Powder for 30-30 and 30-06

[crandall crank]

Looking for any suggestions of powder for use in both 30-30 and 30-06. They would use a common 150 grain cast bullet of COWW. I plan on loading these in the "mild" range and distance for hunting would be 125 yard max. Any suggestions of powder and load would be appreciated.

[BigAlofPa.]

I like red dot for cast loads in rifle. And i have been working with green dot too. With success. You may enjoy this read here.
https://forum.castbulletassoc.org/thread/1387-the-load-is-13-grains-of-red-dot/

[Conditor22]

2400
H335+1 GRN DCRN
GREEN DOT
3/8-5/8 inch groups under a 170 grain FN cast boolit in a 30-006

I have loads with these powders I haven't shot/perfected yet for the 155 :(
2400
BE
RED DOT
HP-38/W 231
4350

[farmbif]

aa2520

[atr]

2400 !

[dverna]

Promo is the same as Red Dot and both are very economical. "The load" is 13 grains

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharris/articles/The%20Load.htm

This guy has forgotten more than I know. I have three .308 molds JIC (Just In Case) but shoot jacketed as I do not shoot much .30 cal. If I get the itch to try cast that is where I would start.

[John Boy]

Pick one for a 150 gr bullet ... http://stevespages.com/308.html

[Texas by God]

IMR 3031. 25 grs in the 30-30; 30 grs in the 30-06.

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[ShooterAZ]

IMR 4895, RL15, or IMR 3031 will all work well.

[1006]

2400, or Reloader 7.

[Ickisrulz]

I use 13 grains of Red Dot in 338 Win Mag and 308. I use 16 grains of 2400 in 30-06. These are for cast bullets 180 grains in the 30 calibers and 250 grains in the 338. I use no filler.

[samari46]

I use mostly IMR powders as I'm quite familiar with a few of them.
Small town and no one stocks reloading supplies. So I have to order out as they say. IMR 4895 or H 4895. But if you come across the now discontinued IMR 4759 grab it. Don't think I've ever heard bad word about this powder. 2400 is another one I've used. You didn't mention the platforms you are shooting the cast bullets. Some further info may help. And one other thing, bullet weight. I shoot 210 grain cast bullets in my moisins. Lyman 314299 Only going about 1700 feet per second. But would not feel under powered with that load. Bullet should have a flat point for better striking power. But if that is all you have then use them. Frank

[Kosh75287]

I like the H4895 idea. You don't mention if your .30-06 is semi-auto, but H4895 was designed to work with .30-06 in those rifles. It still works just fine in a bolt-action .30-06. If your goal is to launch cast projectiles only, use Hodgdon's "60 percent rule" with H4895, and develop a nice cast bullet load for your rifle.
Same recommendations apply to using H4895 in .30-30. It'll give you all the performance of which a .30-30 is capable, with max loads. With reduced loads, the same powder can propel cast projectiles to whatever velocity gives you best accuracy.

[JM7.7x58]

Either an original Ranch Dog 311 165 RF w/GC or a copy of that bullet. Powder coating will allow you to more easily push these as fast as factory 30-30 velocities. However a bottle of Lar’s 45/45/10 tumble lube would be the easiest to start out with, however I wouldn’t try to maximize velocity with the tumble lube.

Now when it comes to powder you have a big difference in case volume. There are some powders that work well, in cast loads, in the 30-30’s smaller case that aren’t optimal for the larger case volume of the 30-06. For example slow ball powders like H-414, which can be slightly compressed in the 30-30 in a cast load, should not be reduced in lower velocity cast loads in the 30-06. H-414 however is a great powder in the 30-06 with full power jacketed loads. There are a lot of powders that will work in the 30-30.

The problem here is really the large volume of the 30-06. If you have a stick rifle powder that will work well in a reduced load in the 30-06, then it should also be made to work in the 30-30.

With the current powder shortages that we are experiencing, what I would do is find a rifle stick powder that is available for purchase. Research if it has a history of being used in reduced cast 30-06 loads with the light weight Lee 312-155-2R. I would then research if there is published data for the 30-30. If both of these factors line up I would buy a few pounds and try some. Some powders that come to mind are Varget, 4064, 3031, Reloder 7, and any of the 4895 powders.

Some powders the I have used that would work well are.

I’ve used H4895 in the 30-06, is a good powder that can be reduced in the larger volume case. I’ve also heard good things about it’s use in the 30-30. I used up my H4895 in my 30-30 and wasn’t able to replace it.

Reloder 7 is another powder that is known for giving good velocities in both of these cartridges. It reduces well in the 30-06.

I use 2400 in both cases, but do not push for higher velocity. There are better powders for deer hunting loads.

JM

[crandall crank]

The 30-30 will be used in a Win 94 and the 30-06 is a bolt action rifle. As mentioned earlier, a 150 gr cast bullet will be common to these.

[GregLaROCHE]

I always had good luck with 3031. Today you may have to settle for what’s on the shelf.

[charlie b]

Have you had to use fillers with reduced loads of 3031 in the .30-06 case?

[cowboy4evr]

I would use either H or IMR 4895 . I have used 26 grs with the Lyman 311046 cast / gas checked bullet in my 94 Winchester 30-30 for a real nice easy shooting load . I don't own a 30-06 , but I'm sure it will work just as well . It will require a bit more powder . Good Luck , Regards Paul

[crandall crank]

Kinda surprised no one has mentioned Unique. Uses only 7.5-10 grains in the 30-30. A pound would last a long time. Other than dirty, any other downsides??

[JM7.7x58]

Unique will exceed the design pressure limits of the 30-30 case before a reasonable hunting velocity is attained. Also that much violent pressure early on will not help with accuracy.

You will be much better off with basic a 2400 load. But, one of the rifle powders listed above will get you up in the 1800 to 2000 FPS range for a hunting load.

JM

[Jedman]

IMR 3031. 25 grs in the 30-30; 30 grs in the 30-06.

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This would be my recommended powder also !

Jedman

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I would use H4895 for both considering deer hunting loads in the 1700-1900fps plus range. A gas-checked bullet with a flat-nose like the 311041 or RCBS 30-180 FN or clones by NOE, Accurate, Arsenal would be my choice for most purposes in either rifle.

[crandall crank]

I've got a can each of IMR4198 and IMR 4895 (old tin cans) that haven't been opened yet. Not having used them, are they equal to H4198 and H4895?? Would rather ask, then find out the hard way.

[Conditor22]

Just start at the beginning load and work your way up.

[rintinglen]

WW-748 for hunting; 32-34 grains in the 30-30,40-42 grains in the 06.
2400 for accurate shooting; 17.5 grains in the 30-30, 20 grains in the 06.

[Tareece]

I've got a can each of IMR4198 and IMR 4895 (old tin cans) that haven't been opened yet. Not having used them, are they equal to H4198 and H4895?? Would rather ask, then find out the hard way.

I too have some unopened powder from some years ago, I do hope someone will answer your question so that I too could get some clarity about powder shelf life

[Texas by God]

Conditor22 nailed it. Lyman 45th shows 23 grs of IMR 4198 for a 150 gr jacketed bullet at 1991 FPS.
And 28 grs of IMR 4895 for the same bullet for 1980 FPS. These could be dropped a grain with no problems. (30-30 loads)
The 3rd edition Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook shows that 25 grs of IMR 4198 will do around 1736 FPS from the 30-06 using a #311440 151gr cast bullet. As far as using older powder, I’m currently using up 40-50 year old powder from OPENED containers gleefully and successfully. I make sure that it looks and smells good before I use it. If your powder is unopened it should be good.

[Evoken]

They are not the same, but very close. On the burn rate chart the 4198's are next to each other, I think imr is faster if I recall. 4895's h powder is faster burn than imr. In my humble experience h4895 is harder hitting in the same sized load (on my shoulder that is).

[relics6165]

IMR or H4895 can be used in both cartridges, AA5744 or Shooters World Buffalo work well, IMR 3031 will work. If you don't already have any of these, you are probably limited to what you can find.

[bluejay75]

WW-748 for hunting; 32-34 grains in the 30-30,40-42 grains in the 06.
2400 for accurate shooting; 17.5 grains in the 30-30, 20 grains in the 06.

Any 748 loads in 308? What have your experiences been with 748 in 30-30 or 30-06.

[atr]

I have used 748 in the 30-30 and .308 and 30-06 with both cast and J's. It was accurate in both 30-30 and .308 but did not do well in the 30-06. The cast and J's weight bullet was 170 gr. I tried to keep the velocity in the 30-30 range (under 2000 fps) for all.