30-30 Range Day

[Drawdown]

Hard to beat an Oct day at the range, I love this time year! I wanted to just confirm my hunting load for my Mod 64 one more time. But I had run up on a great buy for some Nosler 170gr Partitions back in early summer, so I finally tried them, and with 4 different powders, 4 shot groups each. Along with a reduced load with some Speer 130gr HC I really had only tried once, along with my Hunting Load, Hornady 160FTX &LVR Powder. All loads tested at 62 yds off a good rest, Chronoed.

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[Drawdown]

These are my 4 groups with the Partitions, and all I can say is this rifle seems to love them! I want list the charge, but each load was at or near a recommended 3/4 Max load. Now I'm glad I put out the money for these bullets have a fine reputation. Velocities Speead for each one was less than 18fps different with the exception of the 3031, which I'm used too with it, but it gave the best group, probably less than .75", but the lowest Velocity. The W748 was my first time using with any bullet, also a good velocity and group! The LVR held true with a good group, by far the highest velocity which I've always achieved with this powder, and always very accurate!

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[Drawdown]

Next I tried the Speer HC 130gr with a minimum charge for a reduced load, but this bullet I'm sure would be a fine deer bullet with a Max load at higher velocities! Hard to beat a Speer, even my 30-06 loves them!
Last thing I shot my regular Hunting load, Hornady 160FTX & a Max charge of LVR.
It's easy to see why I love this rifle, there's really not a bad load I've found yet in it! It's IMO a Mountain Hunting Rifle beyond most any you can compare!

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[Drawdown]

One note, I used Fort Smith Primers which I got available at my LGS recently. I dud have one misfire, but rechambered, and it fired.

[JBowen]

Nice job Drawdown. It is good to have a good rifle that you have good confidence in.

I never heard of "Fort Smith" primers. Can you tell me more about them?

JBowen

[Drawdown]

Neither had I.

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[JBowen]

I will inquire about them more the next time I am in Fort Smith. I see they are made in Russia and they may not be available currently.

Thanks for the info,
JBowen

Edit: Here is a link to their site. Every item I checked was out of stock though.
https://fedarm.com/

[Griff]

Thanks drawdown, it nice to see what others do with their .30-30s!

[Nath]

Excellent shooting.

[Drawdown]

Nath, have you ever tried that Speer 130g HC in reduced loads? With some of the better reduced loading powders, which I've never ventured, I have no doubt in a lotta rifles it'd be a winner. And also I've never tried yet, pushing this bullet to its max, and I also think it likely it'd be a great deer load. IMO, Speers are the most underrated bullet on market, has a good B.C. for a Levergun bullet, could make a Levergun maybe a better long range gun also, IDK, maybe!

[Oldncrusty]

Nice shootin. I see I'm not the only one with a four wheeled shooting bench.

[Grizz]

that's good shooting for sure ! ! !

[Nath]

Nath, have you ever tried that Speer 130g HC in reduced loads? With some of the better reduced loading powders, which I've never ventured, I have no doubt in a lotta rifles it'd be a winner. And also I've never tried yet, pushing this bullet to its max, and I also think it likely it'd be a great deer load. IMO, Speers are the most underrated bullet on market, has a good B.C. for a Levergun bullet, could make a Levergun maybe a better long range gun also, IDK, maybe!

I used Speers HC exclusively for year in my 30-30's but only recently got a box I found in a shop of the 130gn.
I have shot a few on viht n135 and I like them. Zippy too.
This was one shot at 100ish off hand.

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I've also got 200plus 100gn half jackets by Speer I'm looking forward to loading for small game.

[Scrumbag]

I do like Speer bullets. Hard to find here, though.

My 257 Roberts loves the 120gr SPBT

[Griff]

I'm a bigger fan of the Sierra 125 HPs. I haven't used them on deer, but they'll drop a coyote like nobody's business.