30-30 Cowboy loads with H4895/H4831??

[Remmy4477]

A kind member on here sent me some 170grn Fp cast Boolits with GC's to try out in my old model 94. I have on hand some H4895 and some H4831 powders. Wanting to put together some reduced loads. Going to try a cowboy shoot next month if all goes well?? I have read a good starting load with the H4895 would be 18.5 grns, but am unable to find if this is for GC boolits or plain base. Would there be a differance if I started with the 18.5 grns with the GC's?? Not finding any load data with the H4831?? I guess I'm just looking for some input on this??

[Wayne Smith]

If the boolit has a gc base put one on it. It is very rare to get adequate accuracy without one on a boolit designed for one. The load will be the same for both, it makes minimal difference in weight. I am at work so I can't comment about loads. Do you have the Lyman Cast Bullet manual? Actually, in the 30-30 you can use regular condom data as the cast boolit creates less resistance going down the barrel and can stand up to the velocities of the normal 30-30 loads.

[Tatume]

You should review this information on H4895:

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895%20Reduced%20Rifle%20Loads.pdf

and also reloading data for 30-30 Winchester at:

http://hodgdon.com/

There is almost no powder that is better suited to cast bullet loading in the 30-30 than H4895 (IMR4895 also). With your 170 grain cast bullets you can load it up to full power hunting levels, you can use starting data, or you can use reduced loads. Hodgdon recommends that you can load H4895 down as low as 60% of maximum loads, which in your case would be about the load that was recommended to you. You were given good advice.

Take care, Tom

[TXGunNut]

Got any 2400? 14-16grs makes a nice reduced load. OTOH the 4895 loads sound like something I need to try, thanks for starting the thread.

[Bzcraig]

Thanks for the info gents

[popper]

I'd go for the 2400 load, decent fps and low recoil, if you can find any.

[w30wcf]

24/4895 shot very well for me under 170-180 gr. g.c. bullets.:grin:
A capacity load of H4831 (about 34 grs.) also worked well but with a bit more recoil.

w30wcf

[Outpost75]

For plainbased bullets in the .30-30, NO gascheck, use soft alloy, not harder than wheelweights or 12 BHN and either 10 grs. of #2400, 8 grs. of Herco, 7 grs. of Unique, 6 grs. of 231 or 5 grs. of Bullseye, 700-x, Red Dot or Trail Boss with 130-160 grain bullet. Low noise, accurate, pleasant.

[badgeredd]

For plainbased bullets in the .30-30, NO gascheck, use soft alloy, not harder than wheelweights or 12 BHN and either 10 grs. of #2400, 8 grs. of Herco, 7 grs. of Unique, 6 grs. of 231 or 5 grs. of Bullseye, 700-x, Red Dot or Trail Boss with 130-160 grain bullet. Low noise, accurate, pleasant.

Excellent! All of the loads should be "Cowboy" usable. A friend that shoots cowboy stuff loves his 700x load.

Edd

[soless]

Lee's second edition lists 15-29gr of H4895 for a 170 with the starting velocity of 1300 to 2040 respectively. It also notes possible double charges with 15-17gr of powder. The firearm used is not listed.

[John Boy]

Going to try a cowboy shoot next month if all goes well??
Remmy, hate to be the bearer of bad news ... 30-30 caliber rifles are illegal as a main match caliber for Cowboy Action Shooting. They can be used for long range side matches but not as a main match caliber
RIFLE CALIBERS
• Must be centerfire of at least .32 caliber and not larger than .45 caliber.
• Must be in a caliber commonly available in revolvers. Examples include, but are not limited
to, .32-20, .32 Magnum, .357 Magnum, .38 Special, .38-40, .44-40, .44 Special, .44
Magnum, and .45 Colt. The only allowed exceptions are the .25-20 and .56-50. No rifle calibers such as .30-30 or .38-55 are allowed.

[Remmy4477]

Remmy, hate to be the bearer of bad news ... 30-30 caliber rifles are illegal as a main match caliber for Cowboy Action Shooting. They can be used for long range side matches but not as a main match caliber
RIFLE CALIBERS
• Must be centerfire of at least .32 caliber and not larger than .45 caliber.
• Must be in a caliber commonly available in revolvers. Examples include, but are not limited
to, .32-20, .32 Magnum, .357 Magnum, .38 Special, .38-40, .44-40, .44 Special, .44
Magnum, and .45 Colt. The only allowed exceptions are the .25-20 and .56-50. No rifle calibers such as .30-30 or .38-55 are allowed.

Sorry I should have clarified, the range I shoot at has Cowboy Silhouette shoots. Leverguns, calibers allowed 25-35 to 45-70. They actually have 2 classes, leverguns and pistols.

It's all good!

[snaketail]

I've very good results with 3031 and 170gr cast boolots. I'm using a GC 170 for all animals, holding low on chickens and "on" for everything else.
My choice was based on available powder. The LSG had plenty 3031 and not much else.
My load is 26.5gr of 3031 under a 170gc, with WW Primers.

M

[runfiverun]

if they allow gas checks then I'd go for the 34 grs of 4831 load.
it's actually quite pleasant to shoot, accurate, and consistent too.

[sthwestvictoria]

THis is has been an accurate load for me with AR2206H (H4895 for the cousins) however this target is with the Lee 150grain. I am sure I have some with the Lee 170grain and AR2206H, I'll dig it out:
http://i62.tinypic.com/72spyo.jpg

[sthwestvictoria]

No, not 170grain with AR2206H. I have looked through targets however my accuracy load was with AR2208 (varget) and the 170grain (note different rifle and 100metres, not the 50metres with teh 1894):
http://i59.tinypic.com/2eozaz6.jpg

[marshall623]

I would run the H4895 if it where me , you can reduce Jacketed data to 60% of max according to Hodgon youth load data. What size targets are you shooting and what distance ,or are they something else besides chickens, pigs, turkeys, & rams. I would run them how ever fast it takes to get them shooting good being there is no limit on reasonable speed and go with it.- Hint- I don't know if they allow sighter shots but if they do take them, in IHMSA those 5 shots have helped on many a match

[nagantguy]

H4895 2400 and unique are all I've used in my recent new/old love with the old thuddy/thuddy.

[FergusonTO35]

If you can find it you may want to try IMR XBR8208. It's a bit faster than 4895, burns clean, and is very accurate in everything I've tried.