Quicky 30-30 test today

[dubber123]

I picked up a Savage model 219 in 30-30 thinking it would be a great cast bullet shooter, as it had an excellent bore. (Cheap too). Well it just hasn't shot well with anything yet. The best I could get was 1-1/2" at 50 yds. with the iron sights. I tried the 311291 with 2400, the 311466, and the 311041, and nothing helped. The triggers not good, and the sights stink, so I put an older U.S.A. made steel Weaver 2.5X on it, figuring it would eliminate the crappy sights. It didn't shoot any better. Anyways, as a test, I figured I'd load some of the RCBS 32-98 grain SWC, which has shot very well in my Smith revolver, and Marlin 32-20. To keep velocity down, (and because my powder drop was set for it), I dropped 4.5 grs. of Bullseye. Big difference! The first 50 yd. group was 1/4" wide, X 5/8" high. The vertical stringing is no doubt my fault. I shot several more groups , the last was at least round and just over 5/8". The gun will shoot I guess, It just didn't like what I was feeding it! I didn't chrono it, but it feels and sounds like my 32-20. Should be a good small game load.

[Buckshot]

..............Before I read to the place where you'd gotten it shooting I was all ready to suggest you check the crown. I borrowed a buddies Savage M340 in 30-30 for my daughter to use on her first deer hunt. It wouldn't hit anything but the ground. Checked it out and found the crown was boogered so I got his permission to have my smith re-crown it. Turned into a nice shooter after that!

Slug it if ya haven't yet. The above Savage had a .310" groove.

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

[dubber123]

..............Before I read to the place where you'd gotten it shooting I was all ready to suggest you check the crown. I borrowed a buddies Savage M340 in 30-30 for my daughter to use on her first deer hunt. It wouldn't hit anything but the ground. Checked it out and found the crown was boogered so I got his permission to have my smith re-crown it. Turned into a nice shooter after that!

Slug it if ya haven't yet. The above Savage had a .310" groove.

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

I haven't slugged it, but my first loads were sized to .310' and shot poorly with alot of leading, .311" was better, but still leaded badly, .312" and all the lead went away, but groups haven't been stellar. I'll have to fiddle some more, but at least the RCBS bullet will get it shootable while I work on it.

[BudRow]

I have had my best luck with 20 grs. of IMR 4198 and 311041 in the 30-30. Gas checked and sized to .311". Good load for my Win. mod. 94.

[Char-Gar]

Methinks you have a rifle problem and not a load issue. Either the crown as Buckshot mentioned or some metal to wood (beding) issues. Browning Acra Gel is wonderful stuff to keep the metal to wood fit tight so things don't rattle around as the loads increase in power.

[1Shirt]

Have a little 340 that shoots just about anything that I stuff in it reasonably well as long as it is .311. Weights from 93 to 180, and most will stay around an inch or under at 50 yds w/2.5 Lyman scope. It is my loaner rifle.
1Shirt!:coffee:

[dubber123]

The crown looks good, but that doesn't mean anything. The fact it shoots one bullet around 1/2" at 50 yds. with this horrid trigger means it's probably OK though. The bedding is an interesting thought, as the forend on these just clips on, and kinda floats around. Maybe I should try a few heavy bullet groups with the forend off? While it's nice to get it to shoot with the light RCBS slugs, I really want it to shoot some heavier bullet stuff, like the pending 311291 GB mould I bought just for this gun!