How light for plinkers in 30-30?

[nagantguy]

For pot meat loads I’ve used as light as 90 grains in 30-30 pest removal plinking and small game; have a chance to try some 70 grain ranch dogs. My usual powders are bullseye and red dot. Anyone play with pistol boolits this light?

[Duster340]

I'm interested in this as well. Want to do something similar with 303 British.

[NoZombies]

I've used as light as 55 grain HBWC's. Find someone who's been loading RB's in the caliber, and start with their load and go from there.

[3leggedturtle]

I’ve loaded Lee 113gr FP’s down to 800fps for shooting gray squirrels. Todd/3leg

[Drm50]

I had a 77gr RN for 32acp that I played with. Got about 2" at 60 yds. My best light bullet is the 100g
Hornady 1/2 jacket- 6.5gr Unique/ 1200fps. This shot less than 1" at 60 yds. Not bad for a 16" barrel
336 with K3x scope. For my 30/30 Varmit loads I use 110gr Speer HPs and Sierra RN meant for the
30 carbine/37.0gr IMR-4064 at 2700 fps. These did 1" at 100 yds. I just bought some 90gr HPs but
they haven't arrived yet. I also tried balls for squirrel loads and didn't have much success in 30/30
but in a old 721 Rem 30/06 they shot well enough to shoot squirrels at 40yds. At 20yds off rest it
would chew out one hole.

[Texas by God]

I’ve loaded Lee 113gr FP’s down to 800fps for shooting gray squirrels. Todd/3legWithout the gas check or with? I've not tried it without but I use these at 2000 fps +(not for squirrels).

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[3leggedturtle]

Without the gas check or with? I've not tried it without but I use these at 2000 fps +(not for squirrels).

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With gas checks, I used these boolits alot, sized and lubed them all the same. I shot a lot these at 1500 to 2000fps also. 2400 and 3031 were powders I used for the higher velocity loads. Red dot was used for the light squirrel loads. Todd

[Hick]

I have a few boxes of a discontinued Hornady 32 ca pistol SWC (90 grains). I size them down a little and use them in my 30-30. I also buy moly coated 32 pistol bullets for 30-30 plinkers. They work great out to 100 yards and even farther.

[GhostHawk]

I have shot the Lee .314 90 gr truncated cone sized to .311 over light loads of Red Dot with good results in .30-30.

Seemed like the perfect rabbit/grouse load when deer hunting. Low noise. Rifle sighted for standard loads at 100 y shot dead to sights with those at 25 yards. And it was very easy to tell them apart.

[Thumbcocker]

There is always the option of a standard weight boolit sans gas check over 3 or so grains of fast powder.

[Larry Gibson]

I have years ago. Suggest you start with 2.0 gr Bullseye and work up to 2.7 gr.

[Camel73]

I've been using .310 46gr round balls (or 55gr 00, sized .311") as a close range plinker in my 94 30-30 for a couple years now. Rub a little bees wax on em for a rough 850fps. Sometimes I'll load em as low as 600ish fps for just a pop if I just wanna fart around - pun intended.
I also have Lee's 113gr gc flat nose soupcan mold that is fun to sling around at different velocities too.

[Alferd Packer]

crayons are still .30 caliber.
In these covid days, you can shoot 1/2 inch pieces of broken crayon, primer powered from your 30 30 for a wax load that will put holes in paper or cardboard boxes in garage or basement.
Will also take down a mouse or a squirrel in the attic.
Surprisingly powerful using the primer only.
Be careful shooting these.They are still a bullet even if hard wax.

[Texas by God]

crayons are still .30 caliber.
In these covid days, you can shoot 1/2 inch pieces of broken crayon, primer powered from your 30 30 for a wax load that will put holes in paper or cardboard boxes in garage or basement.
Will also take down a mouse or a squirrel in the attic.
Surprisingly powerful using the primer only.
Be careful shooting these.They are still a bullet even if hard wax.If you leave the label on, are they considered paper patched[emoji16]? Kidding aside, cool idea that I will try soon.

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[RU shooter]

crayons are still .30 caliber.
In these covid days, you can shoot 1/2 inch pieces of broken crayon, primer powered from your 30 30 for a wax load that will put holes in paper or cardboard boxes in garage or basement.
Will also take down a mouse or a squirrel in the attic.
Surprisingly powerful using the primer only.
Be careful shooting these.They are still a bullet even if hard wax.
Neat idea ! But if this gets out there ain't gonna be a crayon to be found on store shelves ! Lol

[barrabruce]

Don’t worry I’m on to it.
Tried just hard lube in neck over a cardboard wad.
Glue bullets as well.
I had no luck with round balls.
The Lee soup can as cast finger lubed and seated in a unsized case works well in my gun.
1" and less at 50 yards.over 3 grains bullseye.
Haven’t shot anything with it but at about 860fps is quiet should be good to eat stuff after shooting them.

[crandall crank]

I'm with barrabruse....using the Lee 113 soup can, but Unique powder. Really fun to plink at steel targets and chicken coop bandits.

[barrabruce]

I'm with barrabruse....using the Lee 113 soup can, but Unique powder. Really fun to plink at steel targets and chicken coop bandits.
I tried it at the range the other week.
Just for fun shooting the 300mtre gong with meare 76 moa (21ft 9")hold over or there abouts with a 50 yard zero.

[Harter66]

I have a 313226(?) .313-97 .
2.5 Red Dot or Unique I think . The 30-30 I ran them in refused to shoot a bad group with anything under 200 gr ....

[BigAlofPa.]

I run 9 grains of red dot. Behind 158 grain cast.