Which Powder?

[Wrbjr]

I now have the RanchDog TLC311-165 mold and .310 sizing die on hand. I would like to reload for Deer and Hog... but am overwhelmed at all of the possible powders that have been discussed.

Any suggestions on one or two choices that work well for the critters?

I am anxious to take this 336 to the woods and make that first kill with my own ammo....:popcorn:

[btroj]

So many will work that it is impossible to say one is "best". I used RE15 because I have lots on hand. H355 and BL-C2 are never bad options. Someone will certainly suggest 3031.

Pick about any medium burner and you will have good results. 30-30 is not very powder picky at all.

[Buckshot]

..............The 30-30 Win is one of the best all around CB cartridges out there. You can pretty much load 'book' loads for same weight cast as jacketed. A bit of alloy tweeking may be called for depending upon what you'll be doing with the rifle. And yes, 3031 is an outstanding powder for the 30-30.

..............Buckshot

[Larry Gibson]

Pretty sure 26 - 30 gr of 4895 will work very well.

Larry Gibson

[jimkim]

I mostly use W748/BL-C(2)/H335 and IMR-4895 now. The reason I put those together is because I pretty much use them interchangeably. IMR-4350 does well too, but you sacrifice velocity.

[Wrbjr]

Can I make up a formula that will work well hunting without using the Gas Checks?

[Buckshot]

Can I make up a formula that will work well hunting without using the Gas Checks?

..............Sure, but your velocity will be restricted, and it generally best to use a PB slug instead of a GC design sans GC. In that case you'll probably be working with the faster powders like 4227 and faster. Try 12-14 grains of it with a dacron filler. Those charges work very well in the 32-40 with 165gr PB boolits.

...............Buckshot

[helice]

Favorite 30-30 load.
Win Large Rifle Primer
165gr gas checked Ranch Dog over
24 - 7 That's 24 grains of ReLoder7
Easy to remember 24-7. Great in the Trapper

[pdawg_shooter]

..............Sure, but your velocity will be restricted, and it generally best to use a PB slug instead of a GC design sans GC. In that case you'll probably be working with the faster powders like 4227 and faster. Try 12-14 grains of it with a dacron filler. Those charges work very well in the 32-40 with 165gr PB boolits.

...............Buckshot

If you want full velocity with no GCs, go to paper patching.

[Centaur 1]

I definately need a lot more range time, but I'll share my results with that boolit. I first tried IMR4895 and had horrible results no matter what I tried. I have a problem with lead deposits on the outside of the neck with this powder. I don't understands why this happens with my rifle, because lots of guys have success with it. On the suggestion of others on this site I bought some RL-7 to try. I still get some lead deposits, but only a very small amount compared to the 4895 loads. Accuracy has improved as well with RL-7. I still get an occasional flier, but I suspect that my casting technique is to blame. I tried powder charges of 25-28 grains and the lighter loads gave me the best groups. I going to try Helice's advice and try some loaded with 24 grains the next time out. I did notice one nice thing while using RL-7, my point of impact was right with, or slightly higher than factory loads. Until now all of my reloads with cast boolits have a p.o.i. that is 6-8" lower than factory rounds.

[fishnbob]

[QUOTE=Centaur 1;1493631] I have a problem with lead deposits on the outside of the neck with this powder. I don't understands why this happens with my rifle, because lots of guys have success with it. On the suggestion of others on this site I bought some RL-7 to try. I still get some lead deposits, but only a very small amount compared to the 4895 loads.

I have had some issues with cast boolits in rifles but I have never heard of LEAD Deposits on the neck. Can someone explain how this happens? I have seen necks get smoked up but never leaded up.

[sewerman68]

My most accurate load in my winchester is 18.5 gr of 5744 under a 165 Ranch Dog.

[6pt-sika]

I loaded a pile of the Ranch Dog 311-165GC sized in a .312" die and pushed with XMP5744 . Shot them in maybe 12 different Marlin 30-30's both ballard and micro groove . Also shot them in a Winchester 94 . They all did well on paper and metallic silhouettes out to 200 meters . My load with XMP5744 was 21 or 22 grains depending on the rifle . This was also a good deer load .

In the past I used the Lyman 311041 with 17.5 grains of SR4759 so I am assuming this load or possibly a grain more would work with the RD 311-165GC . Oh incidently that SR4759 with the Lyman 311041 was a deer killer as well .

[6pt-sika]

If you want full velocity with no GCs, go to paper patching.

The only reason I can think of to not wanna use GC's is to save time or a small monetary amount . I suppose you could save on the monetary part using paper patch but it darn sure isn't gonna be any time saved !

[1Shirt]

That RD mold is excellent. Have molds w/ and w/0 gc. W/0 gc, it makes a good cheap plinker in all of the 30's out to about 1400 or so. I like it with most 30's including and maybe best in 30-30 over Trail Boss. Have shot the GC with a number of powders listed and had good luck and acceptable accuracy. Like 5744 or BL-C for pdrs as well as 2400.
Good luck!
1Shirt!:coffee:

[hydraulic]

How much 4895 are you using? Are you shooting a gas check bullet without a gas check? How are you belling the neck of the case? Lead on the outside of the neck sounds like the neck has not been expanded and it is scraping lead off the bullet when you seat it.

[jonas302]

I have had my 30-30 necks get lead on them shooting cat sneeze loads of unique I have been led to believe the charge was to light to expand the brass tightly against the chamber and with higher loadings it did go away

[Centaur 1]

I have had my 30-30 necks get lead on them shooting cat sneeze loads of unique I have been led to believe the charge was to light to expand the brass tightly against the chamber and with higher loadings it did go away

I don't have my notebook with me right now, but I went all the way up to max with imr4895. I'm led to believe that if the powder is on the slow side, max pressure isn't reached soon enough to expand the case neck before gas leaks by.


How much 4895 are you using? Are you shooting a gas check bullet without a gas check? How are you belling the neck of the case? Lead on the outside of the neck sounds like the neck has not been expanded and it is scraping lead off the bullet when you seat it.
This is one thing that I'm careful with. I use the Lee case expanding die and I'm not shaving lead.

[pdawg_shooter]

The only reason I can think of to not wanna use GC's is to save time or a small monetary amount . I suppose you could save on the monetary part using paper patch but it darn sure isn't gonna be any time saved !

Nope, no time saved. But then I load for performance, not volume. When I can match or better the velocity and accuracy of my jacketed loads with cast by using a scrap of paper, I go for it. It allows allows me to use a softer alloy for better performance on game. In fact, in my 30-30 with 173gr bullets I use pure lead with 2% tin. Fantastic game bullet.

[P.K.]

Favorite 30-30 load.
Win Large Rifle Primer
165gr gas checked Ranch Dog over
24 - 7 That's 24 grains of ReLoder7
Easy to remember 24-7. Great in the Trapper

Ohhhhh boy new load to try! Wonder how it will do with C309-150F? (Methinks purdy good! ;-))

[rintinglen]

32 grains of WW-748 has worked well in three marlins, 5 winchesters and a Savage under a Lyman 311-041. However, there are at least a dozen powders that will work. The 30-30 has proven to be the most Cast boolit friendly cartridge out side of the 45-70 in my experience. It is damned hard to go wrong.

[Wrbjr]

I think I will use the gas checks, just was wondering if they were necessary for target loads at lower velocities. I suppose if I use them on all of my loads I can't go wrong.

As for the original question as to which powder, I have located some at a range locally. I obtained 1 lb of LeverEvolution and 1 lb of IMR4895. So I have some on hand now. I appreciate all of the comments and advice.