Light loads for the 30-30

[glen ring]

I have purchased a 30-30 for my wife to shoot CLA and have found a very easy shooting light load. Hunter's supply 165 grain cast bullet pushed by Unique powder ( load data from Lyman). Very light recoil, under one inch at 50 yards. Should be a great chicken load. As time permits, I will shoot these at 100, 150 and 200 yards and report the results. Anyone looking for a very light recoiling load for plinking with the 30-30 might give these a try.

[krgriggs]

How many grains of unique are you using. Let us know if it will knock over those Rams. I shoot a 45-70 and use trail boss for by chicken and pig loads. Full house loads can damage the chickens I have found. No need for that extra recoil either. What kind of rifle did you get for your wife?

[Pete A.]

Don't compete in lever action but my sons shoot a bunch of 30-30 in my M94. They are not big fans of much recoil at all as the M94 w/20" barrel can kick pretty well with full loads of 150-170g slugs. I have installed a Decellerator pad but still light gun and full loads gets their attention. Thus the steady diet of light loads.

Our current load is 150g Berry FN plated bullets, 16.0g XMR5744, Fed Std LR Prim @ 2.50". This gives 1.5-2"@50yds, with better sights and longer sight radius tigher groups may be possible. Cycles well from the magazine. They can easily go through 100+/- rounds on a Sat or Sun morn. No problem with fouling.

We also use 0.310" 173g LaserCast which I put on a gascheck & run through 0.309" sizing die. I use same 16.0g of XMR5744 with equal accuracy & low recoil. But it gives enough "boom" to please them.

I do also use Unique but the XMR5744 is very bulky and keeps a distracted dad from doing the deadly double load. Case won't harldy hold 32g of XMR5744. IMR SR4759 gives great result as a bulky powder for reduced loads.

Pete A/

[glen ring]

I found a like new Marlin 336c in a pawn shop for $290.00. I was given the Hunter Supply 165 bullets and the load is from Lyman that lists 7 to 10 grains. I load these light. My wife shoots a 22 magnum in pistol cartridge and doesn't mind ringing a few rams. This 30-30 load will probably ring a few animals, but the low recoil and mild blast will probably be worth it.

[Ramslammer]

G'Day Glen Ring
Give Trailboss a go as some of our locals are using itfor light loads with great effect. One bloke with a 38/55 has it so light it doesn't appear to go off but tips chooks and swine over easy.
Juddy

[old sparky]

I am using a light load in my 38-55 its only 9.5 g of Unique with a 265 wheel weight cast. It grouped just over an inch at 100 meters for me while getting my come ups off the bench. I have only shot it in one match but it knocked down everything I hit with authority. Probably a dork but I sure was proud getting that kind of accuracy with my bullets and open sights.
Sparky

[glen ring]

Ramslammer
I want to use trail boss , but haven't tried it with this cast bullet.

I use Unique in my 38-55 and a 240grain bullet at about 1100 fps takes rams down easily.