30 Herrett Contender loads

[JohnFM]

All my manuals are from before the cartridge or too new and don't list it any more.
Kind of hard to find too much on the internet too except for some jacketed loads.
Looking for some start up loads for cast in 100 to around 115 grn. to work with.

[Shooter]

Lyman #311359 115 Gr.
Powder
IMR 4227 start 16.8 vel.1620 max 21.0 vel. 1951
IMR 4198 start 16.8 vel. 1362 max 21.0 vel. 1691
2400 start 15.2 vel. 1602 max 19.0 vel. 1964
RX7 start 20.8 vel. 1311 max. 26.0 vel. 1816
10" BBl.

[JohnFM]

Great, thanks.
That gives me good figures to work with.
I had been loading 115 grn over 14 grns 2400.
Nice to see some comparable data for 4198 and 4227.
I was forming cases with 8 grns Unique, which seemed to work, but never found any other data on it except to fire form.

[Mk42gunner]

The second edition Lee manual has the .30 Herrett in it. How good the data is, or who it is from; I do not know.

Robert

[JohnFM]

I know that Lee manual has quite a bit of cast bullet loads in it.
Some day I'll remember to get a copy.

[Shooter]

Somewhere I heard that 7.62X39 has the same case capasity as .30 Herrett, and data can be interchanged.
YMMV

[JohnFM]

Thanks Shooter. That switched on a light. I remember reading something to that effect too someplace.

[TCLouis]

Lee Book says 1.97 cc for the Herrett and 2.03 for the Russki short so they are close.
Expansion ratio is essentially the same so one could likely use a modicum of caution and develop loads.

I like the fact that Lee uses cc's of Usable capacity when discussing case capacity.

[JohnFM]

Since I started digging for loads for that 30 Herrett I've found quite a few, so I doubt I'll even mess with working off that Russian round.
Found loads using from Unique down to I think it was Reloader7 that was the slowest.
Shot a bunch of Lee 311-100-2R sized to .309 and cast with Lyman #2 over 15 grns of IMR4227 the other day. That was a nice accurate load.

My barrel is one with really short free bore, so I've been choosing molds to cast a pointed bullet so I can seat them without getting too deep.
Since the molds are fairly expensive I think I'll try a 311410 next month.

Glad I have a good supply of 30-30 cases to work with. I'm finishing up reforming a 100 cases.

[canyon-ghost]

Check into Loadbooks USA like you see at the gun shows. I have both volumes for TC Contender.

Powder choices with Lyman bullets are H-110, 2400,SR 4759, IMR 4227, IMR 4198, RX7, and H-335

Loadbooks USA: 661-269-8991

PO Box 129,
Acton, CA 93510

http://www.loadbooks.com/index.html

On page four of the Store: Both Volumes For TC Contender!!

*Shaking my head, another lost Contender shooter, tsk, tsk.*

[JohnFM]

Yeah, there was a guy had a pile of them at a gun show I went to a couple weeks ago. Then got to BSing and forgot to go back. :lol:

[725]

Not to bring up those nasty J-things, here's a published "Suggested MAXIMUM LOAD DATA for the .30 cal Herrett", by Bob Milek. Reduce by 10% to start.

COAL:2.010
Speer .308, 110 Gr Varminter
CCI 200
24.0 Gr H4227
2,458 fps

COAL: 2.017
Speer .308, 110 Gr Round Nose
CCI 200
22.5 Gr 2400
2,509 fps

COAL:2.160
Speer .308, 110 Gr Spire Point
CCI 200
23.5 H4427
2,547 fps

COAL: 2.160
Sierra .308, 125 Gr Spitzer
CCI 200
28.5 Norma 200
2,299 fps

Note, thats H4227 and not IMR4227. They are close but not the same. It's all from the printed load sheet that came with the original dies when they first came out. FYI & good luck.

[JohnFM]

Which dies was that? The Pacific set T/C used to sell?
I have a set of them, but never got the papers that came with them originally.

[JohnFM]

Don't think I'll have much interest in bullets over about 130 grain.
It'll probably never do anything anymore but punch paper and plug an odd tin can.
I have a Lee 100grn PBRN that does nice, plus still have quite a few 115grn that fit right from MBC.
I've found a couple Lymans and an RCBS that look good.

[Lonegun1894]

I know you said that you probably wont have much interest in anything over 130grs, but I use the Lee 150FPGC, Lee 170FPGC, and the Lee 155gr GC as has been suggested, and all three shoot great. Definitely starting to have a preference for the FPGC designs though, but that is me, not the gun.
Mine is a 10" with a 4x Simmons scope, and with a good rest, no wind, and me crossing my eyes just right, the gun will do 3-4" regularly with any of the above boolits. My best group so far was 1 1/4", with 4 out of 5 rds going into 3/4", but I haven't been able to repeat that, yet.

[JohnFM]

I never had much interest in the Contenders, or the later models.
They've been popular around here for a long time, I know a guy who must have 15 or 20 of them.
I bought this one mostly on a whim because I thought that cartridge I got was interesting.
It's been fun to shoot and surprisingly accurate. Shoots way better than I can now, my eyes are about gone.
The scope on this one sure helps.
I have the advantage of a pistol range beside the house and the bench for a 500 yard range a couple hundred foot walk out the front door. So, I can put together some loads and just walk out and try them.
I'm sure now I'll be keeping an eye peeled for barrels :)

[wallenba]

Which dies was that? The Pacific set T/C used to sell?
I have a set of them, but never got the papers that came with them originally.

That's the set I started with. IIRC, the forming die could push the shoulder too far down. Getting that set right cost me a lot of brass as a beginner, you can't undo that.
I think I still have them somewhere. The RCBS is the best set.

[JohnFM]

I have the Pacific set. I had never done any forming to the extent these needed before.
I did luck out and run into a guy I knew from years ago who knew the 30 Herrett well and he gave me some pointers.
Then I've run across this:
http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=172&

I built a jig for cutting off the necks, but of the first 50 cases I made, I still managed to ruin about 4 or 5.
Getting the die set up WAS a chore, but finally got that right.
Then I lucked out and had a couple bullets I could seat normally and still keep out of the lands with this short free bore I have.

Main problem I'm having now is getting the neck resized correctly without bumping the shoulder.
It works, but not really well.
I think I might break down and order that RCBS neck die.

[Leadmelter]

JohnFM
If you watch Gunbroker or Ebay, I have had some good luck there with TC barrels.
I scored a 375 Winchester barrel this spring in Super 14 with a muzzle brake for under $300.
I shoot 247gr Lyman cast. Lots of fun.
Gerry
MI

[Shooter]

Since the molds are fairly expensive I think I'll try a 311410 next month.


I have that mold. I haven't been able to make it "Sing" to me in the Herrett or .32-20.
I must not have found the right combo of powder and alloy.:|

[JohnFM]

Hope you find what it takes, I kinda had my mind set on that mold.
With the 100 and 115 grn RN I've been trying I've had the best results with moderate loads of 2400 and IMR4227. They're about a Lyman #2 mix.

[Mark85304]

I think I'll try a 311410 next month.

Did you ever try the 311410? Results?

I found as long as I kept the velocity below about 1500 fps shooting straight WW, I had pretty good accuracy with cast boolits and several powders. Add a CG and I could drive them near J-word velocities with good accuracy using 4198, 3031, 4227 and even BL-C(2) (best in my 7mmTCU). This was in the 80s and I have not shot much since then. Now I'm working up loads for the .30 Herrett and it's bigger brother .357 Herrett once again.

I'd like to find a 311414 and give that a try for pistol silhouette (I want the heavier boolit for full-size ram knockdown power at 200m).

[JohnFM]

Sorry to say I've hardly done anything shooting related since about my last post.
I lost most of my vision in my right eye and I'm waiting on docs right now to find out if there is any way to get it back.

[Shooter]

Sorry to say I've hardly done anything shooting related since about my last post.
I lost most of my vision in my right eye and I'm waiting on docs right now to find out if there is any way to get it back.

I have that problem with a catarac.
Learning to shoot pistols with your left eye ain't bad. Rifles left handed are tough.

[JohnFM]

Problem isn't cataracts. I've known I had them developing for several years.
That's really how the eye doc found the problem, I had decided it was time to get that cataract surgery lined up and was in to get all the examinations and checks done in preparation.
He found I have a CRVO and now after a couple more doctors they're trying to figure out what caused it and why it happened so fast.

[x101airborne]

I wish you luck with your vision problems. Bout the closest I have ever come is a real bad wealders burn, but that is it.

I too am suffering from a severe case of Thompsonius Barreleitus. I have both a Contender and an Encore frame and so far I have acquired a 14 inch 308 Win, a 24 inch 338-06, a 14 inch 7-30 waters, a 10 inch 7 TCU, a 30 herret, a 12 inch 41 mag, a 14 inch 44 mag, and a 10 inch 45 colt. I buy most any barrels that I can get for under 150.00 regardless of caliber.

[725]

JohnFM,
My thoughts are with you. Hope there is an answer to the vision problem. Yes, I have the Pacific dies, only because they came with the barrel. In any event, they work for me and have produced many good rounds. I form the brass in the die, mark a cut off point and slip the brass into a 1"x2" with a hole drilled to hold the case and then it's held in my stand up vise. Friction fit is all that's needed to hold the brass. Use a dremel to rough cut to length and then finish up with the Lee case trimmer. Had to special order the case length gage from Lee, but it was well worth it. Can poroduce many pre-fire formed brass in short order. Same for the .35 Herrett.

[JohnFM]

I had rigged up a jig on a drill press with a shell holder from a Lee trimmer and a thin Dremmel saw blade for doing the initial cut off.
Then after forming a final trim on a Forster.
made for pretty quick work.

Still don't know what's going to happen with my eyes. Got about a week yet till another doctor appointment. It's reached the point now where I have to be really careful driving.

[Mark85304]

Problem isn't cataracts. I've known I had them developing for several years.
That's really how the eye doc found the problem, I had decided it was time to get that cataract surgery lined up and was in to get all the examinations and checks done in preparation.
He found I have a CRVO and now after a couple more doctors they're trying to figure out what caused it and why it happened so fast.

Sorry to hear about you issue with your vision. I hope you find a solution. My family has a history of Macular Degeneration (SP?) and I am afraid of it coming my way. Not much one can do about that.

[JohnFM]

Wish I could add something good to this thread, but I'm at a standstill.
No shooting, reloading, casting, nada.
Slews of blood tests have been done trying to find a cause for my vision loss, there's nothing abnormal.
I just got this friggen plug in the main vein in my eyeball!
Back in wait mode now while the sawbones try to figure out what to do next.

[725]

Good luck. I bet the Doc's find something to get 'er done. Hang in there.

[Shooter]

Wish I could add something good to this thread, but I'm at a standstill.
No shooting, reloading, casting, nada.
Slews of blood tests have been done trying to find a cause for my vision loss, there's nothing abnormal.
I just got this friggen plug in the main vein in my eyeball!
Back in wait mode now while the sawbones try to figure out what to do next.

I found out what I though was a catarac was what you have. I got an injection (Yep, needle in the eye) this week. I go back next month for more and then lazers to weld some leaks.

[Tatume]

The Hodgdon web site has load data for many cartridges, including this one.

http://hodgdon.com/

Preferred powders for your weight bullet are IMR 3031, IMR 4198, IMR 4227, & H110.

Take care, Tom

[marshall623]

I just started cast for the 30 Herrett myself . I'm working with a lee 309-150-F. Its a good looking bullet I think. I reduced the J data I had with 4759 and IMR4198 I had them too hot , the lighter end shot better. I'm going with the 4198 and seating them out further and see what happens . The first testing I got around 1 1/2" at 50 yrds. Looks promising I believe I can tighten this up a bunch more. This is my first batch from staight ACWW's , sized .309 and lubed with carnuba red . I would like to try some ranch dogs if anyone has any they could sell
http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv151/marshall623/Timpic037.jpg

[Beerd]

If we are posting pictures of 30 Herret CB loads, here is what I used before moving on to a .357 Max,

Heavier than what the OP is interested in, loaded with a certain amount of IMR 4227 it is good for 1650 ft/sec. in a 10" barrel.

..

[kir_kenix]

I know this is an old thread, but I've been shooting the Herrett alot this summer experimenting. My wife and I both plan to take whitetails with this cartridge this fall.

I am really liking the 113 Lee "soupcan" over 20-21 Grs of Win 296. I can dig my chrony info out if anybody is really interested, but It is very accurate out to 100 yards, but may becoming unstable between 130-150 yards.

I have 3 different pistol length 30 Herretts and 1 rifle tube on the contender frame. Seating depth varies for each barrel. Size all of them to .310 and havn't experienced any leading with WD-COWW. They all weigh in between 123-124 grains. I segregate by .5 grns. Win or Federal primers. Leaning towards Win primers right now.

I hear alot of folks do not like win 296 in the Herrett. I have found it to be quite the winner in my tubes. Have not experimented with temperature swings yet. Plan to place a few in a cooler and see how they react to very low temps.

[725]

I have had very good results with the old group buy intended for the K-31 Swiss rifle and 2230 powder. Zips along and is scarry accurate.

[Rocky Raab]

I've written about the 30 Herrett (as well as many more Contender rounds) and as coincidence would have it, I'm planning to sell all four of my remaining barrels this weekend at a gun show, plus the pistol frame and the complete carbine. One of them is the 30 Herrett which I've had from the very beginning almost 35 years ago. If they all sell, I'll be out of the Contender business for good. I won't mind if they don't sell, though.

I made my longest kill on a muley with that barrel - 425 steps, or perhaps 350 yards. I shoot a few 110-gr RN cast bullets through it, but it sees mostly 125 Ballistic Tips, Hornady 110 RN bullets for the 30 Carbine, and 100 half-jacket Speer Plinkers.

[jixxerbill]

im just getting into gc boolits for hunting. ive casted for years for my 9mm,.40 and .45. i decided to get going on my .357 herrett and use it for hunting whitetail this year, i wondered if i could make my .30 herrett hit with enough oomph to use it for hunting deer... i killed my first whitetail with a pistol last year with my 7-30 waters... i have ordered molds in 7mm and .30 off the gb section for next years hunting... contenderitus does get ahold of you then there is no turning back lol.... i also have a 270 ren, 44 mag, 7tcu, .35 remmy, and a custom 204 ruger necked up to 6mm.. basically a 6tcu but 204 ruger case is a tad longer...called a 240 raptor<---DEATH on groundhogs...also i just picked op a .221 fireball barrel.... looks like i need to fix my sig now ...sierra manual has alot of older wildcat loads in it but for jacketed bullets ofc...

[TCLouis]

Jixxerbill

A member here in the past used the 115 grain Lee boolit for W.V. wihte tail deer out of the 30 Herrett Contender.

Early on in the beginning of handgun hunting, the 110 grain Soft Nose Carbine bullet was popular for deer.

I know it will kill small deer at 2150 fps

[Three44s]

Rocky,

That article you wrote on the .30 Herret is a GEM just like all your other work!

I have just spoke for a .30 Herret Contender barrel in 10" on another forum ......... will get it shortly.

It joins a .357 Herret and .30-30 barrel in 14" and a whole bunch of others, some long tubes as well............

I am in full Contenderitis here as well!!

The 7mm TCU is a great little number as well.

Best regards

Three 44s

[felix]

I've made brass for a friend's gun and shot 18 grains 4227 with the 311291 boolit, sized 308. Neck clearances were checked using the cases after chopped from 30-30 length. I seated the boolits such that they were jammed into the rifling upon fast and hard closing on a 14 twist 10 inch barrel. Installed his Control three ring mounts and 2x Leupold before shooting. Accuracy was 1.00-1.25 inch constant groups during a normal Houston Texas range temp at a hunnert using freshly cut brass and repeated with reloads. My first and last time with any Contender/Center gun. I have been told several years ago that the gun has killed many Texas deer with that same load. As far as I know, the load was never changed. ... felix

[JohnFM]

Just a short note.
It seems my sight loss is permanent due to a stroke.
I'm going through an uncomfortable treatment now of an injection into the eye every month. The Doc says after 2 or 3 years there's a possibility of regaining some use, but not to expect too much.

[725]

John,
I'm very sorry to hear this update. I continue to wish you the best possible.
725

[billurbank]

I had a Lee collet die made for mine. LOVE IT! and Lee did not charge a fortune for it. I made Woods metal casts of my chamber so that I could trim the brass to fit. Nice when you are only loading for the one barrel. I use a 357 herrett cut off die and then finish the forming with a full sizing die. Trim to the meausrement from the chamber mold, load and fireform. From that point on it is all collet die and little to no trimming.
I have owned both a one in 14 twist, it had a long lead chamber. I am shooting a 1 in 10 twist with the short lead. Went searching for the one in ten to shoot heavier bullets. I bring this up because both barrells liked the bullet seated at the base of the neck. The twist rates really changed the pressure levels with the 1 in 10 building pressure musch quicker. The 1 in ten will stabilize a 200gr cast out at 200M where the 1 in 14 doesn't like much over 150 at that distance
Obviously I have been fussing with the T/C 30 Herret combo awhile and intend to continue.

[wichitadude]

Great, thanks.
That gives me good figures to work with.
I had been loading 115 grn over 14 grns 2400.
Nice to see some comparable data for 4198 and 4227.
I was forming cases with 8 grns Unique, which seemed to work, but never found any other data on it except to fire form.

If you could would you elaborate on your use of Unique in fire forming the 30 Herrett

[Beerd]

Let me add this to an OLD thread:
309235
..