Xtreme 150 gr 30 cal FP 30-30

[joneb]

Xtreme sent me 30 ct 150gr plated FP to try in my Marlin 36 c w/a micro groove barrel. I attempted to to obey the speed limit of 1500 FPS with Blue Dot but I could not.

These loads shot 5" low and a bit to the right, the gun is sighted in for 150gr Jacketed standard loads for this cartridge.
There was no sign of bullet degradation when I cleaned the gun, so this velocity seems Ok for this bullet. Perhaps Unique would be a better option?
It was a windy day.

 

[FROGO207]

If you have some 2400 to try this would be a good propellant IMHO. I used Laser Cast 170 grain LFP bullets in my Marlin Micro Groove BBL with good results. A 150 grain lead bullet would need 16.0 grains to give 1,650 FPS. That is a Max load out of the 1995 Alliant reloading manual. The Blue Dot load would need to be at Max load (13.0 Grains )to burn well. The 2400 does not. They also list Reloader 7 as a good load (25.0 grains at 1,950 FPS as a Max load) I did not try this though. You do not want too fast a propellant as this would tend to strip the lead off the outside of the bullet and lead the bore. Other propellants in the 2400 range from other companies listed in a powder chart would be good candidates for lead/plated bullets if you can find data.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If that were a target I shot with my rifle and handloads I would change nothing.

 

[joneb]

I'm not sure why these Xtreme plated are only rated to 1500 fps I have used their 123 gr plated FP .311 for the 7.62x39 rated for 2000 fps with good results using H-4198.
I'm afraid using a slower powder like 2400 would require a higher velocity?
ArchAngelCD, maybe its the bullet but I get less than 1" groups at 100yds with a 125 Nosler BT in a bolt action .308 Win with 16gr of Blue Dot.

 

[jaysouth]

Adjust your sights and leave the load alone. You dun good there.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

ArchAngelCD, maybe its the bullet but I get less than 1" groups at 100yds with a 125 Nosler BT in a bolt action .308 Win with 16gr of Blue Dot.

A plated bullet is not a Nosler BT bullet. A 30-30 is not .308 and your levergun is not a bolt action rifle.

Again, with that rifle and bullet if I shot that target I would change nothing.

Even if that were a hunting load that is a dead deer all day long out to 200 yards. It's a very rare levergun that will do 1" groups at 100 yards, they are not bolt action rifles.

 

[Walkalong]

A plated bullet is not a Nosler BT bullet.

Absolutely. I tried that bullet in 300 BLK with Enforcer and at 1900ish FPS they missed the whole paper at 50 yards, and again at 1700ish FPS they did as well. I haven't slowed them down any further yet.

And I would ask what is the reasoning to this:

I'm afraid using a slower powder like 2400 would require a higher velocity?

 

[HankC]

Absolutely. I tried that bullet in 300 BLK with Enforcer and at 1900ish FPS they missed the whole paper at 50 yards, and again at 1700ish FPS they did as well. I haven't slowed them down any further yet.

And I would ask what is the reasoning to this:

Oh well, I bought 500 of it to try on 300 ACC, I guess no need to bother now! Save them for my 308 reduced load bolt gun! I am surprised that they did not do 1700 FPS!

 

[joneb]

And I would ask what is the reasoning to this:

I asked Xtreme about this bullet;
http://www.xtremebullets.com/308-s/48051.htm
They told me not to exceed 1500 fps, I thought with 2400 I would be too far past that number.
They tossed in 30 of these to try with my last bullet order.

 

[Walkalong]

You don't have to load 2400 to max, although it might get dirty if you have to go too low.

 

[res45]

2400 should work just fine,start with around 8 grs. and work your way up to around 11.0 grs. as a Max. load. The 11.0 gr. load will get up close to 1400+fps. range but I don’t think you will exceed 1500 fps.

As the web site states you can use high end cast data with those plated bullets,here are a few other loads from the Lyman cast bullet manual for 150 gr. bullets.

150 gr. cast bullet

Red Dot 6.8 grs. 1257 fps. 9.0 grs. 1481 fps.

Unique 7.5 grs. 1333 fps. 11.0 grs. 1691 fps.

SR-4756 8.0 grs. 1282 fps. 11.1 grs. 1573 fps.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Maybe the reduced H4895 loads will deliver more accuracy. I have used several including the 30-30 with good success.

 

[joneb]

Maybe the reduced H4895 loads will deliver more accuracy. I have used several including the 30-30 with good success.
Yesterday 04:53 PM

O here we go, now I need to order 500 of these to play with well I guess it would be a fun. I have Unique, 2400, IMR 4759, Accurate 5744 and a few others including H-4895 I could try.
I need to place another order with Xtreme I will consider getting more of these, but if someone has these that they would like to get rid of???

 

[ArchAngelCD]

O here we go, now I need to order 500 of these to play with well I guess it would be a fun. I have Unique, 2400, IMR 4759, Accurate 5744 and a few others including H-4895 I could try.

Happy to be if service lol.

 

[joneb]

If I try more plated bullets for the 30-30 Win. I will go this route; https://www.berrysmfg.com/item/bp-30-30-308-150gr-rnfp
They rate these to 1,950 fps.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Why not load lead bullets or coated lead bullets instead? They cost less and work very well for me. I shoot empty 12ga shells from 50 yards with 165gr lead bullets in my Marlin w/open sights. (and old eyes)

 

[joneb]

ArchAngelCD, I'm all ears. does your Marlin have a micro groove barrel?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

No, my Levergun has Ballard rifling but the coated bullets work just fine in a micro groove barrel. Several shooting buddies are using costed lead bullets in micro groove barrels ant to tell the truth, plain lead will work most times too.

I shoot lead bullets in my .357 Marlin and I think that barrel us micro groove but I can't remember for sure.