.30-30 Test Loads

[Cosmoline]

I've been working on handloads for the .30-30 off and on for years now. I've found a lot of good loads but few great ones. Cast bullets in particular have given be trouble. Also accurate loads for 170 SP's. I did some investigating and found some suggested loads for both. These are the two standouts from today's trials. My current rifle is a Win 94 from 1942 or thereabouts. Very nice one which I am extremely grateful for finding.

The first is the cast 170s (closer to 180 w. gc) with 20 grains of IMR 4198. The group is at 25 yards but solid, and shows some real promise. I did not have a proper rest and had to use my arm, thus reducing accuracy. I shot these from a clean barrel before shooting the jacketed bullets. They came in well below the full strength rounds but elevation could be adjusted. My aim point was the same for each load.

The second load is 170 interlock with 31 grains of Varget, which seems to favor the heavier bullets with this cartridge. The results were excellent. Once I got my sights adjusted it was a string of bullseyes. At 25 yards that's not super difficult, but the close group is very promising.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Cosmoline...I know you have played with W-748. Right? I have a 1949 mod 94 .30WCF. With 170 grain Speer FNSP, loaded into Remington or Winchester cases with CCI primers. At 100 yards it will print 3 rounds into a 3" red dot (If I do my part). If, by chance you have those components you might try them...

 

[rbernie]

I have found that Reloader15 works REALLY well in my 30-30 loads (altho I have not yet shot any cast bullets).

 

[Ben Shepherd]

There are 6 win 94 30-30's in the family. All of them poke a single hole at 25 yards using a 150 sierra and a max charge(listed on bottle) of H335.

Just tossing it out there if you want to chase it around a bit.

 

[Cosmoline]

Bushmaster, I've tried many permutations of 748 with only average results. How many grains were in your load? Maybe there's a sweet spot I've been missing.

I've not tried H335 yet for anything but I'll give it a whirl.

Thanks for these load tips! Feel free to post more good .30-30 loads here.

 

[Eb1]

My 30-30 "Marlin 336" likes H335 with a Hornady 170 grain bullet, but as I found out this weekend. It likes BLC-2 and a Sierra 170 grain bullets better.

 

[The Bushmaster]

32 grains of W-748. Cosmoline.

 

[DEDON45]

My Marlin 336 likes 170 Grain bullets (I use mostly Hornady Interlocks) with either IMR 3031 or BL(C)2, fired off by a Wolf LR Primer. The BL(C)2 gets me a little more velocity before hitting max, but it seems the 3031 gives slightly better accuracy in my rifle.

 

[Cosmoline]

That's odd. 3031 does better with 130-150 grains in mine. Maybe it's rifle-specific.

 

[DEDON45]

It could just be me. I've actually started just using BL(C)2 powder for the .30-30, to simplify things (I'm getting ready to start reloading .308) ... I still have some 3031 left, but I'm going to use it up and won't be buying any more.

 

[scrat]

Wow those are some impressive results. i kinda like W748 and H4895. However for cast bullets have you tried Trail boss

 

[Cosmoline]

I haven't tried trail boss yet but it's been suggested. The load I used with the cast above was from Ken Waters and seems to work pretty good. Other results have been absolutely terrible with cast in that rifle.