Cast loads for 30/30

[matm0702]

Am new to cast loading with the 30/30. I have H4895, Varget, and Reddot. I'm also using 165 grain bullets made by National bullet co. No gaschecks as I haven't gone that far into using lead bullets. All help appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

[Tristan]

Am new to cast loading with the 30/30. I have H4895, Varget, and Reddot. I'm also using 165 grain bullets made by National bullet co. No gaschecks as I haven't gone that far into using lead bullets. All help appreciated.

Thanks

Mike


Mike -

I'm tryin' out that bullet, or one like it, too. The bullet I have is 165 gr. BB, one lube groove and machine cast by a local vendor. Hope it turns out to be an accurate plinker. I've loaded some initial test cartridges, using Unique at 10 grs.; according to my first edition RCBS CB guide, should go a bit above 1500... I have some Red Dot to try out too... When I get to shoot them, I'll let you know how they work out.

Tristan

[txbirdman]

Mike,

I load for the 30/30 but am certainly not an expert. If you're generating a hunting load you'll probably want a GC'd bullet with 4895. For plinking and paper you could try that 165 gr. bullet with about 8 gr. of Reddot. I hear that Varget works well in the 30/30 but have no first hand experience.

[versifier]

Reduced charges of RE7 and 3031 work well, too. I have never tried plain base boolits in it, and I am curious as to your results. Gas checks keep getting more expensive.

[hpdrifter]

......... Gas checks keep getting more expensive.


what isn't?

seems like everytime I go to the gunshop, there's another $40 on my favorite guns.

now that Christmas is near, gas is going up again.

[mag_01]

I like AA5744 in the 30-30 but my load would require a gas check---a reduced load of 5744 like 12 to 14 grs. or 2400 12 to 14 grs. would be something to try on that plain base boolit----Mag

[tanstafl10]

matm0702

I have a lot of fun plinking and shooting steel plates with 16.0 gr of REL 7 and a 165 gr plain base boolit which sounds a lot like yours.

I agree, GC are a place I can cut cost if I get plain base molds

Take care

[NickSS]

I have tried some cast plain based bullets I bought from a local caster and they work fine at 100 yards with 8 gr of red dot but at 200 yards I get buckshot paterns with some going in sideways.
Another load that works well in a Lyman 31108 flat point 32-20 bullet over 6 gr of red dot this makes a super fine plinking load out to 100 yards and accuate too.

[Junior1942]

Am new to cast loading with the 30/30. I have H4895, Varget, and Reddot. I'm also using 165 grain bullets made by National bullet co. No gaschecks as I haven't gone that far into using lead bullets. All help appreciated.Unless you like cleaning lead out of rifle barrels you'd best keep that plain base bullet to 1600 fps or less. Varget, especially, and 4895, to a lesser degree, don't work well at lower velocity/pressure.

[bglz42]

I like 8gr Red Dot behind almost any plain base boolit I can get my hands on. I have a '64 (not pre-) carbine and a long barrelled Canadian (shooter), and they both just love that load.

Jim in Texas

[Bullshop]

bglz42
Your 8gn RD load just stood out and got my attention. OH YEA! Thats what I shoot in my 38/55 roller, the one we won the Waksupi match with last year. Might be one of those universal loads for the 30/30 case in any cal.
BIC/BS

[georgewxxx]

This is from the #40 Ideal handbook. It might give you some starting loads....Geo

[bglz42]

Bullshop, glad to hear someone else using that load. I also use 8 grs red dot in my Swedish Mauser behind a lead bullet. Extremely accurate, low recoil and quiet. IMHO, RD is a great powder for reduced lead loads, (which is typically all I shoot.)

Happy New Year!

Jim in Texas

[Whit Spurzon]

Another vote for Red Dot. I have gotten excellent accuracy with a plain based 170 gr commercial bullet.