Problems with my 30-30 load

[bigedp51]

I used SR4759 and then switched to Trail Boss for reduced loads for fire forming my .303 British cases. I used 100 grain .312 pistol bullets at approximately 1600 fps and they shot just fine for reduced loads.

Your plated bullets can also be loaded with Trail Boss with reduced loads in any type firearm. And as stated above your loading the plated bullets to "HOT" and why you are have problems.

 

[rwsmith]

It's still on the shelf....

26 grains is still too heavy a charge for good accuracy with the bullets you are using. I'd go to about 22 or 23 grains if ignition is okay. If accuracy doesn't pick up at those charge weights, go with a more suitable powder.

Someone mentioned SR4759. This is an excellent powder for cast loads, but I didn't mention it in my original post because it's been discontinued.

It's still on the shelf at my LGS and i wonder if I should pick up a few more pounds. Perhaps people aren't interested in reduced loads like they used to be and the 4759 isn't exactly flying off the shelves. That may also be why they discontinued it. It's darn useful for those of us that do use reduced loads.

 

[rockquarry]

I've used 4759 for a long time and bought an 8 lb. keg when they announced the discontinuance. However, and I could be wrong on this, I think the accuracy and general performance of 4759 could be duplicated with some experimentation by trying several other powders like 5744, the 4198s, Reloder 7, and maybe H4895. Of course, that's a general statement depending on the cartridge, but all of these powders potentially work well for cast bullet loads in the .30-30.

 

[cowboy4evr]

My std load in my marlin 336 is my cast 173gr fp gas chk'd bullet sitting on top of 25 grs of IMR 3031 . According to the manuals it is supposed to be just under 1900fps . It is all I need .

 

[Skeet 028]

I've used 4759 for a long time and bought an 8 lb. keg when they announced the discontinuance. However, and I could be wrong on this, I think the accuracy and general performance of 4759 could be duplicated with some experimentation by trying several other powders like 5744, the 4198s, Reloder 7, and maybe H4895. Of course, that's a general statement depending on the cartridge, but all of these powders potentially work well for cast bullet loads in the .30-30.

Many powders will work..one often forgotten and long discontinued..The once heralded perfect 30-30 powder HiVel #2. Still easily found(cheaply I might add)at gun shows. My personal keg is from before the war... the big one. I also use Unique in the 30-30 with cast 311 041 bullets..with 11-12 gr unique..same weight in the 32 Win special too. Feeds my Win 64s just fine and the extra bbl length adds just a little velocity over the carbines with jacketed bullets

 

[Qc Pistolero]

While cast bullet hunting loads(2200fps) can be made to work,it takes some careful development.While I've never used plated bullets,I'd guess that the plating cannot resist stripping when pushed at these velocities.I'd rather use a cast bullet with gas check.The diameter of the bullet relative to the bore is of utmost importance.
And like mentionned above,don't reduce IMR 3031 too much;there are many powders more appropriate for what you are looking for.It always pays to use the appropriate tool for the right job and stay on the safe side.
Qc

 

[rockquarry]

Qc- You're exactly right; takes a lot of careful load development if you want to shoot them fast with any degree of accuracy. A cast bullet with a gas check works very well if the alloy and bullet fit is right.

I don't know if plating and moly are intended as shortcuts to doing things right or they actually have some merit. Regardless, the tried and proven method still works very well as it has for many decades.

 

[LAH]

If you want to shoot those plated bullets up go to something like Unique or Red Dot or Green Dot. I use them all. Charge weight of 5 to 7 grains. This will give you a plinking load. Don't crimp just reduce the case mouth bell to zero.

I use the RCBS 30-180-FN with a gas check. My load is 22 grains of 3031. The load shoots way better than I do.

 

[SLT223]

I don't know much about 30-30, but I do play with plated a lot. I'm yet to get respectable accuracy at around advertised max velocity. Above about 80% of max is where accuracy seems to degrade. That being said I have never used slow powder behind plated slugs. That's because high velocity performance just never seems in reach...

 

[LD-Ordie]

26 grains is still too heavy a charge for good accuracy with the bullets you are using. I'd go to about 22 or 23 grains if ignition is okay. If accuracy doesn't pick up at those charge weights, go with a more suitable powder

So Rockquarry was spot on with his suggestion of trying 23gr's. My velocity averaged 1750, but I only loaded up a few extras to really check out my improved accuracy, but it seemed to be a lot better, so off to load up a small batch and back to the range. I'll also load some at 22gr to see if I notice a difference. Thanks again to all!! I learned a lot from this thread

 

[rockquarry]

You are probably getting close to the low end threshold for 3031. If you get one hangfire, increase your load or go to a faster powder. Probably not a load I would want to rely on in cold weather.

 

[cowboy4evr]

My sister shoots 23 grs of IMR 3031 under the Lyman 173 gr cast bullet with great success . I use std large rifle primers . But I'm sure it's getting pretty close to the low end . If you need less velocity , then I would go powders like Unique , Red Dot , or IMR 4756 --if you can find it . The older Lyman manual says 10 grs of Unique is max for about 1500 fps . That was also listed as the max for Herco and 4756 for slightly less velocity . I cast/size my own for the 30-30 Marlin . I size .311 and get excellent accuracy with the micro groove rifling . In my Winchester 94 it gets .309 .

 

[LD-Ordie]

You are probably getting close to the low end threshold for 3031. If you get one hangfire, increase your load or go to a faster powder. Probably not a load I would want to rely on in cold weather.

So I tested 5 rounds of a 22gr load with an average of 1573 velocity. I fired another 25 rounds at a target 75 yards away, with another 25 with the 23gr load. At this point, I'm new at shooting this current 30-30, but I felt accuracy was close between the 2 loads with the variable being human error. My target was 20" in size with my impact being at 50%. For now, I was good with that with the hope of improving in time.

So I do have an interest in playing with some 110gr FMJ for the M1 that was suggested. I do have some Unique on hand, but can someone share a suggested OAL? Thanks again!