Loading for the 30-30

[chuck d]

After shooting HP and using teh smae load for the last 10 years, it's kind of exciting to be doing load development- for the 30-30. Even sounds funny.

Some questions-
Could not find any VARGET so I went with H322, TrailBoss and LeverEvolution.
Any starting points?
Would like to use one powder, but we'll see.
TrailBoss, says lead bullets, but looks like folks are using it with jacketed bullets?
Anyone tried LeverEvoultion?
Using in a WIn 94 with 26" barrel.

Thnaks for any help

chuck

[Tlee]

9gr of Trailboss is a good starting point even with jacketed. No recoil to speak of. I've tried more, but it's a diminishing return with more and accuracy suffers. Nets 1400FPS with 110gr M1 carbine bullets, 1450 w/100gr plinkers, 1200ish with 150gr SPs.

If you want faster loads, you need Varget, 3031, etc. (2000FPS+).

My .02,

- Tim

[Tlee]

BTW, if you're considering Trail Boss for CLA in the 30-30, it's great for the chicken distance. I even tried it with the 150g SP on pigs, but left one standing at the LA. State match with a low shoulder hit. It does help save your rifle powder (such as Varget) for the longer distance targets.

Another .02,

- Tim

[Shandy]

I've had good success on chickens, pigs and turkeys with 165gr cast bullets and 9-10grs of Trailboss. This load is marginal on rams, takes them down but experience has shown it's is far from 100%.

Just drive some ram loads a bit harder.

[Tlee]

Shandy -

I disagree with your signature line. 10gr of TB on rams is more like:

"bang"....... (crickets chirping, dogs barking, sounds of another round being chambered), and finally........... "tink"



Hope to see you at RAT-TONE,

-Tim

[Shandy]

Hahahaha, I won't argue with that. That's pretty much it.

Perhaps marginal is too mild a word hahaha. I've shot a lot of rams with 10gr TB. I had a really good knock down on them early in the piece on properly set rams at the local range i shot at. But if someone hard sets them (which happens more often than not) then you're screwed

The good test for me was at the nationals. I hit 8/10 rams and stood 6 Good centre hits too, except one on the pissle.

Conclusion: Drive 'em harder