.30-30 loads

[len917]

Having a problem locating .30-30 bullets. Always used Hornady 170 gr FP jacketed bullets. There seem to be a 4-5 month delay in mfg. I am able to get 173 gr cast bullets. I load 3031 at 28 gr.
Should I increase or decrease the load based on 173 gr cast lead?
Thanks
Len

[DWalt]

Cast lead bullets work best when velocities are kept low, in order to prevent bore leading. I'd suggest not exceeding around 1600 ft/sec for non-gas check bullets. Faster propellents like 4227 and 2400 are ideal for lead bullet loads in the .30-30. You can go a little faster if you are using bullets with gas checks.

[rockquarry]

Get a Lyman book. Lots of .30-30 data for bullets in that weight range. If the bullets you buy fit, and are of the proper alloy for the load, and are gas checked, you may be able to approach jacketed bullet velocity and accuracy with cast bullets. If you like 3031, it should work fine with cast loads, but will require experimentation with charge weights and some group shooting.

[mtgianni]

It is so dependent on the lube and alloy used. I push my cast 170 gr bullets faster than jacket by about 50 fps per the book charge. I know what the alloy is, have a custom lube, sized to fit the barrel throat and well seated gas checks.
I would start at about 1500 fps and work to where you loose accuracy.

[Rogeronimo]

I've got 300 of your 170 gn hornady fp's on my bench, if it will get you out of a bind.

[Scharfschuetzer]

Rogeronimo is your buddy!

If you do shoot cast bullets:

1. Size to .309 or .310" diameter.
2. Lubricate with a good Lube. I use the old NRA Alox/Beeswax formula. You can buy it from Midwayusa.com
3. If using a non-gas check bullet, keep velocities below 1,300 fps or you may spend hours cleaning leading from your barrel.
4. If using a gas check bullet, best accuracy is obtained between 1,700 fps and 1,800 fps in most 1 in 12" twist rifles.
5. Standard 30/30 powders like 3031 and 4895 are useable in reduced charges for the above velocities. For best performance though, I like the old SR 4759 or IMR 4198 powders for cast bullets.
6. Accuracy equal to your jacketed bullets is easily achievable with the lead projectiles when the planets all line up for you.

[ArchAngelCD]

Lyman #50 lists the charge range of 21.5gr, to 27.0gr of 3031 under a 173gr cast bullet. I used to use IMR-4198 until I tried AA-5744 with cast bullets in the 30-30. I like 5744 the best now. You are fine with 3031 with jacketed bullets but with a cast bullet I suggest something a little faster like the other 2 powders I mentioned. Don't get me wrong, you can use 3031 but you might like the faster powder better.

[cowboy4evr]

My standard load , for best accuracy is 25 grs of 3031 with the 173 gr cast bullet . Have shot this load in Marlins with micro groove rifling , sized .311 and a 94 Winchester with the same results . My 94 Winchester has a fat throat area and takes the same sized cast bullet . Regards Paul

[len917]

Thanks-I appreciate it. If I can't get casts I'll PM you. I would only need about 100. More than that I'll run out of primers and powder. Never ends.
Len

[len917]

Received my 173gr lead FN bullets 3 grooves, lubed and gas check.
loaded them with 3031 26 gr. shot better than Hornady jacketed bullets.
If anyone wants to try these leads start with 25.5 up to 27. and your rifle will tell you which load it likes. Found 3031 in LGS now only need small pistol/rifle primers and I'll be fine for all my shooting

[Qc Pistolero]

guys at the range regularly come to me saying thet their 30-30 leads badly.When I look at their bullets,I almost always find that
A)they are cast hard,generally from ww or harder
B)they are sized at around .309

They normally start shooting them at 1500 to 1600fps and decrease to 1400 and still get leading.
I cast mine from a mixture of 25:1 left unsized.They come out at .311.I lube with 2 light coats of LLA(liquid Alox)and shoot them with 4198 at around 1550fps no gc(Accurate mould 31-155D) and no leading in any of my 5 30-30.
I admit that I am at the threshold of leading at 1550fps no gc but this is to say that guys tend to shoot bullets that are too hard and too small.Hardening the bullet will only create more leading if the bullet doesn't fit the throat and bore.

[Qc Pistolero]

another good load is from 11 to 13gr 2400 for noGC bullets.
2400 shoots extremely well with cast in many calibers.
The recipe is from Ed Harris who I consider a guru for shooting accurate cast(and I guess also j)bullets.

[cowboy4evr]

I also found that 26-28 grs of 4895 worked very well with a 173 gr cast gas checked bullet , properly sized according to the groove diameter of the barrel and the throat of the barrel . Just " assuming " the proper size is a terrible mistake of many . Regards Paul

[smoothshooter]

If you get powder coated ( painted lead ) you should be able to use the same powder charge as the jacketed bullets.

[smoothshooter]

Originally Posted by cowboy4evr

My standard load , for best accuracy is 25 grs of 3031 with the 173 gr cast bullet . Have shot this load in Marlins with micro groove rifling , sized .311 and a 94 Winchester with the same results . My 94 Winchester has a fat throat area and takes the same sized cast bullet . Regards Paul

What velocity do you think you are getting?

[cowboy4evr]

smoothshooter : from all that I have read I should be getting in the 1700's fps . Probably no more that 1750 fps . I don't have a chrono . Others results would vary , barrel length etc .
But , it is a very accurate combination . Others have had the same results from what I have read . If you are looking for a hunting load , it would definitely work , with correct shot placement . 28 grs of 4895 will get you up into the 1900's easily using the same cast bullet , and again very accurate . Regards Paul

[smoothshooter]

Do not use bullets that are too hard.