Hornady Interlock 150gr RN in 30-30win with H4895?

[Jech]

Anybody have any 30-30win load data for #3035 Hornady Interlock 150gr RN bullets using Hodgdon H4895? My 7th edition load book from Hornady doesn't list H4895 and Hodgdon's website doesn't list much for a 150gr other than "SIE FN" which I've never heard of.

Thanks ~ Jech

 

[NCsmitty]

The SIE FN is a Sierra bullet and the Hodgdon data listed for it, will be fine to use. Basically bullet weight counts more than bullet brand. Both weigh 150gr, so if you use starting loads and work up, you will be ok.
I use H4895 with the 160gr Hornady FTX 30-30 bullet.



NCsmitty

 

[Jech]

Being a neophyte when it comes to loading for rifle cartridges, what increments should I be using to work up a load? I've found several sources now that either start at 27gr or 30gr and all max out at 34gr with a 150gr jacketed round nose soft point. Using 0.2gr increments with 5 rounds per test load seems incredibly tedious and expensive comparing to the 45auto loads I'm used to working with.

I don't have a double disk kit for my Lee Classic Cast Turret Press / Autodisk Pro so I'm taking the charge desired, cutting the number in half and double-dropping then measuring each charge for consistency.

 

[Tom609]

I'd start low and use full grain increments.

 

[[email protected]]

my lee manual shows 30.5 as a starting load and 34.0 as max with a min col of 2.550. the 34 gn shows to be compressed. it doesn't list a certin bullet just jacket bullet so work up a load safely

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

I've found several sources now that either start at 27gr or 30gr and all max out at 34gr with a 150gr jacketed round nose soft point. Using 0.2gr increments with 5 rounds per test load seems incredibly tedious and expensive comparing to the 45auto loads I'm used to working with.

Divide the difference by 5. In this case 34-27=7. Divide 7 by 5 to get 1.4. Increase each test by 1.4gr and work your way into it. Once you find the one that works best, then you can vary that load by .2gr or so to zero in on the sweet spot.

You have to realize that when you're dealing with different powders an exact number just doesn't work. .2gr of W-748 just isn't the same as .2gr of Unique.

 

[Jech]

I loaded five rounds each of 29gr, 31.5gr, 33gr and 34gr of H4895 then another five rounds of 10.5gr of Unique. All went smoothly, the 34gr was indistinguishable from the Winchester Super-X 150gr Power Points I also had with me. Aside from a drastically altered point of impact, the 10.5gr of Unique was more fun than should be allowed!

Sadly, I was having issues with the adjustable buckhorns so nothing was grouping very well. Gonna throw an old Bushnell Banner 3.5x-10x I have on it and see if that gives me the boost I need.

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

Aside from a drastically altered point of impact, the 10.5gr of Unique was more fun than should be allowed!

Ha! You're right about that!

 

[GooseGestapo]

My older brother has for many years used 33.5gr of H4895 with the 150gr Hornady in his post '64 Win M94. He's taken Alabama,Georgia, and Montana whitetails and several Montana Mule deer, not to mention quite a few feral pigs in E.Georgia.

He has used many, many pounds of H4895 loading for his M1-NatMatch, so he simply used the same powder since he always has it on hand.

The H4895 is as good a powder as you can run through the .30/30. The only ones that are close or better are Win748/BLC2, Reloader15, and the new LVR.
I've used about everything out there except the new LVR and I prefer RL15, but the H4895 is almost as good.

Any thing at or below 34.0gr is good. If you get "sticky" extraction, back down a little.

Backed out primers tells you that you are over sizing the brass. Only slightly "touch" the shoulder on your previously fired brass and you won't get the backed out primers. (I see a LOT of factory ammo yeilding backed out primers- it dosen't mean the loads too hot..) It means the pressure is causing the case to "grab" the sides of the chambers but is not high enough to cause the case head thrust to stretch the case back to the bolt face, and, in the process re-seat the primer causing a "flattened" primer. A flattened primer tells you -you are past acceptable pressures, but will usually be accompanied by a "cratered" firing pin hole on the .30/30..... BTDT too.

Brass that hasn't been fired in your rifle should be sized just enough that it will easily chamber in your rifle.

A .30/30 with "warmish" loads with the Hornady bullet is adequate for practically anything in N.America. I'd prefer more gun for elk, moose, and grizzly/brown bears, but, I've seen a lot of Alaskan "locals" that carry an M94 in .30/30 for bear repellant. They wouldn't, if it didn't work.......with a well placed shot...

 

[Jech]

Backed out primers tells you that you are over sizing the brass. Only slightly "touch" the shoulder on your previously fired brass and you won't get the backed out primers. (I see a LOT of factory ammo yeilding backed out primers- it dosen't mean the loads too hot..) It means the pressure is causing the case to "grab" the sides of the chambers but is not high enough to cause the case head thrust to stretch the case back to the bolt face, and, in the process re-seat the primer causing a "flattened" primer. A flattened primer tells you -you are past acceptable pressures, but will usually be accompanied by a "cratered" firing pin hole on the .30/30..... BTDT too.

I noticed some backing out primers on a few of them handloads that I had full-length sized. Gonna try the next batch neck-sizing them only and see how that goes...tumbled and neck sized but lacking bullets/powder/primers, they rechamber just fine, no issues with lockup or springy ejection.

 

[Jech]

Hmmm...just found some data for the 150gr bullet I've been working with in Lyman's 49th ed. It lists a 2.540" OAL followed by 26.5gr as the starting load at 1944fps and 30.5k CUP, 30.0gr max at 2145fps and 37.4k CUP.

I didn't see any pressure signs in the primers, brass or level function when I was shooting 34gr which is 4gr over Lyman's listed max. Now I'm worried about sleeper pressure issues.

 

[kelbro]

You have to be careful when interpreting 30-30 book data. Several of the books show that they used a test barrel with a bolt action. These will often take more pressure than a lever-action will withstand.

Start low and work up slowly. When you see pressure signs on your 30-30 brass, you are likely well past max.

 

[Jech]

Universal receiver with a 24" barrel in this book.