Good powders and cast bullet weights for marlin 336 30-30?

[slips73]

Hey everyone, new to reloading for 30-30 and was wondering what are some good powders and bullet weights in cast, for 30-30. I am looking for a versatile round I can try in my rifle. I tried IMR-4198 under a 165 gr. cast .311 bullet but it doesnt like it at all.

What are some other ones to check out? I have heard imr-4198 isnt a good lower velocity round as well? Is this true..., I dont have a ton of money so I would like to find a bullet I can use for both shooting steel, deer and possibly some rabbit and grouse maybe squirrel hunting. And powders to go along with it. I would like to keep it at one bullet. So i can get into casting in the future.


Thanks,

Adam

[seaboltm]

The 165 grain with some Red Dot or Green Dot should get you a lower velocity round. Lyman #4 shows 6.5 grains 1148 fps or 8.5 grains MAX Red Dot with a 169 grain cast for 1363fps. 7 grains of Green Dot is listed at 1126 fps while 9 grains MAX of Green Dot for 1348fps. Also see 7 grains of Unique yields 1211fps and Unique 10.6 grains MAX generates 1568 fps. Start at the minimum and work up.

[Bzcraig]

several great threads on just that, search 30-30 and you will find them

[btroj]

I use a 165 ranch dog bullet at .311 over 16 to 17 gr of 2400. Goes 1650 or so and it shoots well.

A Marlin 30-30 shouldn't be tough to get decent loads for. I can think of many rifle cartridges with more moulds or load data available.

[Doc Highwall]

slips73, what was the rest of your load like, what was the bullet alloy and how much 4198?
What kind of dies and did you use and did you use a M-die.

[slips73]

slips73, what was the rest of your load like, what was the bullet alloy and how much 4198?
What kind of dies and did you use and did you use a M-die.


I have almost no budget as a college student so I was using a lee classic loader (which I have had excellent success with .357 mag in)

I was using hunter supply 165 grain hardcast. .311 dia. (actually had and still have a problem with these chambering)

so i have no dies.

And I was using 18.9 grs of 4198.

[leeggen]

https://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=001951264366462437169:ggn3vg-bjum
Try this google search: punch in loading for 30-30 also try to get a good reloading book, most have really good answers for simple questions.
CD

[seaboltm]

The Lee Classic Loader only neck sizes. Your lever action may need the cases resized a bit more than that. Perhaps that is why you are having a hard time chambering a round? This is not a problem with the 357 magnum as there is no shoulder; it is straight walled. For 30-30 a cheap press and a set of Lee dies would make a big difference.

[RickinTN]

Your 18.9 grains is probably a little stiff for a plain-based bullet, which I think the bullet you mention is. Actually the 4198's work quite well in the 1,400 or so fps range with the proper bullet. You're probably getting velocities in the mid to upper 1,600 fps range. You'll need a bullet that fits well and which has a gas-check for those speeds. The Lee loader set may work just fine, but you'll have to have a way to flare the case mouths slightly to make it easier to seat the bullets. A pointy 33 or 35 caliber bullet pushed slightly into the case mouth pointy part first may work for this on the cheap. Unique with 7 or so grains may work with your bullet.

Good Luck,
Rick

[slips73]

The Lee Classic Loader only neck sizes. Your lever action may need the cases resized a bit more than that. Perhaps that is why you are having a hard time chambering a round? This is not a problem with the 357 magnum as there is no shoulder; it is straight walled. For 30-30 a cheap press and a set of Lee dies would make a big difference.

I think after posting it in three sites, the general consensus seemed to be the bullet I was using, not so much the dia. but the actual bullet because it had too wide/long of an ogive which caused the rifling lands to imprint on the bullet and caused me tons of problems, but necksized brass w/out a bullet seated, cycled flawlessy. I am still going to full length resize and than after finding something my rifle likes, I will mess around with trying neck resizing and whatnot.


here is the thread on here if you can offer any idea.?

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?217688-Marlin-336-30-30-reloading-need-help!

[Mik]

I started loading for my m94 with 165 grain plain based bullets and 4198 as well. I had zero accuracy until lowering the charge to 15 grains (1400 fps?). And that load still left behind some lead in the bore. I put the same bullet over 7gr unique (1200fps) and that made a huge improvement. If you want to use 4198, you might be better off with a gas checked bullet. I've gotten good results with the Lyman 311291 sized to 311 over 18-21 grains of h4198. (1600-1800fps)

[Doc Highwall]

For cast bullets you really need something like a Lyman M-Die.

[waco]

2400, and 3031 are good places to start.

[retiredPO]

Hivelocity helped me out with the same issue.... He had me use a .224 case to flare the 30-30 case, tap with a lead hammer, it worked like a champ.... no more shaved lead.... then he had me start with 20 grain of 3031.... havent had time to do much with it, but the first two shots at 30 yrds... you could barely tell there were 2 holes....