30-30 Cast bullet loads

[TedH]

I know this has been talked about before, but I couldn't turn up anything with a search.

I have been given some Lyman 311041 bullets. I now have them sized to .311", lubed and checked, ready to load.

What's your favorite 30-30 plinker/medium velocity load. Looking to run them 1600-2000 fps depending on accuracy.

Might also try them in my 30-30 Ackley, a Marlin with Microgroove.

[WCF3030]

The only bullet I shoot anymore in my Marlin is the Lyman 311041 cast in WW, gas checked and lee lube weighs 187grs, with 28.5gr of H-335 and a CCI LPP. You can also use 9.5gr Unique for small game.
With the H-335 very accurate and complete pass through in deer with a nice golf ball sized hole.
With the Unique, same great accuracy and point of aim at 50yds as the H-335 load no need for me to change a thing. Many rabbits/tree rats and various pests have fallen to that round.
Also very easy on brass I'm on my 28 reload with the same 20 cases of various manufactures.

[Borregos]

9.5 to10 grains of Unique works well with a cast 150gr. Comes out around 1400-1500fps

[jlchucker]

Ted, I've used that 311041 bullet for years out of several 30-30's . How much and what powder you use will kind of depend upon what results you get from experimentation. A .311 bullet may work pretty well--and is a good starting point. Bigger may or may not cause chambering problems--that could be rifle-specific. I've used .308 bullets out of a couple of my rifles with good results. Same for .309 and .310. You need to do some shooting. As far as powders go, there again--check the Lyman or Lee loading manuals for your bullet. I mostly use 748 or 3031 out of my 30-30's with that bullet. Last summer I tried 5744 and was pleasantly surprised, not only by the accuracy at 50 yd (I didn't get a chance to try them at 100) but by a mysterious lack of recoil with that powder. Another good one to try is RL7. More of any of these powders is not necessarily better. Go for accuracy, and when you find your load, chances are it certainly won't bounce off a whitetail deer--not even the armor-plated ones that some whizbangshortymag people seem to occasionally encounter and write about in the gun mags.

Good luck.

[txpete]

+1 on the AA5744.
pete

[BigSky56]

+2 on AA5744 good powder in rifle or pistol. danny

[2X22]

I have been given some Lyman 311041 bullets. I now have them sized to .311", lubed and checked, ready to load.

What's your favorite 30-30 plinker/medium velocity load. Looking to run them 1600-2000 fps depending on accuracy.

Exactly the bullet and size I use. I like 27grs 3031 for about 1950-2000fps out of my Marlins and Savage. Tiny li'l groups too!

2x22

[Lefty Dude]

If you are running them bare-footed, W/O gas checks keep that speed below 1500 fps. You will get leading in the 1800-2000 FPS range. If they have shoe's on try 20 gr. of RL7. W/O, 14-16 gr. of AA5477.

My pet load for the GC 170 is 15.8 gr. of RL7, averages 1550 Fps from my 30 Remington 141 & 94 Legacy Winchester.
BTW; this load is right out of the Alliant reloaders guide for Cowboy loads. This load clocks a standard diviation of 10.

[TedH]

Looks like I'm in good shape. I've got all the powders ya'll have recommended on my shelf already. Should be able to find something satisfactory.

[KCSO]

I will add my 30-30 hunting load of 28 grains ofWW 748 powder and the Lyman g/c 311041. Thsi will push 2000 fps and cast of 12/ and 1/2 w/w and Lino it will really do the job on deer size game. Good expansion and shoots as accuratly as your rifle will shoot.

[Nath]

I used Blue dot and a 150 gas checked cast years ago. 13 or 15grn. It shot very well out of a Win94 and a 336.
It was listed in Alliants sillhoette loads.

Nath.

[horsesoldier03]

I am curious to know.... If a bullet is not designed for a gas check, can you place a fiber or cloth material beneath the cartridge between it and the powder to reduce the amount of leading? It seems I have heard of this being done.

[txpete]

there is a company that makes WAX gas checks.never used them but maybe worth a try.
pete

[Chuck 100 yd]

18gr. IMR 4198 gives me 1595fps and the best accuracy with no leading with the 311041 in the .30-30.
I have pushed that load on up to 1950 or so without leading but accuracy suffers more the faster I pushed them.

[20cows]

4227

[DerekR]

I've had luck with that bullet and 29 grains of W748.

[Hecter]

I shoot 16grs. of 4227 at 1600 fps. This load is very accurate in my savage 99 in both 30-30 and 303sav. Very cheap to make and lots of fun. I also shoot it from a marlin 336.

[txpete]

http://www.cliffsgunsmithing.com/Cat_SGC.htm

[Nath]

I'm sure it was Paco that glued plastic checks to the bullet bases to get a gas check.
One may need to fill the case with Kirks idea, toilet paper sheet to just make sure it don't fall off.

N.

[thornblom]

My cast bullet load looks like this:

Case: Winchester .30-30 trimmed to book minimum, flash hole deburred
Primer: CCI-Br2
Powder: 26 grains of IMR-4895
Bullet: Oregon Trail (True Shot) 170 grain RNFP/GC
Medium crimp

I use this load in a Winchester Model 1894 rifle (1897 vintage) with 26: octagon barrel. I shoot lever action rifle cartridge silhouette and this load is accurate out to 200 meters.

Sincerely,
Dave (Bubba) Thornblom