30-30 handloads

[BrettSass844]

Just got a new 30-30 and shot 85 rounds of the Lever Evolution through it saturday. I was impressed to say the least! I was consistently hitting clay birds laying on a embankment at 200 yards and had some nice groups at 100. I know Hornady never released to the public what powder they run in their factory loads. Is anyone handloading these projectiles? I'm getting a christmas list together for the wife and am trying to get a idea for what powder I should try??? Thanks guys!

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: 30-30 handloads

Of the powders I have tried, IMR 3031 is accurate for 150 grain bullets. IMR 4350 is really good for 190 grain bullets.

I'm sure that some of the newer powders are very good also. But I no longer have a 30-30 and have had no reason to load any.

Remember to only use round nose bullets when loading for a tubular magazine.

Good luck.

 

[Driftwood]

Re: 30-30 handloads

I used IMR4895 and a 170 grain round nose bullet. The Marlins have stronger a action than the Winchesters do. I have a Winchester so my loads never pushed the envelope but were effective. The 150 grain bullet is a very common weight as well.

 

[bohem]

Re: 30-30 handloads

4320 and 3031 are classics in the 30-30. I have used BLC-2 as well with 150gr bullets.

If you can get your hands on some cast lead bullets (with a gas check) then give about 11.0gr of Unique a try too. It's a light load, only around 1800fps but makes for a good cheap plinker that's fun.

I shoot 150 and 170 RN or FN factory loads for hunting. It's one of my favorite brush guns.

 

[Winny]

Re: 30-30 handloads

I have run Varget behind the 160 gr Hornandy FTX round....shoots nice so far.

 

[samnev]

Re: 30-30 handloads

I have used 4895 with good succes with both 150 & 170 grain bullets.

 

[redbullitt]

Re: 30-30 handloads

Varget and win 748 work pretty well for me. Both are minute of can at 150 yards. I bet santo's 4895 ^ would be good too, but I dont have any to play with now.

I have been messing with the flex tip ones, but not enough yet. For me, their poi was really different from my 150 Flat noses.
But, the dozen or so I played with for load work up all shot good groups at 100.

 

[vman]

Re: 30-30 handloads

They are great little projectiles. I have used them in my mates lever action and they operate much easier compared to some of the junk Ive seen him load in that rifle.

The tips of the projectiles are actually much harder than I first expected.

 

[redbullitt]

Re: 30-30 handloads

yeah same here. When I opened the box I wanted to squish them around... but was disappointed haha. Anyone shot any game with them yet?

 

[BrettSass844]

Re: 30-30 handloads

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 331V8</div><div class="ubbcode-body">yeah same here. When I opened the box I wanted to squish them around... but was disappointed haha. Anyone shot any game with them yet? </div></div>

Give me a week from saturday when Missouri rifle season opens. I am really pumped to see how they perform. Good to know I can use varget behind these projectiles I already have some for my 308. Thanks for all the input guys. I wish I would have got a 30-30 years ago. She was a blast to shoot the other day

 

[Tactical30]

Re: 30-30 handloads

Google "load data for 160gr. Hornady LeverRevolution bullet 30-30"

I found alot of good data that way.

 

[sst04]

Re: 30-30 handloads

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 331V8</div><div class="ubbcode-body">yeah same here. When I opened the box I wanted to squish them around... but was disappointed haha. Anyone shot any game with them yet? </div></div>

I loaded some with 28g of tac and my wife took a doe a couple of weeks ago with one. Exit wound was about the size of a quarter.

 

[BrettSass844]

Re: 30-30 handloads

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sst04</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 331V8</div><div class="ubbcode-body">yeah same here. When I opened the box I wanted to squish them around... but was disappointed haha. Anyone shot any game with them yet? </div></div>

I loaded some with 28g of tac and my wife took a doe a couple of weeks ago with one. Exit wound was about the size of a quarter.
</div></div>

How far was her shot? The only complaints I have heard about these projectiles is that they do not expand properly inside 50 to 75 yards. That's the only negative comments I have heard.

 

[sst04]

Re: 30-30 handloads

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BrettSass844</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sst04</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 331V8</div><div class="ubbcode-body">yeah same here. When I opened the box I wanted to squish them around... but was disappointed haha. Anyone shot any game with them yet? </div></div>

I loaded some with 28g of tac and my wife took a doe a couple of weeks ago with one. Exit wound was about the size of a quarter.
</div></div>

How far was her shot? The only complaints I have heard about these projectiles is that they do not expand properly inside 50 to 75 yards. That's the only negative comments I have heard. </div></div>



The shot was about 55 yards. I Dont know how much it expanded, but the internal damage was pretty good with a nice exit wound.