Good powder for 30/30

[ArchAngelCD]

I plan on using a lead bullet for plinking/target practice. I need to find a decent bullet for deer hunting.

I'm shooting a 165gr plain base cast bullet from Missouri bullets and loading with IMR3031 or H4895 with equal success.
Missouri Bullet Company
If you're fearful of leading you can use the same bullet only coated.
Missouri Bullet Company

With open sights from a Marlin levergun I have been shooting empty shotshell cases at 50 yards so they are accurate bullets. The same bullets should work very well on Deer...

 

[DWalt]

The original factory propellant for the .30-30 was something very close to IMR 3031. It was actually HiVel #2, but the ballistic differences between the two are miniscule, and HiVel is no longer made. And of course, it used 30 grains. With a 170 grain bullet, 30 grains of IMR 3031 is about as good as you can get. While many other propellants will work fine, at least the IMR 3031 load has some history behind it.

By the way, if you want a cheap plinking load, use 13 grains of about any of the faster shotgun and pistol powders (like Red Dot, Bullseye, or Unique) with a 160-170 grain cast bullet. Those hold surprisingly tight groups out to 50 yards.

 

[ChiefStealth]

(snip) Hodgdon came out with Leverevolution a few years back and I like that powder a lot. LVR is all I now use in the 30-30.

Have you tried LVR with any of the lighter bullets for 30-30. Like the Sierra 125gn., or the Speer 130gn.? I've seen suggested load data for 150, 160, and 170 bullets. I haven't seen any suggested loads for the lighter bullets. Just curious if you have tried any. Thanks.

 

[Skeet 028]

Best powder of all time for the triente-triente..Hi-Vel #2 I still have it and still use it. LOL..Course it was discontinued in the mid 60s.....no guys..not the 1860s. As one of the previous posters said..LVR is great

 

[Nevada Ed]

Of the old 150 and 170gr style bullets the larger weigh bullet is
actually the BETTER bullet for deer hunting and the longer distances out to 150 to 200 yards.

The new 160 weight Hornady FTX red plastic tip boat tail is the
cream of the crop and is good to 250 yards with its better BC
and energy at around 2389 fps.

If using bullets less than 150grs, check the bullets design to
make sure it will work on animals the size of deer, since most
are designed for pest and varmint hunting.

 

[rwsmith]

Agh, it's the other way around.....

If you want reduced loads..........
H4895 can be reduced by 60% from its maximum loading.

Not all ammo but most...........
Make sure to check with the powder company for the correct data.
My notes show a 130gr JFP at 2,006 fps and 27,000 cup in a 30/30.
Article states most loads will take deer out to 200 yards.

The 4895 powders can be reduced down 30% from maximum load. Simply multiply the max load by 0.6 to get the minimum reduced load.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Both of my sons took Model 94 Winchesters when they went out on their own. Now my grandsons are using Model 94 Winchesters. I have one left in the safe and two great-grandsons, so I'm looking again. Used to pick up a nice used '94 for $70 or $80, or watch the sales for a new one for $89.95, but those days are gone.

I've been doing all the reloading for decades. I doubt there has been a box of factory ammo purchased. Everyone just sends their spent cases to grampa's house.

Lee C309-170 RF gas check, cast of 50% wheelweights and 50% linotype metal, sized .309 with Alox lube. 30 grains H335. Standard large rifle primer. If I can't get H335 I have found that BL-C2 is just about identical in the .30-30. We have cases by R-P, W-W, Federal and I find little difference worth discussing. I just keep using them until the necks start to split.

This pretty well duplicates the factory 170 grain loads in velocity and muzzle energy. Accurate and deadly to 100 yards, which I consider a good limit for the Model 94 with open sights. This load has kept freezers filled with venison for decades.

 

[Nevada Ed]

The 4895 powders can be reduced down 30% from maximum load. Simply multiply the max load by 0.6 to get the minimum reduced load.

(post 26 )

There are a few 4895 labeled powders..........
I am thinking that this is the IMR line of powder, that can be
reduced 30% ?

 

[Kframerbluvr]

Both of my sons took Model 94 Winchesters when they went out on their own. Now my grandsons are using Model 94 Winchesters. I have one left in the safe and two great-grandsons, so I'm looking again. Used to pick up a nice used '94 for $70 or $80, or watch the sales for a new one for $89.95, but those days are gone.

I've been doing all the reloading for decades. I doubt there has been a box of factory ammo purchased. Everyone just sends their spent cases to grampa's house.

Lee C309-170 RF gas check, cast of 50% wheelweights and 50% linotype metal, sized .309 with Alox lube. 30 grains H335. Standard large rifle primer. If I can't get H335 I have found that BL-C2 is just about identical in the .30-30. We have cases by R-P, W-W, Federal and I find little difference worth discussing. I just keep using them until the necks start to split.

This pretty well duplicates the factory 170 grain loads in velocity and muzzle energy. Accurate and deadly to 100 yards, which I consider a good limit for the Model 94 with open sights. This load has kept freezers filled with venison for decades.

I have one M94 I bought for myself thirty years ago and my 21 YO son has been dropping strong hints that he wants it bad. He loves shooting it. It may be his college graduation present in a year. That will put me back in the market for another 'shooter grade" M94 or Marlin 336.
My reloading experience with the 30-30 is about forty rounds with 3031 powder and 170 grain JSP bullets. A good friend gave me 300+ pieces of 30-30 brass ten years ago and I can't see ever running out. I found out quickly that 30-30 brass is much thinner than 30-06...they crush easily if not carefully run through the sizing die..

 

[phonejack]

Speer 170 & 32.0 W748

 

[venomballistics]

I plan on using a lead bullet for plinking/target practice. I need to find a decent bullet for deer hunting.

interesting ....
then you'll need a couple of powders for it ... IMR4227 with lead might prove interesting.
However, this IS a wheezing geezer cartridge which offers some shortcomings that translate into advantages
its a low pressure cartridge as rifles go, which makes lead viable through nearly all uses.
If you want to hunt with cast .. 30-30 is a good choice for it.

 

[tlay]

Thanks to all for the replies! I can't wait to get this done and put some rounds down range!
I know we need flat point bullets but will any of the new bullets with the soft tip work? I don't want a giant firecracker in my hands!

 

[Ceapea]

Reduced loads are fun for me to shoot. I think they don't sell SR 4759 any more and I'm looking for a substitute for it. I don't have my data handy but I found this:

.30-30 Winchester - 150 grain FP bullet, 17.0 grains of SR 4759 powder, CCI 200 primer, Winchester case. COL 2.550". MV 1794 fps in 24" barrel. MAP 35,600 CUP. (Based on the Hodgdon Data Manual, 26th Edition.)

Also, 4895 powder can be reduced up to 30% of maximum load. it works great. Very versatile powder.

Yeah, reduced loads are a hoot to shoot. I use 7.5gr Trail Boss under a 165gr LRNFP bullet. Very accurate at the 50 yard distances in the "woods-walks" that I shoot.
Also, I believe that H4895 (only H4895, not IMR 4895) can be reduced by 40% (60% of max) from the max charge.

 

[22shtur]

2400 was not mentioned. Data can be found in the older loading manuals. It works well from reduced gallery loads to full power hunting loads. Under a 30 carbine 110 grain bullet, wabbit be careful...and under a 150 grain bullet, bambi's brother, spike, is coming home for dinner.

 

[venomballistics]

Thanks to all for the replies! I can't wait to get this done and put some rounds down range!
I know we need flat point bullets but will any of the new bullets with the soft tip work? I don't want a giant firecracker in my hands!

the FTX is made exactly for this purpose.
Personally, I just embrace the old school charm of the wheezing geezers. If you want a BTSP uber bullet, 308 on up can do the job better.
You'll figure it out after it tells you more about itself than we can say

 

[Ceapea]

If you want reduced loads..........
H4895 can be reduced by 60% from its maximum loading. ( not IMR4895 )

It cannot be reduced by 60%, it can be reduced to 60% of max.
A total max reduction of 40%.

 

[Ceapea]

The 4895 powders can be reduced down 30% from maximum load. Simply multiply the max load by 0.6 to get the minimum reduced load.

A charge multiplied by .6 is a 40% reduction. The true max reduction. Also, I personally called Hodgdon, they explicitly EXCLUDE IMR 4895 from that calculation. They said it is not to be reduced by any factor. Just starting, max and any loadings in between.
Only H4895 can be reduced.

 

[forestswin]

you say plinking / target shooting?

try 8 grains of 2400, or 10 grains of 4227
both over a cast 165 or 170 grain RNFP
makes a 30-30 shoot like a 22 LR

those loads and others are on GMDR website
Lever Gun Performance Studies

the bullet tested was an Oregon Trail Laser-Cast

 

[ChiefStealth]

Thanks to all for the replies! I can't wait to get this done and put some rounds down range!
I know we need flat point bullets but will any of the new bullets with the soft tip work? I don't want a giant firecracker in my hands!

Soft tip bullets..? Yes! The Hornady 160gr FTX bullets. Built specifically for use in rifles with tube magazines. Here's a couple of the soft tip FTX bullets next to the traditional 150gn flat point bullets.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Have you tried LVR with any of the lighter bullets for 30-30. Like the Sierra 125gn., or the Speer 130gn.? I've seen suggested load data for 150, 160, and 170 bullets. I haven't seen any suggested loads for the lighter bullets. Just curious if you have tried any. Thanks.

Sorry, I have not. I only tries 150gr and 170gr jacketed bullets and those 165gr cast bullets from Missouri Bullets, nothing lighter...