Light loads for paper punching at 100 yards!

[andym79]

I want to develop a light and accurate load for a 165grn lead projectile in the cartridge .30-30, for lever action competition out to 100, punching paper!

I don't want to have to bother with gas checks so I am looking for velocities below 1400fps.

I have got a couple of old Lyman manuals that recommend Red Dot starting a 6.5grn and Unique for light loads. Trailboss is a more recent addition. From what I have read Red Dot has given some very good groups at 50 and 100, but Unique not so much!

Can anyone please share their experiences of using any of these powders for lever action shooting?

Also all the data that I can obtain is for 150, 160, 170 and 173grn projectiles. Nowhere can I find a load for the 165gr (HRBC) RNFP projectile, given the different mass and profile of the projectile, is it okay just to extrapolate?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I think I have exactly what you're looking for. I load a 165gr Lead bullet over 21.0gr H4895 and in my Marlin that load develops 1340 fps. I get no leading at all and it's an accurate load in my rifle.

 

[andym79]

I load a 165gr Lead bullet over 21.0gr H4895 and in my Marlin that load develops 1340 fps

I looked in to the H4895 reduced load, but the extrapolation gave me a higher velocity, if the bullet moves that speed its back in the mix!

 

[popper]

What are your restrictions or requirements for competition shooting? Why such a heavy bullet for paper punching? 110 gr soup can or carbine bullets may work. Check LASC site for a lot of info. The 100 gr plinker with unique is good for me. Some like 2400 or TB better.

 

[dagger dog]

Why not try Trailboss?

It's easy to work up a starting load,make a mark on the outside of the case where the base of the bullet would be when seated in the case, fill the case to that mark with Trailboss. Empty the case onto your scale and record that weight, take 70% of the measured weight and use that as a starting load, then work up to the max load in 5 steps.

It's imperative that you don't compress Trailboss. They may even have load data for your 30/30 on the Alliant site.

The powder is designed so that it can't be misused if you follow the guide lines.Plus it gives excellent results in accuracy.

 

[res45]

For backyard plinking and target shooting I use 7.0 grs. Red Dot with no filler and the Lee 170 gr. RNFP gas check bullet cast from straight WW alloy. I just shoot the bullet as cast with the GC left off and two light coats of Alox/JPW lube.

Lyman data with 170 gr. RNFP Red Dot 6.8 grs. 1257 fps. 9.0 grs. 1481 fps.

Several of my friends shoot the same load in a variety of 30-30 rifle with equal or better results and none of us get any leading.

50 Yds.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I looked in to the H4895 reduced load, but the extrapolation gave me a higher velocity, if the bullet moves that speed its back in the mix!

That load is listed on the Hodgdon Load Data Site with a 160gr Cast bullet and a reported velocity of 1562 fps. I didn't get that velocity when shot from my Marlin levergun. As usual the real world velocity is considerably lower than the load data lists.