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  #1  
Old 06-26-2022, 02:55 PM
gsfxst gsfxst is offline
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Default 30-30 load

I have some 165 RNFP 309 dia. bullets there 18 brindle by Missouri bullet com. i cant seen to find good starting data for 165 hard cast. im short on powder I have on hand Unique, SR 4759,IMR 4064,ACC 5744.Any one have starting loads for any of this powders. or a load that works good.
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Old 06-26-2022, 03:05 PM
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With my 170 grn RNFP bullets, I have used 10 grains of Unique with great results. Some of my friends use 12 gr however, this is for side matches of SASS.
My Winchester M 94 shoots the first load very well.
Randy
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Old 06-26-2022, 03:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gsfxst View Post
I have some 165 RNFP 309 dia. bullets there 18 brindle by Missouri bullet com. i cant seen to find good starting data for 165 hard cast. im short on powder I have on hand Unique, SR 4759,IMR 4064,ACC 5744.Any one have starting loads for any of this powders. or a load that works good.
Lyman cast bullet manual #4 has data for at least three of the powders mentioned. Use data for either Lyman #311291 round nose or #311041 flat nose. Both are around 170 grs. in #2 alloy (15 BHN), close enough in hardness and weight to what you have, but I'd still start with beginning loads.
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Old 06-26-2022, 03:35 PM
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.309 may be a little small in diameter, but I’ve had good luck with a .310/165 and 5.5 Red Dot.
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Old 06-26-2022, 07:49 PM
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Unique would be the best choice, but you can safely go up to 12 grains if you want to experiment. My experience has been that the 165 grain non-gas check lead bullets from MBC in my M94 gives disappointing grouping with any load I have tried. They may shoot better in your gun.

Last edited by DWalt; 06-26-2022 at 07:57 PM.
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Old 06-26-2022, 08:29 PM
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If the all lead bullet does not work for you, you might give these a try.
They worked great in my 30-06 for a 50 yard plinker, for the kids.

No recoil or ear muffs needed.

Not saying they are slow but after the shot and a short pause, you hear the bullet hitting the paper target out at 100 yards !!


Last edited by Nevada Ed; 06-26-2022 at 08:31 PM.
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Old 06-26-2022, 09:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt View Post
Unique would be the best choice, but you can safely go up to 12 grains if you want to experiment. My experience has been that the 165 grain non-gas check lead bullets from MBC in my M94 gives disappointing grouping with any load I have tried. They may shoot better in your gun.
This has been my experience too.

Dan
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Old 06-26-2022, 10:35 PM
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Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook
30-30 169gr cast lead Lyman #311291
SR-4759 powder
Starting load 14.8gr....1530fps....19,900cup
Max load 18.5gr....1862fps......36,100cup
****they state they used CCI 200 primers for their loading****

Unique Powder
Same Bullet
Starting load 7.0gr.....1211fps.....19,800cup
Max load 10.6gr......1568fps.....36,000cup
** No primer specified**

I use RedDot Powder.
Same manual lists:
Starting load 6.5gr .....1145fps,,,,,24,600cup
Max load 8.5gr.....1363fps.......34,500cup
***No primer specified****

Very accurate in a Marlin Model 1893 SCR and a Savage Model 1899 rifle and doesn't beat you up.
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Old 06-26-2022, 11:02 PM
Mike, SC Hunter Mike, SC Hunter is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2152hq View Post
Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook
30-30 169gr cast lead Lyman #311291
SR-4759 powder
Starting load 14.8gr....1530fps....19,900cup
Max load 18.5gr....1862fps......36,100cup
****they state they used CCI 200 primers for their loading****

Unique Powder
Same Bullet
Starting load 7.0gr.....1211fps.....19,800cup
Max load 10.6gr......1568fps.....36,000cup
** No primer specified**

I use RedDot Powder.
Same manual lists:
Starting load 6.5gr .....1145fps,,,,,24,600cup
Max load 8.5gr.....1363fps.......34,500cup
***No primer specified****

Very accurate in a Marlin Model 1893 SCR and a Savage Model 1899 rifle and doesn't beat you up.
Do you use a filler to keep those small charges back against the primer?
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Old 06-26-2022, 11:02 PM
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311041 GC bullet and I load 11 gr of Unique. I have found GC bullets DO shoot better than plain based. I too have used the Red Dot load but I loaded to shoot a deer or two in the yard under the apple trees. It is a little light. I have used 'em in a 336 Marlin 64 Winchester a Rem 788 as well as a Winchester 54 I had. They all shot them well. I also used the load in a Savage 340 just to chase snow geese off my winter wheat fields. I even killed one of them at an easy 250 yds...Just shooting over top of 'em. Made 'nuff noise anyway...at least 5000 in the field!
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Old 06-26-2022, 11:35 PM
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I’ll check my book but I don’t have Unique load for 30/30. Most of mine are IMR- 3031 or 4198. Lighter bullets like 115gr & lighter with ball powder. I load light bullets hot for varmits.
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Old 06-27-2022, 12:57 AM
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Using 170gr cast bullet data is perfectly safe for a 165gr cast bullet.

Of the powders you listed I recommend you use IMR 4759. You will like the results. (you are luck to still have some) Since I no longer have any 4759 I use H4198 for those exact 165gr cast bullets with very good success.

I use AA5744 for cast bullets in the 45-70 so I have been meaning to try it in the 30-30 but just haven't gotten to it. I'm betting that will work very well too.
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Old 06-27-2022, 09:07 AM
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I have about 5 lbs of 5744. Use it in my Savage Smokeless powder ML. Never tried it in 30-30. Bet it would be a good load
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Old 06-27-2022, 09:42 AM
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SR4759 has always given me good results with cast bullets in rifle cartridges from .30-30 through .375 H&H. It is a moderately bulky powder and fillers are not needed. Alas, Hogdon saw fit to discontinue it.
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Old 06-27-2022, 10:54 AM
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Accurate 5744 is a great powder for cast lead bullets and the 30-30 .
The following data is from Western Powder's Load Data Guide edition 7.0

30-30 winchester , 170 gr. cast lead RN-FP (use data to load 165 gr. L bullet is safe). Acc 5744 powder

Starting Load - 19.8 grs. @ 1791 fps.

Maximum Load - 22.0 grs. @ 2035 fps

Unique is a good powder also but be sure to try 5744 ...it just might surprise you !

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Old 06-27-2022, 12:49 PM
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You are on the right track. IDK about 4064 with a lead boolit, but those other powders should work fine.
For plain-base I've used Red Dot and Unique. For gas checked I like 4759. Some years ago I won a buffalo shoot with my 94 and cast boolits. We were shooting silhouettes at 200 yards. The trophy adorns my reloading bench.
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Old 06-27-2022, 01:54 PM
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Played with my first hand loaded 30-30 ammo yesterday. I was running hardcast 170gr lead flat points w/o gas checks and Unique. Used 7gr, 8gr, 10gr and 11gr. Was just shooting at steel plates to test them out for recoil. I use the 10 and 11gr load all the time for 200gr lead in 44 handguns, so wanted some comparison. All seemed to shoot just fine and the only real noticeable difference in recoil was between 7gr and jumping to 11gr, otherwise they all seemed pretty equal. Might save a penny or fraction of a penny between these loads, but I am thinking I will just use the nice round number of 10gr going forward. It was just too darn hot out to continue to walk back and forth or too get comfortable enough to shoot off a bench to test for accuracy---always next weekend when it might be cooler out.
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Old 06-27-2022, 03:33 PM
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I really like Unique! I buy it in the 8 pound "Suite Case" size jug. Lyman loading manual #45 has a Unique load for every cartridge made in 1977! That is a must have book on your library! It was also my 28-gauge powder, until Longshot came around!

For years I loaded the gas checked version of Lyman 3118 (117 grain w/GC) in 30-30 I've never owned a Winchester 94 or Marlin 336 in 30-30. I had a Savage 340 and do have a Savage 24 (30-30/20 Gauge) and that bullet is murder on groundhogs! I've hollow-pointed the bullet with an 1/8" cavity and exploded their furry little bodies all over the garden!

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Old 06-27-2022, 04:49 PM
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The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook is an essential reference for anyone interested in reloading with lead bullets. My only copy is from, I think, sometime in the 1970s. And that is fine with me, as the recipes that it provides are for the very same propellants I still use today - Bullseye, Unique, Herco, 2400, and the IMR series. I imagine the more recent Lyman editions provide recipes using the newer propellants. Over the years, I have accumulated many reloading manuals and data pamphlets from the propellant and bullet manufacturers going back into the 1950s. I still consult them frequently.

I suspect that many reloaders may be unaware of the variety of lead and jacketed bullet light loads in virtually all calibers that can be made up using the fastest handgun and shotshell propellants.

Last edited by DWalt; 06-27-2022 at 05:03 PM.
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Old 06-27-2022, 05:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike, SC Hunter View Post
Do you use a filler to keep those small charges back against the primer?
No filler used, and I don't mindfully raise the muzzle before each shot to let the powder fall to the back of the case.
Just chamber the round and fire.

In larger CFrifle cases like 30-06, 30-40Krag, 8MM Mauser, 9.3x74R, etc
I use 10gr of RedDot and either a cast or jacketed bullet.
Most any weight bullet will do. I use a lot of pulled GI 30cal bullets in the '06 and Krag. 9mm Makarov 95gr JacketedHP bullet in 9.3x74R
Great accuracy in most rifles w/most bullets.
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Old 06-27-2022, 07:01 PM
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This is interesting reading about the use of fast powders for light rifle loads if you have never seen it. "The Load" Is 13 grains of Red Dot

I have found that similar propellants such as Bullseye, 700-X, and Clays work about the same as Red Dot in this application. Red Dot is just a little bulkier.

Last edited by DWalt; 06-28-2022 at 07:53 PM.
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Old 07-04-2022, 02:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt View Post
This is interesting reading about the use of fast powders for light rifle loads if you have never seen it. "The Load" Is 13 grains of Red Dot

I have found that similar propellants such as Bullseye, 700-X, and Clays work about the same as Red Dot in this application. Red Dot is just a little bulkier.
Never been pressure tested. Why don't you get it tested since you preach this loading on multiple forums?

Btw, this IS NOT for the 30-30.

Last edited by dla; 07-04-2022 at 02:17 PM.
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Old 07-04-2022, 02:37 PM
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It's really kinda hard to imagine this as being a difficult load to iron out.
Cast lead is the 30-30's best party trick.
Look at some flavor of 170 grain data and work from there
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Old 07-04-2022, 02:47 PM
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I have fooled with 30/30 loads for years. Going a different direction than most. I was wanting to shoot lightest bullet practical at highest velocity.
The accuracy was main thing but I wanted to flatten the 30/30 rainbow. I got no good results with cast in light bullets. Forget about talking velocity when they don’t have practical accuracy. Using 30/30-308-3006 as test guns, got same results. Didn’t get the increase in velocity until 110gr jacket
were used. The 1/2 jacket plinkers gave good accuracy but loose in when approaching 2500fps. in all 30cals tested. The 115gr bullets intended for M1 Carbine shoot well.
I have a page out of a gun rag from 40yrs ago that has suggested light loads for CF rifles. The author was hell on IMR-4198 for just about all them.
I did fool with shootin 158gr cast RN out of 35Rem. Tried Red Dot. It worked but looked like I was using old tires for powder, filthy. Then switched to Unique. Never herd tell of Bullseye for such use.
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Old 07-10-2022, 05:18 PM
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The 10 grain Unique load has shot well for me. Another one my guns like is 22 grains of RL-7 with 165 grain cast bullets.
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Old 07-10-2022, 09:31 PM
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Unique or the SR 4759 . My Winchesters do not like .309 bullets but love .310 and .311 .
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Old 07-10-2022, 09:50 PM
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in the larger 30-06 case I have had good light loads with the 100gr speer & hornady bullets
with 4895, bullseye. Unique & Sr4759 powders.

If you have it, Sr4759 worked the best for me in a 30-06 case from 16 to 20 grs of powder.

Plinkers are fun for all to shoot but you do need to keep your cases separate, from your "Standard loads.
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