loading 30-30 for win 94

[kennedy]

looking to reload for my 1956 win 94 30-30, friend gave me 500 165 gr lead round nose flat point. I have H4895 and varget, having a problem finding a recipe. What I have found out is the loads for lead vs jacketed are a lot less, any one have a load I can work on? thinking about 17 gr of h4895, about 1350 fps.

 

[AJC1]

looking to reload for my 1956 win 94 30-30, friend gave me 500 165 gr lead round nose flat point. I have H4895 and varget, having a problem finding a recipe. What I have found out is the loads for lead vs jacketed are a lot less, any one have a load I can work on? thinking about 17 gr of h4895, about 1350 fps.

No idea why they stop at 21, that's way down on max pressure and common lead speed limits. If your bullets are plain base they work better near minimum.

 

[Charlie98]

I threw some generic figures into QuickLoad... 17grn H4895 and a generic Lee 160grn bullet only produces about 1100fps... at about 7K psi. 21grn shows 1400fps @ about 11600psi. Obviously, Hodgdon's data (noted by John above) and the QL data is not even in the same ballpark. The good news is H4895 is safe to download off the jacketed data, so I would proceed off Hodgdon's published data, as shown above... and see what it nets you.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Not all Lead bullets are equal!
If they are gas checked, you can run almost to max velocity of jacketed bullets in the .30/30. If not, about 1,500fps is maximum.
I cast and shoot a lot of .30/30. Most are “mouse fart” loads. But all are gas checked so powder charge doesn’t matter.
If using H4895 with a NON gaschecked bullets, I’d use the minimum listed load. Typically, I use either RedDot, GreenDot, Unique, or #2400 for these level loads.

But, using the higher velocity loads with a NON Gaschecked bullet will result in terrible accuracy and a badly leaded barrel.

 

[Charlie98]

But, using the higher velocity loads with a NON Gaschecked bullet will result in terrible accuracy and a badly leaded barrel.

Not always... there are a number of factors that go into 'terrible accuracy and a badly leaded barrel,' and they don't necessarily have to be because the bullet isn't GC'ed. The OP didn't really give much info on the bullets he has... so we don't really know. I do agree it's a good idea to start in the lower velocity range and work your way up, if desired, and particularly with bullets you may not know the whole story on (that is... hardness, alloy, size.) Indeed... all cast bullets are not equal.

 

[kennedy]

thanks you all for your help, here is a pic of the bullets, no gas check, even though looks like one could be added, any way I have loaded lead in 38sp and 45lc for years, but the velocity was never an issue , first time loading for a rifle

 

[AJC1]

thanks you all for your help, here is a pic of the bullets, no gas check, even though looks like one could be added, any way I have loaded lead in 38sp and 45lc for years, but the velocity was never an issueView attachment 1169004, first time loading for a rifle

In my win 94 I shoot .310. If you have a 308 those would make better plinking ammo. Your best option if you don't is to run a faster pistol powder trying to force opteration, but that beveled base is working against you.

 

[Charlie98]

I've shot thousands of Meister bullets... mostly in .41MAG. Those are not gas check bases, they are standard bevel base bullets... typical of mass produced cast bullets. I do agree with John, however, that if those are actually sized to .308", you probably aren't going to get the best accuracy out of them in .30-30... but you never know, every firearm is different.

As I mentioned, I would start low... your 17grn H4895 is likely a good place.... and just see what the rifle tells you.

Just my .02 worth... and I'm guessing you are trying to use what you have on hand... but a faster powder like IMR4198 or even IMR4227 would likely work better... by giving you a quicker peak pressure to obturate the base, burn more completely, and at a higher pressure. IMR4198 is my magic dust for almost all my cast rifle cartridges, including the .45-70.

 

[AJC1]

What powders do you have?

 

[kennedy]

h4895 and varget

 

[GooseGestapo]

Not always... there are a number of factors that go into 'terrible accuracy and a badly leaded barrel,' and they don't necessarily have to be because the bullet isn't GC'ed. The OP didn't really give much info on the bullets he has... so we don't really know. I do agree it's a good idea to start in the lower velocity range and work your way up, if desired, and particularly with bullets you may not know the whole story on (that is... hardness, alloy, size.) Indeed... all cast bullets are not equal.

I’ve been shooting cast bullets for 45yrs. My vast experience says anything over 1500fps WILL lead horribly unless gaschecked or coated…

I suggest the op go over to www.castboolits.gunloads.com
Much better knowledge of cast bullets

 

[Charlie98]

I’ve been shooting cast bullets for 45yrs. My vast experience says anything over 1500fps WILL lead horribly unless gaschecked or coated…

Ooookay.

I run commercially cast cheapo bullets out of my Marlin .41MAG at 1700fps... no problems. I pumped 700 rounds through it one weekend without cleaning... the barrel was foul, but not leaded. I have other examples, but I won't bore you with the details. There is more to severe leading than just running bullets too fast.

 

[Ranger99]

just my opinion

trade em off for some jacketed
bullets that you can use with less
difficulty
there's an easy solution for many things

 

[DMW1116]

Do you have any Titegroup, W231, Red Dot, or similar powders? I use W231 & Titegroup with cast and coated 135 grain bullets below about 1400 fps. Maybe well below that, but I’ve never chronographed them. Search for 30-30 Short Ramge and 30-30 Miniature for more information. I also shoot 135 and 165 grain C&C bullets with low charges of H335 (14-16 grains) and keep velocity in the 1300-1400 range based on older published data. If that works I’m sure H4895 would work too.

 

[DMW1116]

Advice on reduced 30-30 loads

Hey guys, I'm looking for some advice. I'm planning on this coming fall being my daughter's first year behind the trigger of the 30-30 for deer season. She has quite a bit of practice shooting her .22 cricket but now it's time to start her on centerfire rounds. I'd like to transition her to full...

www.thehighroad.org

Here is the link with the published old data for 30-30 cast. I’ve used the 130 and 170 data with success. Lower charges of H4895 are also there.

 

[dobedo]

Here is a good website for all reloading info.

Shooter's Reference Load Data for .30 - 30 Winchester

 

[AJC1]

h4895 and varget

I was talking about pistol or shotgun powders if you load for anything else.... I loaded 40 rounds with blue dot last night. Those are super fun to shoot.

 

[kennedy]

ok, I have universal and winchester WSF

 

[AJC1]

ok, I have universal and winchester WSF

Download GRT and run a load of 9-11 grains of wsf and see if you like the numbers. Universal will be even less of a charge so I'd avoid it. Some people swear by unique, but I've been most pleased by magnum pistol.

 

[AJC1]

Some data

 

[murray brook]

In my M94 I use the 170 gr Hornady FN with 31grs of IMR4320. Vel is 2010 ft/sec. Works well in my rifle. I also crimp with the Lee FC.

 

[AJC1]

In my M94 I use the 170 gr Hornady FN with 31grs of IMR4320. Vel is 2010 ft/sec. Works well in my rifle. I also crimp with the Lee FC.

From what I hear imr4320 was a varget speed powder that should have been more popular, but is now discontinued. I'd like to see it return.