't want your friends to see them. There's a sweet spot of endurance in there. That's your "node." I promise.

I warm up with 45-70 so I know I got it easy afterwards . In all honesty I run magnum boots on my lever guns to increase lop. Makes recoil much nicer...

 

[DMW1116]

27.5 grains AR-COMP with a 170-grain bullet
39,000 PSI - about 2,100 fps
96% loading density

2 MOA is very good accuracy from most guns that are chambered 30-30

Most guns chambered 30-30 have enough bad ergonomics, and straight-up harsh recoil because of light weight, that you'll be very done with "testing ammo" before you get a sample size large enough to find a statistically-valid "node" with your 30-30.

The "node" will probably be somewhere in the range session between when you resign yourself to the punishment that shooting 30-30 from the bench involves, and the point at which you are completely worn-out with letting a rifle that is shooting groups so big that you don't want your friends to see them. There's a sweet spot of endurance in there. That's your "node." I promise.

Preach on. The felt recoil with my 30-30 is more than my 308 with 150 grain loads. I had 24 rounds of testing and quit after 12. I couldn’t hold it steady for the test to be worth it.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

Thanks for all the input guys. I think I’ll go with the BLC(2) this time. I’ll probably start my load work up tomorrow.

 

[2ndtimer]

All I load for my son’s Model 94 is Hodgdon LeverEvolution. He prefers 150 gr bullets.150 to 200 fps more velocity than any other powder with comparable or better accuracy.

 

[DMW1116]

I haven’t found LEVERevolution to be terribly accurate in my Marlin but I haven’t done a proper load development either. I tested different loads with the factory irons and a Ranger Point peep sight. Probably not ideal either way.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I haven’t found LEVERevolution to be terribly accurate in my Marlin…

Me either. But it’s a winner in my Contender Super 14 .35Rem and 10” .30WCF. It seems to work better with a tighter fit bullet:barrel.

 

[DMW1116]

If there's one thing I've learned tinkering with the Marlin 30-30, its to keep a scope around for load testing. I thought I had good loads worked up with the iron sights/Williams Peep, but after shooting them with a scope and getting larger groups, I was wrong. I think I'm on the right track now, but there was a lot of work to be redone. Had to retest my H335/165 grain cast loads from the beginning. I should also probably retest my W231/135 grain load, but it seems ok for now. I've loaded all the ones I had left and I'm not pulling them...again.

 

[GRIZ22]

I've used IMR 3031 for 30-30 for years. Unique for reduced velocity cast bullet loads that produce about 1600 fps.

 

[AJC1]

If there's one thing I've learned tinkering with the Marlin 30-30, its to keep a scope around for load testing. I thought I had good loads worked up with the iron sights/Williams Peep, but after shooting them with a scope and getting larger groups, I was wrong. I think I'm on the right track now, but there was a lot of work to be redone. Had to retest my H335/165 grain cast loads from the beginning. I should also probably retest my W231/135 grain load, but it seems ok for now. I've loaded all the ones I had left and I'm not pulling them...again.

Lever guns act differently depending on how they are held. An offhand load will shoot differently than one in a lead slead. The system is strapped together and will not act like a free floated target rifle..... makes them a special challenge imo.

 

[W.E.G.]

My prescribed "load testing" rig for everything except service rifle is the soiled towel that I keep in the trunk of my car, laid over top of an ammo can. Forearm of rifle on the towel. If its a nice rifle, I might put a McDonalds napkin between the rifle and the towel. One hand on the trigger. Other hand holding the butt into my shoulder in such a way that the buttplate hopefully won't sledge-hammer my collarbone. Head placed in such a way as to reduce the chances getting a renewal of my membership in the "Crescent Club."

No special "bechrest" tools for me.

For service rifle "testing," I sling-up in the standard fashion as though I were shooting a match.

For "offhand" I try to keep my wobble somewhere inside the 6-ring, and be honest about calling any shots that look like they broke outside that. I wouldn't claim my offhand efforts constitute any kind of "accuracy testing." More like a personal exersize in trying to not completely screw the pooch.

 

[Art30/30]

I have used 170 grain and 30/30 to take everything from coyotes to buffalo (and elk). I have used 32 grains of W748 forever. The good thing about blc2 is it is a ball powder. Loading with a powder drop you can load a lot in a short amount of time. Either way you will find a good load.

 

[Art30/30]

The mule deer was with my 35 Remington but the antelope is with my 30/30. I couldn’t find my other 30/30 pics.

 

[DMW1116]

Lever guns act differently depending on how they are held. An offhand load will shoot differently than one in a lead slead. The system is strapped together and will not act like a free floated target rifle..... makes them a special challenge imo.

Great. One more thing to figure out on that rifle.

 

[.45Coltguy]

I have used 170 grain and 30/30 to take everything from coyotes to buffalo (and elk). I have used 32 grains of W748 forever. The good thing about blc2 is it is a ball powder. Loading with a powder drop you can load a lot in a short amount of time. Either way you will find a good load. View attachment 1186951View attachment 1186952

Art30/30 has it figured out. Been my 30-30 load for a looong time.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

OK, I finally got a chance to do some load work ups. I used Hodgdon as my data source since they list the Speer 170 gr FP and BL-C(2). They list a range of 32.5-36 gr BL-C(2). I worked from the minimum and found a very good load at 34.5 gr/2150 fps.

Running this through Gordon’s Reloading tool, it shows this load at way over max pressure when seated to 2.52”, and it shows the minimum load to be right at 40,000 psi. Ordinarily I wouldn‘t sweat the difference, but WEG stated above that the 2041 bullet (which is what I have) has a pressure of 39,000 psi with a charge of just 31 grains. I ordinarily trust Hodgdon, but I can’t find any other source with this bullet and powder combination to back up my load. Speer doesn’t have this powder, and Lyman only shows a Hornady RN bullet.

What are your opinions? I don’t see any pressure signs with the 34.5 gr, and I trust Hodgdon, but I just want to be sure before loading a bunch of them.

 

[ms6852]

I've used 33 gr. in my Winchester 94 the rifle likes it, anything higher my groups open up. I use Remington Core-lokt.

 

[Art30/30]

Hodgdon goes to 36 grains and Hornady maxes out at 36.5, as long as you are getting easy extraction and it’s shooting well I think you should be just fine. With that said, Hornady goes to 36.5 on W748 and that would be waaay too much for my 30/30s. All of my other sources of data stop at 32 grains of 748.