just got all my 30-30 reloading gear in the mail. advice sought on a pwder

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bhhacker

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I just got a Lee loader in the mail as well as a case trimmer, 200 cast bullets (165 grain, and 135) large rifle primer (federal #210), digital caliper, and the 49th edition lyman reloading book.







I have today off. Id really like to make a few rounds but havent bought any powder yet. What would be easiest to use with the little scoop that came with to make some plinking loads for my marlin 336w?


Is it not safe to do so until I am able to accurately measure stuff or is that scoop just fine?

I was thinking about picking up some 2400, Unique (i have a .40 cal i plan on reloadeing too) or 3031. What are your thoughts?

I will be shooting as much as I can, but mostly just for plinking right now. I will continue to use store bought bullets for hunting until i get more experience.
 
3031 is a fine, classic choice!

Reloader 7 and Reloader 15 work very well.
H335 and H4895 are great as well.

I'd stay away from 2400 or Unique.
 
THe dipper is safe if you use only the powders that are listed in the data included with your Lee die set.

You most certainly cannot use it for Unique or 2400 though.

If you want to load cast bullets at low velocity with pistol powder, you better buy some reloading scales first.

rc
 
I see in my lee loader paperwork that the only lead bullet they have is a 152 grain lead bullet is accur 2700 with a calculated velocity of 2056 fps velocity.


Isnt that a bit too fast with a lead bullet without a gas check?


I would think that from what ive read so far, that that would cause serious fouling of the barrel?


I have the #1 and #2 whitetail bullets that are 165 and 135 respectively.

I should be able to use the same load for a 165 grain lead bullet using the lee loaders 152 grain formula and have it shoot at a little bit lower fps as long as i use that accur 2700 right?


Forgive me if Im being ignorant, Im actually cracking open the lyman reloading manual right now. Theres so much to learn!
 
Read the manual, buy a scale and some 3031 and you will be good to go.
 
use the same load for a 165 grain lead bullet using the lee loaders 152 grain formula
Click to expand...
NO.

It is never a good idea to substitute a heavier bullet for a lighter one.

In the case of the Lee dipper data, it would probably be safe.

But you need to buy some powder scales if you are going to use any published data & components besides what Lee included on the die instruction sheet.

IMO: Trying to learn to reload bottle-neck rifle calibers using lead bullets was probably your first mistake.
You will probably soon find you need some way to flair the case to prevent the case mouth shaving lead off the bullets when you seat them.
The Lyman M-die comes highly recommended.

rc
 
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Agreed, stay away from those pistol powders for the 30-30. A handgun cartridge (straight walled) and bottle neck cartridge (30-30) are not 2 styles of cartridges that are easy to load with the same powder for.

An example of what I'm referring to is 2400 is a very good powder and slow burning powder for revolver cartridges such as a .357 mag and other magnum handgun cartridges. But for a rifle application it would be a pretty fast burning powder and would be difficult to manage for such. Finding a universal powder for 2 different styles of cartridges, one being bottle neck, the other straight walled, is going to be a rather difficult loading process to work with. Not that it can't be done by any means, but it would not be an ideal way to approach reloading for 2 very different cartridges as those, and especially for someone new to reloading.

GS
 
Pistol powders work fine in a 30-30 with cast bullets. I suggest buying the Lyman Cast Bullet and Lyman 49 manuals. You can also go to the GMDR site and click on the Oregon Trail data. For jacketed I would go with IMR-3031, IMR/H4895 or W748.

It is generally safe to use data for heavier bullets with lighter ones, but not the reverse. Before using any unpublished data it's always a good idea to call technical assistance at a powder or bullet company. I like the techs at Sierra. 1(800)223-8799

You might also check out Cast Boolits and the CBA inc Forum. If you join the CBA they will send you copies of the fouling shot. It will have the results of various CBA matches posted in it. The data includes the winning load data. At least one 30-30 is usually listed in the results.

http://www.gmdr.com/
http://www.castbulletassoc.org/forum/
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/

RC's right. Never handload without a means to weigh your charges.
 
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THe OP has the 49th edition Lyman reloading manual.

What he doesn't have is a set of scales so he can use any of the data in it.

rc
 
PLEASE PLEASE buy a scale before you try to load those lead bullets in the 30-30. It's so much safer than trying to guess your way through it.

I like IMR3031, H4895 and Hodgdon's newer Leverevolution powders in the 30-30. IMR3031 was developed for use in the 30-30 and works very well. BUT, you need to use the correct powder charge and there's really no way to do that easily with a dipper. Even a cheap $20 Digital scale will be better than guessing.

Please get a scale first...
 
You MUST get a powder scale, period, anything but Lee. Several good powders for 40SW(unique, w231 and others), 2400 is NOT one . I suggest you take your day off to go to the store and get a scale and 1# of H4895 & 1# of HP-38 or W231 (for the 40). H4895 is safe for youth reduced loads or full power. Works good for jacketed or cast. Unique and 2400 work well in 30-30 but you should start with rifle powder first. You will need .311 CBs in your marlin, .310 or .309 will work but probably not well. I assume you have the Lee dies for both cals. FL size the 30-30, then trim, chamfer the neck inside and out, just de-burring, If you have once-fired brass for the 30-30, trim to that length. 40 doesn't need trimming.
 
RL 7, RL 15, Tac, H335, W748, N130, H4895, BLC-2, IMR 4895, IMR 3031, IMR 4064,.....

Most any medium burning powder. Stick with known loads for the bullet you are using.
Good fun coming to you, BE SAFE and BE Methodological in your hand loading. Always full length size your brass for 30-30.

I have had the best luck with Winchester LR primers. CCI LR primers work in a pinch, but are more inconsistent in my experience. There isn't a need for Magnum primers in the 30-30. Not even with ball powders IMO unless you are hunting/shooting in Artic climates.

I prefer H4895, IMR 3031, and H335 for the 30-30. RL 15 is a good powder for 30-30, also. Do not use 2400 or Unique with your jacketed bullets IMO.
 
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Ok I will pick up a scale today.


Do any of you use the #1 and #2 whitetail missouri bullets? What loads do you guys use/recommend?


I am reading the manual as we speak and have only de primed the cases. Not touching the powders until i get a scale first
 
I have loaded 30-30 without a scale. The dippers can give you good hunting accuracy if done, methodological, like I said earlier.

For a scale, I like my Lyman 500. I wasn't expensive, but it is accurate, and settles quickly. Also get a powder trickle if you are going to weigh your rounds.

Load up some with the dippers, and go shoot, but like RC said, stick with the powders that the dipper calls for from the Lee load data sheet.
I would try some jacketed bullets first. The lead bullet might give you fits since you are just now starting. You will have to flare the case mouth, or you will shave the bullet, and you will not have any accuracy if that happens.

I still like to load 30-30 with the Lee Loader using a mallet and dippers. It is quick, and you can get some decent ammo out of them, but they only neck size, and IMO you really need to full length size your 30-30 cartridges if they are tube fed, and you plan on hunting with them. Nothing worse than having a lever gun lock up because your case will not fit the lifter from the tube.
 
bhhacker said:
Ok I will pick up a scale today.


Do any of you use the #1 and #2 whitetail missouri bullets? What loads do you guys use/recommend?


I am reading the manual as we speak and have only de primed the cases. Not touching the powders until i get a scale first
Click to expand...
Yes, I use the 165gr Missouri bullets in my 30-30 all the time. I'm using H4895 under those bullets and I find them to be very accurate. I'm getting ~1400 fps and no leading at all in my levergun.
 
How many grains are you using and where did you get your information on proper loads?


Will i need to crimp? it feels like i think i buy everything i need and theres always one more thing i need to get :banghead:
 
It should go without saying but you do know about needing flatnosed or the new polymer tipped designed bullets in tube fed magazines right?
Stay away from the pistol powders at least until you get some real experience, the
3031, BL-C(2) and 335 are some of my favorites. I like the 110gr speer hp bullets with 3031. I don't know what the little bullet is called but it doesn't have a point but rather is shaped like a pistol bullet and is flat at the tip so it will not be a hazard in the tube magazine.
 
If you are using them in a lever-action with a tube magazine, you need to crimp.

The seater die will do the crimp when properly adjusted.

rc
 
bhhacker said:
How many grains are you using and where did you get your information on proper loads?


Will i need to crimp? it feels like i think i buy everything i need and theres always one more thing i need to get :banghead:
Click to expand...
Yes, a crimp is necessary when used in leverguns.

Check for load data at the Hodgdon Load Data Site They don't list a 165gr bullet but the 160gr bullet is close enough to use. Also, Lyman has a new Cast Bullet Handbook which I feel is a necessity if you load cast bullets. That 4th Edition Handbook has more and different data than the full 49th Load manual by Lyman. (which is also a very good manual, I have both)
 
also, will i need to get the case flarer? loading cast bullets might cause them to get shaved right? Whats the official name for that?
 
also, will i need to get the case flarer? loading cast bullets might cause them to get shaved right? Whats the official name for that?
Click to expand...

You probably will. The expander die most often recommended is the Lyman M die. It's not the only one, but it's supposed to be the best. If you get the Lee die, I'd suggest ordering an oversized sizing stem or ball that matches(.002 under) your bullet diameter. The Lee die is a flaring die, not an expander.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/409943/lyman-neck-expander-m-die-30-caliber-short
http://www.midwayusa.com/find?newcategorydimensionid=15470&

CH4D also makes one.
http://www.ch4d.com/catalog/dies/expanding
 
I don't use the Lee loader. You can flare with NN pliers, closed and twist in the neck - doesn't take much. Then crimp to remove bell and prevent setback. The bullets you have are plain base so don't load them too hot, don't expect great accuracy right away. I started single loading in my 336, till I felt comfortable I had COL and everything right. Make sure every CB leaves the barrel!!! Watch the target or shine a light down the barrel. Make sure you put powder in every case. With your new scale you can weigh each loaded case to make sure, 2-3 gr. diff is OK, 10 gr diff is NOT. Take your time, learn as you go and UNDERSTAND what you learn. Mostly, be safe and most importantly have fun with your new hobby.
 
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