Getting Started in .30-30

[SirMike1983]

I have shot .30-30 in my Winchester '94 for a couple years and want to get started in reloading for it. My goal is reduced recoil target loads out to 100 yards using cast bullets. I'm shooting paper targets and metal plates offhand. I use iron sights. Accuracy just needs to stay on a pie plate sized target at 100 yards, so don't need match grade stuff.

I have my basic reloading set up for my revolvers already, but what will I need for the lever rifle? I need a set of dies, but which set is best in terms of components? Lyman and RCBS offer 2 die sets, but Lee offers 3 and 4 die sets apparently. I will probably need the Type M neck expander die as well, will I not? The tooling needed for my revolvers was fairly straightforward but I find the variety of rifle dies somewhat more confusing.

I already have my powder and primers: SR4759 and Winchester Large Rifle. Press it the single stage Lyman Crusher II. I have a mild preference for Lyman stuff, but I'm open to others certainly.

[45coltnut]

Hi,
I have a variety of dies from Lee, RCBS, Lyman and Redding. I like them all. And, I find myself buying more and more Lee dies than others simply due to cost. And, from what you say that would be my direction. When I load for my precision scoped bolt guns I do prefer really good dies and typically use neck sizers only after they have been fire formed in my gun. They are more accurate. But, you'll find that your hand loads will be more accurate typically than any mass produced ammunition.

So, in my opinion I'd go with a good Lee set. But, there's no need to use a collet or neck size die. A full length sizer will do just fine. Actually, that's what I use in my 30-30 single shot and I get 3 shot groups under an inch! Just play around with powders to see which performs the best. I've only recently started using IMR 3031 for my 38-55 and I really like it. Others state this is an excellent powder for 30-30 as well. I'll have to try it sometime.

Hope this help, good luck and happy shooting!

[Larry Gibson]

I suggest a set of RCBS X-dies for your M94. While FL sizing isn't really necessary for lighter cast loads in the lever action most "experts" will say to use a FL sizer. The X-die will give longer case life w/o case stretch during sizing and you won't have to trim the cases. A lyman .30 M-die for .309 or .310 sized cast bullets or the .31 M-die for .311 and + sized cast bullets is also needed.

Of course as to moulds the 311041 is the "standard" which all others are judged by so it would be and excellent choice. Any similar GC'd bullet of other make will do nicely. The old standby 311291 is also an excellent choice. For a lighter weight bullet Lee, SAECO and RCBS make excellent GC'd 150 gr FP moulds. if you don't want to use GCs and will keep to lower velocities then RCBS and SAECO also make excellent 150 and 140 gr FB'd cast bullet moulds. Also don't hesitate to check out NOE's site as they also have excellent mould designs for the 30-30.

Your SR4759 will suffice for any of the mentioned cast bullets and their are good loads mentioned in Lyman's reloading manuals and CBHs.

Larry Gibson

[OKLHUNTER]

What ever dies you get, make sure the sizing die will give you the proper neck size. RCBS can provide you with a sizing die that has decapping pins with a sizing ball to suit your needs. I once had a Mauser that was rebarreled to a 30-06. Normal .308 diameter bullets didn't shoot well through it, at all. After slugging the barrel, I found I needed to reload with .311 diameter bullets, not .308. I called RCBS and they supplied me with a decapping pin, for my 30-06 die, that would size the neck for a .311 diameter bullet.

[Nobade]

I am REALLY happy with the RCBS Cowboy dies. They are made for cast boolits and do exactly what I would want a die set to do.

-Nobade

[Lead Fred]

NOE makes the Ranch Dog 165 mold, its the only 30 cal mold I use.

We hit the 200 yard gong with ours, never tried a pie plate

[snaketail]

Lead Fred:
Can you share your powder in for the the 165 Ranch Dog. I shoot Lever Action Silhouette and am considering that mold for my 30-30 Winchester. I'm looking for a single "do-all" bullet and that one seems to get high marks from other shooters.

M

[SirMike1983]

Slugged my bore and it came in a hair under .310. So probably a .310 or .311 bullet? I usually shoot .001 or .002 above in my revolvers.

The concept of cowboy dies is interesting to me. I plan on shooting almost exclusively non jacketed bullets out of this rifle.

[YunGun]

~16-17gr IMR 4759 (or ~18gr IMR 4198) under the NOE 311-165 rings the 200yd steel with authority, & almost boring consistency. It's worked well enough that I haven't yet felt the need to spend time working up anything better for range plinking.

[OverMax]

Since you want to shoot cast. And as read no mention of home casting ability. I would suggest buying your cast bullets in bulk. (cheapest way) Since you intend on shooing reduced loads you (wouldn't) need them to be gas checks or overly hardened either. But you need to request that your bullets have a outside Diameter of 0.311 or mention the use of a Winchester Model 94. {most casters know the Winchester 94s take a little bigger bullet than average.} I have some recipes listing here that use SR-4759 under cast. But without knowing the type and weight of the cast bullet you intend to shoot there's no reason to comment a powder recipe just yet. I don't buy pre-made cast bullets myself. So maybe some other commenter here can chime in with a good casters business name for you to consider. Enjoyed responding to your thread today SirMike1983. Oh by the way. Consider doing a little search for your die needs and also for your reloading bench's odds and ends needed. Right here on C/B's located under Swappin & Sellin column in this sites opening menu. G/L Sir.

[cwheel]

I agree with Noblade on the RCBS Cowboy die set to start out with. It has neck expanders for both jacketed and cast in the box, ready to go. A few bucks more to start, but well worth it.
Chris

[SirMike1983]

Some good ideas here, thanks.

I was surprised the bore ran just shy of .310, when these are nominally .308. I cast and shoot round ball for my flintlocks, and they're pretty well known for bore variations. I was surprised to find the 94 had such a variation as well though. It's a post-64 model, so nothing particularly old.

I will be buying bullets, at least to start. I cast round ball for my flinters, so my forge is set up right now with very, very soft lead by modern standards, probably too soft for a modern center fire rifle. If I find I'm shooting bundles of .30-30 bullets, I may start casting down the road.

I'll start hunting for .311 bullets and a set of dies. I was thinking 150 gr weight as a decent mass for target shooting out to 100 yards. .308 bullets online seem plentiful, but .311 not so much. I'd like to keep recoil down and just make a decent plinker load up for plates and targets.

[TXGunNut]

I am REALLY happy with the RCBS Cowboy dies. They are made for cast boolits and do exactly what I would want a die set to do.

-Nobade

Gotta love a set of dies designed for cast boolits! Includes a neck expander die very similar to Lyman's M-die.

[SirMike1983]

Got myself a set of the RCBS Cowboy dies. They were hard to find. I put in an order for .311 diameter 150 gr flat point Penn Bullets. There is a bit of a wait, but that's fine. I may try some of the 165 gr Hunter's cast as well. With the bore at almost exactly .310 I figured going over by .001 would be ok.

[TXGunNut]

Good start. Must warn you that I tried mail order boolits, that's why I cast my own. There are good ones out there but I spent a fortune on junk before I bit the boolit and ordered casting equipment.

[Trinidad Bill]

I believe the "old" rule of thumb for the .30-30 with the standard 170gr jacketed (I believe the original bullet was jacketed) bullets is 30gr of smokeless powder. This has always worked for me with the older powders. I use 30gr of 3031.

With a cast bullet you may have to do some "load development". However I have read that you can drive a 170+gr GC lead bullet with a similar load with good results.

I believe the original 170gr .30-30 ran around 2200fps.

For light cast bullet loads 7-10gr of Unique should get you where you want to be.

[SirMike1983]

No luck with Unique. I've been looking for it for weeks and never seen a single jar of it. I do have SR 4759, which will be my powder for the 30-30 for the time being. I have Trail Boss as well, but tend to reserve it for my revolvers.

[dverna]

30 gr of 3031 is over max for the 170 gr in .30/30. Not saying it cannot be done. Every gun is different. Start well below that and work up.

With 4759 start at 15 gr (about 1600 fps) and max is 17.7 (1800 fps)

Don Verna

[Le Loup Solitaire]

Using a 170 grain cast bullet in the 30-30 you will find that somewhere between 25 and 30 grains of 3031 will shoot very well in terms of accuracy. For me it was 27 rains and it shoots equally well out of a rifle and the carbine. No problem with recoil, leading or burning all the powder. It is a gas checked Lyman 311291 (311041 will work too). LLS

[boho]

H4895 Has served me well for reduced loads in 30-30.