30-30 cast loads

[Taps]

G'day from Down-under
I have had good success loading a standard Model 94 in 30/30 with a Lee 170gr with gas check over a 12gr load of Trailboss.
I have to use a drop tube to get it in the case , but my wife and son use this rifle and it is really mild to shoot and accurate.
Bullets are cast from range lead, no idea on hardness. Have had a couple of rams stand but on investigation they have been hard set by careless previous shooter.

Taps

[w30wcf]

Did some load testing and here's what I have so far;

All bullets weight matched w/gas checks, seated to load from the magazine, crimped and liquid Alox lube

160g 311672, 18.0g 5744, 1600fps,1.5 MOA

180g RCBS 30-180 SP (Midsouth sent me the wrong mold), 13.5g 4227, 6-8 MOA YIKES!

180g RCBS 30-180 SP, 36.0g H414, 1 MOA (this will be my ram load)

220g 311284 w/flattened tip, 34.0g H414, 4 MOA (same bullet seated long, no crimp, for single loading over 33.0g of 4350 shoots 2 MOA or better)

Not sure why the light load of 4227 shoots so poorly in my rifle. With such a small charge does the position of the powder in the case affect accuracy? Should I be using a filler?

J~

jbolt,
My apologies. I should have mentioned that I position the powder to the rear of the case when using smaller charges. I do that by partially chambering the round, then raising the muzzle to 60+ degrees very briefly (less than 1 second) then completely closing the lever after pointing the muzzle in the direction of the target. In my experience, 4227 and other faster and similar powders give good accuracy doing that. I would suggest upping the 4227 charge to 14 - 16 grs with the longer 180 SP bullet.

Sorry to hear that Midsouth sent the wrong mold. The RCBS 180SP works great at extended distances (500 meters) in the 30-30 but it would have to be seated deep to chamber from the magazine for Cowboy Silhouette. A reduced capacity load of H414 will support the base of the bullet when seated to 2.55" OAL to run through the magazine and still may shoot well.

If that does not work to your satisfaction you may want to contact Midsouth to let them know of their error.

w30wcf

[jbolt]

w30wcf,
Good to know about tilting the rifle. Single loading off the bench puts the powder toward the front. I sounds like it may just be the deep seated bullet / fast powder combination that is the culprit? I take it the 180-FN does not seat as deep? Regardless I'm not too upset they sent the wrong mold since it shoots very well over the full charge of 414. The 311672 works well with the 5744 so I will try it with the 4227. Does 12-13g sound about right?

Thanks for all the help.

J~

[deadeye dave]

jbolt

Taps is not just a pretty face what he states is pretty good info, I also use 12 gn Trailboss behind a 180 gn Lee roundnose projie for rams, everything else is shot with 10 gn Trailboss behind 150 gn Lee round flat. Do not have a problem with knock downs, easy on the shoulder and a pleasure to shoot.

Taps,

C'mon mate the 94 shoots straight cause you started with a quality rifle.

[w30wcf]

jbolt,
The 180 RCBS FN seats with the top of the gas check pretty much even with the bottom of the case neck. The 180 SP is .10" longer and seats .10" deeper in the case which, in my experience, is not the greatest set up for good accuracy with faster burning powders. Slower powders like H414 work much better for that situation. Bullets from both molds weigh closer to 190 grs. when cast of w.w. (heat treat for 2,000 f.p.s. loads).

The 311672 should work well with the 12-13 grs of 4227 as the base of the bullet does not protrude below the neck. Just remember....muzzle up.
For the best accuracy you may need to tweak the charge a few grains higher but time at the bench will determine that.

Taps & Dave,
Thank you for the info on Trail Boss. I have found it very useful in replicating the early .30-30 "Short Range" factory loadings. 6 grs under a 120 gr plain base cast bullet goes 1,150 fps and shoots very well.....a great steel chicken load.

To this point I have not worked with it in higher loadings. I do know that with the Rams at the ranges that I have shot on here in PA, one needs a 170+ gr bullet going at least 1800 f.p.s. for positive knockdown and Trail Boss won't come near that. With no positive stops on the rails, one is at the mercy of the target setters. Not too long ago I heard of a fellow "ringing" a couple of rams with a 38-55 / 250 gr bullet / 1300 f.p.s.

w30wcf

[jbolt]

w30wcf,
Thanks for the info on the 180-FN length. Bullets cast about 185g with range lead. Here in Kalifornia lead wheel weights have been banned.

Taps & Dave,
Thanks for the info on Trailboss. I will put it on my list to try. At the range where I will be shooting the rams are hard set due to the wind. The match director suggested a 170g bullet at 2100fps to reliably take them down.

Taps,
The range lead I use is typically around 12-14 bnh. Heated to 450 for 1 hour and quenched in cool water produces a 20-22 bnh hardness.

Cheers,

J~