Range report: Experimental load

[Jim]

A friend gave me a bag full of .32 auto pistol ammo. I got to thinkin' and pulled a few of the bullets. As best I can tell, they are 71 grain Hornady XTPs, so I worked up some experimental loads with WC820 for my new Marlin .30-30. So, without further ado, here's the data from my test.

PURPOSE OF TEST-
Establish high pressure limit

TEST PLATFORM-
Pre-cross bolt safety Marlin 336, .30-30 caliber

BULLET-
Hornady XTP, 71 grain, .312 diameter

CASES-
Assorted

POWDER-
WC 820
NOTE: Burn rate equivalent is AA #9 & 2400. Originally used in M-1 carbine.

PRIMER-
Winchester larger rifle

STARTING LOAD-
20 grains

HIGH END LOAD-
24 grains

Primers were slightly flattened, but not riveted. Very slight cratering occurred at 24 grains.

Velocity is unknown as no chrony was involved in test.

http://floydpics.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/dscn1039-e1344035868227.jpg

[Olevern]

Jim,
ya got it all wrong. When someone gives you a passel of ammo for a gun ya don't have, it's a sign from heaven that ya need to go out and buy one to use up that ammo in.

Beretta tomcat would be just the thing.

[blackhawk44]

They sell chamber inserts that will allow you to fire .32ACP in the .30-30 chamber. About $25 I believe.

[Lonegun1894]

I have done similar tests with 90gr XTPs in .30-30, .308, .30-06. Fun to play with, but game performance was only useful when the velocity was kept down, as the top loads resulted in a good group at 50yds, a grayish puff of smoke at about 75yds, a shotgun pattern at 80, and no sign of impact at 100yds. I have been thinking of getting some FMJs to try, but never felt like spending the money--too cheap. I think you should have a good varmint load if you can get accuracy without exceeding whatever the limit on this bullet is so it doesn't come apart on you in flight like mine did at high velocity. For what it's worth though, my experiments were going about 4K fps according to a friends old (and questionable) chronograph when launched from the 06, and I doubt a .30-30 can get there so yours should be much more useful than mine were. All we were trying to do was see what kind of velocity we could get, and weren't worried about what the utility was.

[FergusonTO35]

Interesting test. I'm planning to work up some 115 grain loads for mine.