2400 in the .30-30

[Patrick L]

In my post on the leverguns forum I asked about your recommended loads for 2400 with a 311041 in the .30-30. I made a funny comment about not wanting to bother looking it up, and just asking you guys.

Well lo and behold, I DID try to look it up. Neither my Lyman 47th, Lyman CB Handbook, or Alliant's website list any 2400 data for cast in the .30-30.

I find this odd, since Lyman lists faster pistol powders, and "typical" jacketed rifle powders.

So what would you all recomend ? I currently load 18 gr of 2400 in the .30-06 with a 190 gr SAECO. What would be a mild, accurate load for paper punching with the 311041 bullet in a .30-30 lever gun? I'm guessing maybe around 12 gr or so ?

[felix]

I would start at 18 grains and work DOWN to where you felt OK in terms of accuracy and recoil. 21 grains of 4198 would be about right for full power, and would be roughly equivalent. ... felix

[mag_01]

:coffee: ---I have used 16.5 of 2400 behind a 160gr g/c boolit----It shoots well and is a light load---I like a heavier load and I use 22grs. of AA5744--with same boolit--good luck hope this helps----Mag

[Char-Gar]

I like 18/2400 is the 30-06, 16/2400 in the .308 and 30-40, and 15/2400 in the 30-30. All of these can be upped a couple of grains and still have good accuracy if you are looking for more velocity.

[grumpy one]

I notice 2400 allegedly has the same burning rate as SR4759. For 22 BHN 170 grain bullets in my 30-30 the limiting load of SR4759 is 18 grains, before the base starts to collapse and groups open up at 18.5. If your bullets are softer than 22 BHN you may find 18 grains is too much (assuming 2400 really is as similar to SR4759 as I'm suggesting). The Lyman data on SR4759 should give you a reasonable first-approximation indication on load, pressure and velocity. I suggest you don't go much over 18 grains, since Lyman lists it at around 35,000 psi for a 170 grain bullet, which seems to me to be enough pressure for a 30-30 lever. Velocity should be about 1800, and in my rifle it's the most accurate load I've found - though 17 grains is just as good. The group might open just a smidgen at 16 grains, though I haven't repeated the test to verify this. Of course all that is with a hard bullet; for air cooled it might be a different story.

[grouch]

16gr was too much for the Lee 150gr in 20 :1 - got leading. It worked ok with ww+2% tin. With 311041 and soft alloy, care may be in order.

Grouch

[Larry Gibson]

In my post on the leverguns forum I asked about your recommended loads for 2400 with a 311041 in the .30-30. I made a funny comment about not wanting to bother looking it up, and just asking you guys.

Well lo and behold, I DID try to look it up. Neither my Lyman 47th, Lyman CB Handbook, or Alliant's website list any 2400 data for cast in the .30-30.

I find this odd, since Lyman lists faster pistol powders, and "typical" jacketed rifle powders.

So what would you all recomend ? I currently load 18 gr of 2400 in the .30-06 with a 190 gr SAECO. What would be a mild, accurate load for paper punching with the 311041 bullet in a .30-30 lever gun? I'm guessing maybe around 12 gr or so ?

Lyman #42 lists 16 gr 2400 with 311291 (very similar to 311041 but with RN) at 1715 fps. Lo and behold I use 16 gr 2400 with the 311041 and it runs 1694 fps out of my M94 Carbine.

Larry Gibson

[Paul5388]

It will depend on what rifle you're using too. I use a NEF Handi rifle in .30-30 and 15.0 gr is where the accuracy is with a .309" 311291.

I also find the softer bullets shoot better for me. Air cooled BHN 12 shoots better than water quenched BHN 22, probably due to shallow groove rifling.

I suppose everyone realizes the NEF barrel is very similar to a Marlin barrel, since they're both owned by the same people. Therefore, what applies to a Winchester may not apply to a Marlin or NEF/H&R.

[Tracy]

I have used 18.5 grains 2400 under 31141 in .30/30 for years, as my standard load. The bullet is cast of WW with a little 50/50 solder added to improve castability.

I have an ancient Lyman book that lists this exact load, along with another one using H240 which is an obsolete "improved" 2400.
I think the new 2400 is probably about the same thing as H240, based on load/velocity comparisons.

[Paul5388]

I suppose I should have mentioned I'm using Alliant 2400 purchased in 2004.

I use Elmer's loads, even though all I have ever owned is Alliant 2400. I just purchased a pound of Hercules Bullseye and asked if there was a can of Hercules 2400 around. I would like to load some comparison loads to confirm there isn't any difference in Hercules and Alliant 2400. If there was very much difference, my use of Elmer's loads wouldn't work, but they do work! :mrgreen:

[Tracy]

Paco Kelly wrote an article on Alliant vs. Hercules 2400 a few years ago, and concluded that while the Alliant does give slightly higher velocities, it doesn't seem to raise pressures. I used Herc 2400 for years before the changeover, and I continued to use the same loads for Alliant 2400. I've never seen any increased pressure signs from doing so.

[Rob Helms]

Here is some data I worked up in a 336 Marlin; 20 inch barrel
Federal Cases, Rem 9 1/2 primers,
Lee 170gn FN GC cast from WW, water quenched, 50/50 Alox lube.
Sized 0.311
This is Hercules (old) 2400. 5 shot groups 70 Degrees

16.5gr 1832fps 3"group @100

17.0gr 1850fps 4"group@100

17.5gr 1900fps 2.75"group@100

18.0gr 1953fps 6.0"group@100

I settled on 15.4 grains for this rifle. I have shot several groups at 2.5"
average but I haven't chronographed it yet.