What 30-30 Boolits for a light load in a Marlin w/ Microgrooved Barrel?

[Mr_Sheesh]

I have read that .311-.313 or so are good diameters for these.

I'm looking for something that can be fairly lightly loaded, to pick on any critters that try to be pests / harass my critters once I move. (Dogs in the yard, so from Raccoons up to Coyotes or so.) Probably will use just enough power to make them powerful enough but not full loads by any means, so maybe CAS-like low power loads? Have to see what I figure.) Quietish loads to not bother neighbors and pets too much. Decent accuracy under ~100 yards is my idea here.

I am thinking maybe http://www.noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?products_id=309 this Ranch Dog 171 grain bullet, SC311-171-RF-I3 5 cavity GC (RD) should do it nicely. Probably will PC and GC these, should do the job well enough?

Not shot a 30-30 before, but have down loaded 30-06 243 etc. before so I figure I can make something a bit more powerful than a "bunny load" that'll do nicely, and have 8-9 rounds to save the hounds from trouble...

Sound about right?

[Walks]

Well, no Cowboy Action loads because they haven't used rifle cartridge rifles for main match in almost 35yrs.
But there are some loads in the old HODGDON Cowboy Reloading Handout. If you PM me your mailing address I'll be glad to mail you a copy.
Actually looking at the booklet it only listed 2 loads.
160grs cast FP:
H4895 starting at 1350fps - 15,200cup; 17.5grs
H4198 starting at 1420fps - 15,000cup; 15.0grs

Hope it's some help. Probably too heavy for what you want.

[Mr_Sheesh]

I figure a light Unique load or Red Dot or Bullseye, I'll figure something out :) Used to load light loads with lighter boolits that'd cross the crosshairs at the same place as the heavier loads with heavier boolits, light ones for bunnies or grouse. Probably will do just that with these.

I may PC them, have to play with it to see what works :)

[jmort]

The Ranch Dog design is my favorite, but the 180 grain RCBS clone from NOE or Accurate is a hammer.
Here is some useful data using the powders you describe.
http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm
Ranch Dog had two 30-30 designs, one for the larger bore older Marlins, and one for newer Marlins and all the other 30-30s. One thing nice about Accurate is getting exactly what you want.

[Mr_Sheesh]

I've been thinking 180 Gr. for heavy loads, and a lighter boolit (maybe ~135 grains) for the reduced loads I can get it to do the "meet the crosshairs at 25 yards" trick. Though it'll fall faster at longer distances than the heavier boolits, of course. Still scratching my head some on this, those RCBS clones would be just right for full power loads definitely, PCed :)

[Outpost75]

My experience has been that with plainbased loads in the .30-30, A HALF CHARGE using any common and recommended extruded tubular rifle powder common for the cartridge with the same weight of jacketed bullet, when substituting the cast, works well. This works out to about 13 grs., of 4198, 14 grs.of RL7, 15 grs. of 3031, 16 of 4895 or Varget, 17 of 4064 or RL15.

Results track well against the old Hodgdon Cowboy handout.

[Mr_Sheesh]

Interesting! I was considering maybe W231 but can look at that definitely :)

[toallmy]

Outpost do you find a filler needed with your HALF - CHARGE ?

[popper]

I've used the hornady half jacket plinkers with unique but those light weight ones have to be seated far out to feed. I tossed maybe 20 cases with radial neck cracks - Thin neck had pressure fracture at the bullet base. The Lee soup can is popular too. I have a 31-142C I use in BO that I want to try in my M336 30/30. Should keep more in the neck. I'll try 8-10 gr unique ACWW 311. The light load in a large case may give you some vertical stringing. IIRC there are 231 cat sneeze loads for the 30/30.

[EMC45]

I would say Unique under the Lee SWC TL bullet. It's around 90gr and a good shooter.

[Mk42gunner]

To me what you are describing is a .32-20 equivalent, something with a bit more oompf than a .22 but not as powerful as a typical deer rifle. I'd start with the Lyman 311008 or any of its functional equals, 110-130 grains flat nose gas check or not and develop a load around 1200 fps or so.

Make sure it functions through your action, sight it in and make plenty of extras because they are fun to plink with.

Robert

[Muddydogs]

I cast Lee 311-93-1R bullets and load them on top of 8 grains of Unique. At 50 yards they are hitting at about the same POI as my Speer 170 grain FN bullet load thats sighted in for 100 yards. The 93 grain load is a fun plinker and can be loaded fairly cheaply.

[FredBuddy]

Marlin 30AS microgroove.

NOE 311-127 FN, checked PC'd and lubed, sized .310.

21.0 IMR 3031 approx 1600 fps.

This load gives me exceptional accuracy and
it only took me 2 years of trial and error to
get here. Outpost 75's comments helped me
get over the hump. Now I'll try his suggestion
and reduce the load some to get the plain
based version to work as well.

Good Luck !

[knothead]

I use 10 grains of blue dot over a rcbs 150gn soupcan. It’s very light and accurate, my buddy kills coyotes with it when bailing hay.

[MT Gianni]

I would get the NOE 311440 one side PB and one GC.