Powder for .30-30?

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wanderinwalker

wanderinwalker

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Okay, let me start this by stating in am NOT a new loader, but I am looking to short-cut my regular "try a dozen different combos" approach to finding a pet load for a new rifle.

What I want to do is replicate factory 150gr .30-30 Winchester loads as closely as possible for my new Marlin 336BL. The suitable powders I have on hand are Varget, H4895, RL-15, RL-7 and Win 748. (Think ONE of these should work? :rolleyes: ) The bullets I have selected for now are the 150gr Sierra Prohunter FPs. I already plan on doing these over a chronograph with factory loads as a control.

Short cut, looking at load data, ALL of these powders will replicate or come close to matching factory loads. So what are some of the board's favorites?

Thanks all!
 
I like Varget for 30-30 (and everything else it works in)

according to my notes you should have no problem replicating factory velocities with it. YMMV
 
What I want to do is replicate factory 150gr .30-30 Winchester loads as closely as possible for my new Marlin 336BL
Click to expand...


I have loaded 30-30 for a long time, and this is what I wanted to do as well. The absolute best I could do, and actually beat the accuracy of the factory 150 Winchester is this load from my Marlin 336W.

Winchester Brass
Winchester LR Primer
33.0 grains H4895
Winchester Bulk 150 grain PP

Loaded to the same length as the factory round. I can put cloverleafs at 100 yards with this load.

I tried H335 and 748, but they did not shoot the 150 grain bullet as accurate as H4895. Now with a 170 the ball powders do better for me.

This is where I would start.
 
Thanks all! I'll have to check the powder jugs to see which one has the most in and start there I guess. :eek:

Eb1,

That is exactly what I was thinking. I was originally going to get a bunch of Remington or Winchester bullets for it, but Midsouth didn't have the Corelokts in stock when I made my last order, so it was Sierras instead.

It's odd, this is probably the first rifle to reside in my safe where I don't want to try every bullet, powder and primer combo for it. I just want to make something that equals the factory ammo, make a couple hundred up, practice with it and take it hunting this fall. But don't worry, when my AR match gun gets rebarreled again, I will embark on looking for THE load once more... ;)
 
I shot a deer with the Winchester PP right at the base of its neck from a 15 foot stand. I found it in the skin behind the right ham. It had expanded to .753 (I have pics to prove it) and the deer went down. It was with the load I mentioned above. The deer was about 190 lbs.

I have given up on Sierra FN bullets. I placed a couple in the right spots with there 170 grains, and I never found the deer. Tracked for ever. Shots at about 40 yards. Now Sierra 125 grain HPFN. That is a deer slayer.

I hunted last year in a pasture, and shots could go to 400 yards. I bought a 25-06, and I don't think I am going to ever look for another deer rifle. Love my 30-30s, and they get the job done. I will still use them, but after seeing how the 25-06 takes the life out of two deer at 300 yards. I am stuck on it.
Good luck with your 30-30. I am sure one of mine will be out to put some meat in the freezer this year as well.
 
I've been using IMR3031 and it's been working well for me. It won't deliver the highest velocities but it's very accurate. I've used H4895 with good success too. (but then again what doesn't H4895 do well?)
 
Winchester Model 94 30-30, mostly hunt wooded areas in Western PA, rarely shooting much past 150 yds, literally knocked bucks over with these loads.

H4895 33g w/ Sierra FN 150gr
H4895 29.5g w/ Sierra FN 170gr

I use Varget for other calibers but haven't yet tried it on my 30-30, no reason to change as I've been very satisfied with H4895.
 
When I was learning to reload many years ago, my teacher told me to have two powders; Bullseye and 4895. He said you can reload almost anything you are likely to come across with them. I have a broader taste for powders now, but still use 4895 for .30-30
Generally speaking I try to use the slowest burning powder that fills the volume of the case the most while achieving the velocity I want.
 
Yes, RL-15 is an awesome 30-30 powder as well as in .223. I just never shot much of it. Had someone give me the bottom of a can once, but there are so many .223 loaders here that you can't find it like you can H4895. RL-15 will give you the most velocity out of a 30-30, just make sure it is the most accurate. 150 fps isn't going to do anything if you can't hit where you want. Not saying you wont, but you know....
 
I like the IMR 3031 best for both jacketed and cast. But you may as well try what you have first. Then if you're not happy, get some IMR 3031 and give it a try.
 
Of the powders you already have, with 150 gr bullets, 748 is ideal, with 4895 and RL-7 being tied for second place. The .30-30 ain’t real picky, any of your powders would work.

Just duplicating factory velocity is setting your sights to low, IMO. With the right powder, you should be able to easily exceed factory velocity and still keep pressure well under SAAMI max.
 
Well, I have made up a batch with H4895, bracketing the 33.0gr charge. I've seen 33-34gr recommended as a good factory duplicate, and I figured that's where I'd start. So you know, I decided which powder to use based on a very complicated grading of A) Which jug was most full and B) Which jug is NOT getting used in something else currently. It came down to 4895 and RL-7, with 4895 winning based on full-ness! :scrutiny:

Now, to get a weekend where I am NOT shooting up some of my Reloder 15 in .223 loads from my AR Service Rifle, then we'd be in business. Actually, not shooting the mouse gun this weekend, but there's the NH State Garand Match. More fun than load development! :neener:
 
To duplicate Winchester factory ammo, use 35.7gr of Win748. It's what the factory uses. (I've pulled several different lot#'s). Also, use the Winchester 150gr PowerPoint bullet, Winchester LR primers, and Winchester cases trimmed to equal length. (most of the OFB will need to be trimmed). Also, use the Lee factory crimp die and crimp into the cannulure. Yeilds about 2,275fps. (37.5gr is max for about 2,375fps w/20"bbl).

To duplicate the 170gr load, you'll have to use the Remington 170gr Corlokt. No Winchester 170's are available.

Personnaly, I use 36.0gr of RL15 and Rem 150gr CorLokts. Same POI/POA, but 120fps faster (2,275fps vs 2,400fps), but shoots flatter past 100yds. (not to mention MOA accurate from my Marlin/Glenfield M30). I use 34.0g of RL15 with the Remington 170gr RN. Careful with an older or non-Winchester/Marlin rifle. These are max recommended loads but are not what I consider "HOT".

Yes, the Sierra 170gr RN is too hard for the .30/30. I too have lost deer well hit with it. But one was drilled through the heart. He made it about 100yds before laying down. No blood trail, just a mound of froth above the exit wound (about 0.30" dia.). Punched a rib in, and a rib out. (Yeah, there were a few drops, but if I hadn't seen him run the circle through some planted pines and fall in front of me moments before I was going to shoot again, I'd have lost him too.

Besides working very well on smaller deer, I've taken pigs up to 200lbs with the 125r Sierra FNHP. One of my favorite .30/30 bullets. (#3- Remington 150 and 170gr tied for 1st). Never recovered one of the little Sierra's. Out to 100yds, it makes the .30/30 perform just like the .257Roberts or .25/06.

But, the 130gr Speer is too hard too...........
 
What do you think would be a good starting load with a hornady 170 grain?

for 125 sierra flat point, I found it works well at 32.5 grains

seems to burn cooler than varget so I'll keep with it

the haz-mat fee made a pound of win 748 about $80!
accurate seemed to burn close, and
was in stock, so I figured, what the hell, I'll give it a shot:D
 
powder for .30-30

My Marlin .30-30 is my favorite deer rifle. I get one every year with it, and don't plan to change. They were designed to fire a 170 gr bullet, so that is what I load : 170 gr Speer flat point; Remington brass; Winchester LR primer and 29.4 of H322. I get 2150 and 1745 fp. Clover leaf groups. 322 is a BR shooter's powder, and it works for me. Might work for you too; who knows?
 
I forgot to mention, that I used accurate 2460 in the last post
I'm thinking about using this powder with the 170 grain.

but theres no published data for this recipie
maybe some one has tried this combo before?
I'm thinking I should start with 25 grains and look for signs of pressure.
does any one have a minimum load for this combo?
 
Yes, the Sierra 170gr RN is too hard for the .30/30. I too have lost deer well hit with it. But one was drilled through the heart. He made it about 100yds before laying down. No blood trail, just a mound of froth above the exit wound (about 0.30" dia.). Punched a rib in, and a rib out. (Yeah, there were a few drops, but if I hadn't seen him run the circle through some planted pines and fall in front of me moments before I was going to shoot again, I'd have lost him too.
Click to expand...

Not to really go off topic, but I agree. I have lost deer with this bullet with the exact same results. I will never use this bullet for deer. Moose maybe. :)


All of the powders listed here are great 30-30 powders. Not a real picky cartridge to load. I think you will find the crimp to be one of the key factors to your accuracy. This and OAL will play a ton in your accuracy results. Barrel band tension, or lack of tension. Barrel cooling while testing your loads. Are all key factors. Sand bags near the receiver. Powder is not the issue with the 30-30 IMO. It is these other parts of the load testing that make for a challenge. Then again. Somethings just work without explanation. Like my load with the 125 gr HPFN from Sierra. Only goes 2150 fps, but drops deer dead in the woods. DROPS DEER DEAD!
 
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