Does anyone use 200 gr boolits in their 30-30?

[ShooterAZ]

If so, could you please let me know what you are using? I have some 311299 that I would like to try. I don't think they will feed through the magazine, but I would like to try some, maybe just single load. The rifle is M94. Thanks.

[JeffinNZ]

I tried a very similar boolit in my Husky .30-30 bolt gun and the stability was marginal. What twist is a M94?

[Outpost75]

The Winchester 94s are 12-inch twist.

Heaviest bullet I have used successfully is RCBS 30-180FN, which weighs 188 grains in wheelweights, when lubed and gaschecked. With heavier bullets, when loaded within the 2.55" Max. overall cartridge length, required to feed from the magazine, the GC will protrude below the neck-shoulder junction, which may be detrimental to accuracy. The "nail head" effect or "wine cork" base deformation is mitigated by using a slower powder which lets you fill the case, within safe pressures. I have good results with 30 grains of 4064, Varget or RL15, which gives about 1950 fps, closely approximating the old .303 Savage, which is a proven deer, moose and bear slayer of 100 years ago.

[ShooterAZ]

I haven't checked it, but I believe it may be 1/12. Edit, Outpost75 beat me to it. I will stick to the 170 for now. Thanks.

[Baron von Trollwhack]

I shoot the 31141 in my 94s. They weigh 184 grains dressed to go. That's likely not much weight difference from your 311299. But the stability/twist question arises not only from weight, but also from bullet length. This is something often forgotten. I would think lead bullets are in fact generally shorter per weight than jacketed.

Suggest you try a few with imr4320 or varget working up from a mid level 170 grain jacketed load toward say, 1850 fps. You may find good usable stability.

BvT

[shooter93]

Do a search for articles by Frank Marshall....Speaking Frankly. He was a "practical" shooter and did some work with heavies in the 30-30 to make it preform much like the 303 Savage with it's 190 grain bullet.

[Green Lizzard]

a loaded round may not extract

[ShooterAZ]

a loaded round may not extract

Yup, that is why I stated "single load" in my OP.

[Green Lizzard]

what does single load have to do with getting a loaded round out without a screwdriver

[Larry Gibson]

Yup, that is why I stated "single load" in my OP.

Tried 311299s in my M94 once; seated too long and they single fed fine.....problem was If I didn't shoot them they then were to long to extract. Rim under extractor and nose caught in chamber.......only one solution and it's not good if a cease fire is called and you're expected to just clear the rifle......I don't use 311299s any more.........

Larry Gibson

[ShooterAZ]

what does single load have to do with getting a loaded round out without a screwdriver Green Lizard, I'm fully aware that if I loaded them and didn't fire them, that they probably won't extract... OK?

[JeffinNZ]

Do a search for articles by Frank Marshall....Speaking Frankly. He was a "practical" shooter and did some work with heavies in the 30-30 to make it preform much like the 303 Savage with it's 190 grain bullet.

Yes, I had forgotten that. He sized 311284's with a FN top punch to make a blunt projectile. Stepped them out at about 1750fps from memory.

[Green Lizzard]

i think he was using them in a savage 340

[w30wcf]

ShooterAZ,

The afore mentioned Frank Marshall started me down the path of 200+ gr bullets in .30-30 lever guns. Hard to believe that was over 20 years ago! I have used several different 200+ gr bullets in the 30-30, the 311299 being one of them. Since it is a bullet with a long bore riding nose, make up a dummy round to make sure it will chamber ok since there is the possibility that the bore riding portion of the bullet may be larger than the bore diameter in your rifle.

My favorite powder for these heavy bullets in the 30-30 has been H414 / W760 (same powder). That and 4350 were the two powders Frank Marshall reported using. Back in 2003, I had my loads tested in a ballistics lab and they ran in the 36,000 CUP range which is 2,000 CUP les than SAMMI MAP. Velocities in the 24" test barrel were 2,040 fps with a 208 gr. cast bullet and just under 2,000 fps with a deep seated 220 gr flat nosed 311284 ala Frank Marshall (right hand bullet).

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o25/w30wcf/Collector%20Cartridges/IMG_4023.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o25/w30wcf/30-30Heaviesjpg.jpg

w30wcf

[RPRNY]

I love Big Slow Lead, so I think this is worth pursuing. However, I think a 1:12 barrel will struggle to stabilize a 311299. Certainly worth checking out. Let us know how it goes. I know Frank Marshall liked 4350 but I would start a wee bit faster than that. 4064 would be my starting point unless you have a 24" plus barrel on that M94...

[w30wcf]

Oops.... forgot to mention that all the boolits in the pic shot just fine in the 12" twist...all the way out to the 500 meter steel rams :grin::grin::grin:

w30wcf

[popper]

184 gr RD in a 336 works, 1:10. Large me plat makes for a shorter boolit. I carry a rod to the range for extraction but wouldn't want to do that hunting.