30-30 light load

I know this subject has probably been beat up. I picked up a savage 840 bolt action 30-30 and I just want to go out and give her a trial run. At this point haven't cast up any boolits yet but have some 150g fps plated x-treme bullets. Thinking maybe 8 g unique first thoughts were 10g unique but have 700x bullseye 2400 R15 varget 800x and a couple more. What's your guys thoughts want a light load but still some resemblance of accuracy. Came with cheap scope and off set from barrel center side mount. I like the William's peep but getting harder to get so maybe the side mount to picatinny rail. Maybe just open sights for first trip.


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10-13 grains of red dot is another consideration.

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Originally Posted by BigAlofPa.

10-13 grains of red dot is another consideration.

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I think that will be too hot in a .30-30 case. If it was me, I'd try eight grains of Unique or 700X, might even want to start with seven grains.

Those are good little rifles. You have the original Weaver side mount, there is one made now, I have them on two of mine, that is all one piece of milled aluminum and has the picatinny style on top which gives you a lot better ability to adjust fore and aft with a scope. I think it was Sun Optics, I'll see if I can find a link to it.

Here you go; https://shop.opticsplanet.com/sun-op...SABEgKcJfD_BwE

Yeah in a 30/30 it might be sorry about that. Been running that in my 7.62x54r and 30.06. My son runs 9 grains in his 243. Tomorrow were going to chrono the loads. He runs hornady in his. Im running berrys plated.

2400 is a great powder in the 30-30, and cast bullets.

My Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook from 1973 gives this data for the 311440, 150 grain gas check;

700X Min Load 6.5 grains for 1235 FPS. Max load 8 grains for 1401 FPS

Red Dot Min Load 6.8 grains for 1257. Max load 9 grains for 1481 FPS

Unique Min Load 7.5 grains for 1333 FPS. Max load 11 grains for 1478 FPS

Green Dot Min Load 7.0 for 1231 FPS. Max load 9.5 grains for 1478 FPS

Nothing there for 2400, but in my experience, it works well for cast loads, can't recall ever using it in .30-30, but 16 grains or so is a good, light starting load in the .30-06 with normal weight range cast bullets.

Im picking up 8 buckets of wheel weights from a guy who was a mechanic in the 70s so my casting will begin after some cleaning.

You can use H4895 with reduces loads, go to Hodgon's website and they have information on downloading 4895. I am using 23gr H4895 in my 30-30, with RCBS 30-165. Works well and has low recoil. I'm using a Contender 14" barrel.
Dan

If those X-treme bullets are PB I suggest 6 gr of Bullseye with no wad or filler.

Plenty of loads here. I've tried a few in a m94 and they worked well.

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

I've done most of my cast shooting in .30-30 in the 4.5 to 6 grains of Red Dot under bullets from 90 to 185 gr with and without gascheck.

All were plenty accurate. The little Lee .314 90 grain truncated cone cast bullet over 4.5 grains shoots dead to sights at 25 with the rifle sighted for 100 yards and stouter loads.

Would make a great grouse and bunny buster. Low noise, virtually no recoil.

Highest I've gone is 8 grains with Red Dot and it shot the big bullets very very well.

Here is some/ bunch of info you may find usefull

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

More specific

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

14 or 15 grains of #2400 under a Lyman #311291 is a nice combo.