Hello all, as you might have read in another thread I've just got a 30-30 barrel bored for 38-55 by JES. I do NOT plan to normally load max loads, not by any means. My old shoulders just don't take recoil as they did years ago. BUT - for a max hunting load for whitetail deer in Alabama 'n Mississippi - just how much would be "too much" for a 1960's era Marlin 336 action? I read the 30-30 is normally a 42,000 PSI (CUP?) rated cartridge. Would it be ok to load a hunting load for the 38-55 to the same pressures?
It seems the 38-55 cartridge was loaded to 30k CUP which is plenty of power - and more recoil than I'd care to handle. Looking at QL (seems I remember QL isn't as accurate with straight wall cartridges as with bottle necks?) using the Lee .379-250-F cast bullet and 3031 power which I've got on hand I get the following:
30 grain = 17,751 psi with 1537 fps (this would be a nice light shooting load)
34 grain = 25895 psi with 1781 fps (this would be a nice hunting load)
36 grain = 313151 psi with 1905 fps (Would this not be a safe load?)
38 grain = 37965 psi with 2029 fps (Why would this not be a "safe" load since the action is designed for 42K psi?)
Mostly this discussion is just that, discussion and a learning experience for me from ya'll who are so much more knowledgeable than I am.
Today I'm loading a few rounds with 8 grains unique for getting rifle sighted in and see what that will do. Should be a nice light plinking load 1100 or so fps.
Ken H>