A quick perusal of my Lyman manual shows a minimum charge for the 150 as 14 grains. All the bullets tested run between 14 and 19 grains. That gives 1605 fps from a 24” test barrel. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to think a 20” would drop that to 1500+.
Cast 30-30 Load for 135 Grain Bullet
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Charlie98
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No, I don't necessarily agree with your statement that 'is has been done, so it can be done.' Please forgive me, I'm not trying to nitpick, but that statement implies that just because someone else has done something, or you successfully have done something in the past, means that it's safe to continue to do so (insofar as reloading, since that is what we are talking about here.) Certainly you saw my statement that I thought 2400 was the better powder for reduced loads as well? In my fairly limited experience with pistol powder in rifle cartridges, and based on the QL data I've seen (generated for my specific loads in my rifles....) the slower the pistol powder, the better... to keep pressures, and particularly peak pressure, at a more manageable level. For this reason I don't normally recommend powders like Unique and RedDot over slower powders like 2400 or IMR4227 for reduced velocity rifle loads. As far as loading data, you know as well as I do that data is not an absolute... I've seen too many changes in published load data over the years, for various reasons.
What you were suggesting was reducing down from a already reduced data... I don't think that's a good idea, and particularly for a novice working with reduced rifle loads.
Another source for bullets is RimRock/Oregon Trail (same company, now.) I don't think they offer coated bullets, but at the velocities you will be shooting at, you don't really need it, nor a gas check. I've used their 170grn FN cast bullet for some years now with good results... sized for my bore, of course. I am also of the opinion that heavier bullets work better at lower velocities, depending on rifling twist, with the caveat that I don't think you would have a problem with your Marlin.
Charlie98
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In reality, and as you point out... the only money you really save is the cost of the bullet, and a marginal amount of powder. But... an inexpensive cast bullet and a thrifty amount of powder is probably as close as you can get to 'cheap FMJ range' ammos for the .30-30. I like shooting my lever-actions... finding a reasonable load for them seems a worthy cause. I ran out of IMR4198 earlier this year... and I was faced with going to 2400 or IMR4227, or up to the added recoil and velocity of IMR3031 in my cast rifle loads. Luckily, I scored 2# of H4198, which will tide me over for now.
I was hoping it was something that would work well with cast.
This isn't the right powder or bullet. But you can use it as a reference for later.
GooseGestapo
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More important than anything else; with the Marlin M336 you’ll want to size your bullets NO SMALLER than .310”.
I shoot .311” bullets in my Glenfield (Marlin) M30. It will go as high as 1400fps with the Lee 120gr RNGC WITHOUT a gas check. (Not pc, rather Lee liquid alox). About 8.0gr of Unique. With a GC,and SPG lube, I’ve gone as high as 32.0 gr of RL15 for 2,300 fps.
Secondly, max oal to function in a Marlin is 2.585”.
I also recommend a Lyman M-die and a Lee FCD (factory crimp die).
With 30.0 gr of RL15 or 27.0gr of 3031, the Lee .311” 150gr FNGC at 2,100fps shoots under 2” @100yds. A Lee mold will run you $30 now. A .311” sizer die $24. Less than 200 jacketed bullets.
I could have killed 95% of the big game I’ve taken over the past 47yrs since I bought my my first Lee mold... even unsized with LLA, over 7.5gr of Unique they’ll shoot minute of coke can and have killed deer... think .357mag revolver power!
A 150-170gr cast bullet is all you really need in a .30/30. A medium hard cast bullet performs about like a premium hunting bullet.
I shoot .311” bullets in my Glenfield (Marlin) M30. It will go as high as 1400fps with the Lee 120gr RNGC WITHOUT a gas check. (Not pc, rather Lee liquid alox). About 8.0gr of Unique. With a GC,and SPG lube, I’ve gone as high as 32.0 gr of RL15 for 2,300 fps.
Secondly, max oal to function in a Marlin is 2.585”.
I also recommend a Lyman M-die and a Lee FCD (factory crimp die).
With 30.0 gr of RL15 or 27.0gr of 3031, the Lee .311” 150gr FNGC at 2,100fps shoots under 2” @100yds. A Lee mold will run you $30 now. A .311” sizer die $24. Less than 200 jacketed bullets.
I could have killed 95% of the big game I’ve taken over the past 47yrs since I bought my my first Lee mold... even unsized with LLA, over 7.5gr of Unique they’ll shoot minute of coke can and have killed deer... think .357mag revolver power!
A 150-170gr cast bullet is all you really need in a .30/30. A medium hard cast bullet performs about like a premium hunting bullet.
I’ve been keeping an eye out for Unique but haven’t seen any in a long time. My friend that casts his 45 bullets uses Unique for his 9mm, but doesn’t cast for it.
I’ll keep an eye out for the various items I need for casting. Molds in common sizes are the hardest thing to get that I’ve seen.
I’ll keep an eye out for the various items I need for casting. Molds in common sizes are the hardest thing to get that I’ve seen.
I may be in trouble then. The bullets I ordered were sized at 0.309”. Why are the Marlins sensitive to such small differences in size?
GeoDudeFlorida
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GG was talking about max velocity loads. You are looking at minimum velocity loads. Standard size should be fine unless the bore of your rifle is over - which is not very likely but certainly possible. Now if you were shooting cast at high velocity for hunting - coated or lubed - then a very tight fit to the bore would be important to avoid leading.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Good advice but the OP is looking for recipes for very low velocity target shooting, not very high velocity hunting loads.
I have a load for 160 grain FTX bullets for hunting though I haven’t in many years. These cast loads are for fun and for the sake of learning how. I’m pretty new to reloading and somewhat overwhelmed by the possible variety in such a seemingly simple and straight forward cartridge.
GooseGestapo
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Not just max loads, but for any meaningful accuracy. The Microgroove barrels tend to have oversized bores due to rifling design.
In the future, order larger bullets.
I cast my own... no need to be beholden to manufacturer whims....
You’ll see many references to Microgroove barrels not being cast bullet friendly. It’s diameter dependent.
In the future, order larger bullets.
I cast my own... no need to be beholden to manufacturer whims....
You’ll see many references to Microgroove barrels not being cast bullet friendly. It’s diameter dependent.
Charlie98
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It will actually say on the barrel... but a quick look in the barrel with a bore light will tell you. FWIW, I've never had any problems with cast in MG barrels... the key is the properly sized bullet for the bore, combined with proper hardness.
I mentioned that I use the OregonTrail (LaserCast) 170grn .309" bullet... that is in my Savage 99 .308 rifle, and a 336 that I used to own, now owned by my friend who I load ammos for. The .309" bullet works well in those 2 rifles. I also bought a Savage 99 in .30-30... initial results with this bullet were terrible. This Savage is a takedown model, so I instantly started looking for problems with barrel lockup and such. Finally, in a last ditch effort, I bought a small lot of .310" bullets from Montana Bullet... *bam!* it was like magic. The groups went from about 16" at 100yds to 4"... just by bumping the bullet up .001"... so it DOES make a difference, and, no, it's not just the Marlins.
AJC1
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I've done and do exactly the same thing in 308. The case volume is less so the max charge would be less. Any of the magnum pistol powders will work with a few key exceptions like h110. The lyman 45th has loads I'm just away from my books.
http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Man...oading Handbook --- 44th Edition --- 1967.pdf
http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Man...oading Handbook --- 44th Edition --- 1967.pdf
GeoDudeFlorida
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Can't help you there because I've never tried Trail Boss. From what I read here and in other gun forums, Hodgdon's is real good about answering questions so you might place a call or send an email and ask for loading data from them. Tell them your bullet - maker, weight, profile, etc. - and your usage - close-range, informal target shooting - and see what they say. The CAS shooters have certainly done Yeoman's work on developing rifle loads for .30-30 using shotgun. pistol, ande older rifle powders that have become known as pistol powders (like I said, before there was such a thing as a magnum pistol, 2400 and 4227 were known as rifle powders). CAS and SASS shooters don't mess around with safety one bit so if it gets published by a national group, it's a tested load.
AJC1
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That's because the bullet is cast and speed limited not pressure limited
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