If Cowboy Silhoutte was in vouge back in the late 1800's, early 1900's, I have no doubt that some competitors using .30-30's would use either the "Short Range" or "Miniature" cartridges on the 50M steel chickens. I have used replications of both variations and they do work very well.They are also excellent for 100 yard target practice.

The .30 W.C.F. / .30-30 "Short Range" cartridge was loaded with a 100 gr. lead bullet @ 1,150 f.p.s. Bullet weight was later increased to 117 gr.

Today, this cartridge can be replicated with commercial cast bullets (unless you cast your own) made for the .32-20. With 115-120 gr. cast bullets,
5.5/231, 6.0 of either Trail Boss, Unique, 4756, or Universal have all given good results.

The "Miniature" .30-30 used a 100 gr. full patch bullet @ about 1,450 f.p.s. It was claimed that they were accurate to 200 yards.
That variation can be best replicated with the 110gr. carbine bullet and 8.0 grs. of either 231, Unique, Universal.


Both replications have produced sub 1" groups @ 50 yards and sub 2" groups @ 100 yards in my rifles.
More fun with the .30-30!

w30wcf

John,

I am glad you specificied the reduced loads to be used on the 50 meter chickens. I used a reduced load of 4759 with a 150 for a while, and I used it for both chickens and pigs. I "dung" several pigs with that load so I quite using it. It makes you look a little silly when your loads won't knock down a pig.

Al

Nice interesting post John. I quite frequently use Hornady 100 gr. plinkers at chickens. I squash the noses in a vise. I use 18 gr.s H-110. I don't even remember how I came up with that load. How well it actually shoots I don't know, 'cause my old club if u recall isn't drilled and tapped for scope mounting. But, I did shoot it off the bench at 50 and it shot pretty good. I have confidence in it as I've shot quite a few 10 strings of chix with that load and never second guessed it. But, I only shoot it on Chix, I think a little light on Pigs. Like Al said don't need any dingers on Pigs. Al Bean

I somehow managed to get several thousand 110 gr 30 CA carbine bullets a long time ago and since I do not even own an M1 carbine decided to used them in my 30-30 loads with 34 gr of Varget. They are accurate enough for chickens and pigs, have never rung a pig with them.

If I got my hands on "several thousand" of any bullet, I think I'd be plinking away with whatever gun could use them on a regular basis just for fun. I'd probably get a lot better with that gun by accident just having fun burning powder.

All it takes is money Jason, you have to buy them when the price is right. I am looking into shooting lead and a person in Arizona sells them with MOLY-Y-KOTE

Check http://www.billybullets.com/ $72 per thousand and $11 shipping.

Rudy Warren sounds like a very reasonable person to deal with, he told me he could send 2500 for the same shipping charges and he said he was going to ship my order right away before he even got personal check. I ordered 500 to try and I am waiting for them right now. I saw them at a Gun Show in Phoenix last year but he had run out of the 30 caliber 165gr. Just recently found the flier he gave me and decided to order some of his bullets to try out. Will let you know how well they perform.

I see that he makes a 115gr round nose bullet that could be a fun chicken load. Might be easier to just shoot the 165s at everything if they group well, though. I need to figure out how to retire with a big, steady income so I have more time to shoot and can afford components for loading.

Jason wrote:............ I need to figure out how to retire with a big, steady income so I have more time to shoot and can afford components for loading.

That seems to be a problem a lot of us are having....... If you figure it out please post it.

cslscal,
I know what you mean about "ringing" the 100M pig silhouette with lighter loads. I have done the same thing with 150 gr. cast @ 1,200 f.p.s. Went to a 170 gr. cast @ 1,400 (.32-40 ballistics) and no more "ringers". I have never lost a chicken with the 100-120 gr. plain based cast bullets.

AMB,
Thank you. I do remember you telling me about using the 100 gr. plinkers but I could not remember what you were loading them over. I would not worry about making the nose more flat. (That will save you some vise time. )If you lay two .30-30's on a table nose to base, you will see that the nose of the bullet does not rest directly on the primer. That is the way they stack up in the magazine.

Lone Ringer,
Thank you for the link to billybullets. His prices look very reasonable as compared to some other bullet sources.

Jason,
The 118 gr. bullet is the full diameter out to the base of the nose, so they will need to be seated deeper into the case. Unless he could supply that bullet at .310" diameter, for better accuracy, I would opt for either of the .32 cal .313" bullets and run them through a Lee push through .311" sizing die.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=523184
I have found it pretty hard to beat the accuracy of the Lyman 3118 though with any of the other bullets I have tried. I have not tried the Saeco 322, but that looks like it would work very well also.
http://www.westernbullet.com/32caliber.html

Have fun.
w30wcf

John it wasn't my concern about ignition in the tube that I squash the noses on the plinkers, but rather I believe the rules state bullets have to be flat nosed or round. Al Bean

Aren't the Plinker bullets already round? I've got some loaded up for chickens and assumed they'd be fine according to the rules...

Look good to me Jason but if you do not crimp your loads you may want to load them one at a time through the magazine.

I do sometimes load them one at a time, but I crimp all my loads with a Lee Factory Crimp Die anyway.

AMB,
I understand what you are saying. Since there is a small flat on the Hornady Bullet, I would think that it would qualify as is. I believe what the NRA is ruling out are spitzers that come to a point.

Jason,
This is the bullet that AMB is referencing. Definitely has a smallish flat.


w30wcf