30-30 powder suggestions

[USAF Ret]

I am loading for a session tomorrow with 150 grain Sierra FN. I am planning on testing 2 powders. Lever is a given. However, I have 3 other powders in the stable. Would like to know any results for other reloaders on these and suggestions on which one to try first.

H-4895
IMR-4895
CFE-223

Thanks.

 

[44hunter45]

I am loading for a session tomorrow with 150 grain Sierra FN. I am planning on testing 2 powders. Lever is a given. However, I have 3 other powders in the stable. Would like to know any results for other reloaders on these and suggestions on which one to try first.

H-4895
IMR-4895
CFE-223

Thanks.

#1 CFE-223
#2 IMR-4895
#3 H-4895

This is from QuickLoad, but based on burn rates these would be my choices. YMMV. Always work up loads, etc etc.

My go-to for 30-30 has always been IMR 4320 but its discontinued now. If you can find an old burn rate chart, you can see it between RL-15 and H380.
Anything in that range should work great.

Don't overlook Winchester 748. I have been seeing it on shelves lately.

Here is the latest chart from Hodgdon.

https://hodgdonpowderco.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/updatedburnrateschart-1.pdf

 

[Seamaster]

I have had the best results with IMR 3031 in a 30-30 lever rifle. The 150 needs a fairly fast burning powder, so I would think that either IMR 4895 or H 4895 would be better than CFE 223.

 

[USAF Ret]

#1 CFE-223
#2 IMR-4895
#3 H-4895

This is from QuickLoad, but based on burn rates these would be my choices. YMMV. Always work up loads, etc etc.

My go-to for 30-30 has always been IMR 4320 but its discontinued now. If you can find an old burn rate chart, you can see it between RL-15 and H380.
Anything in that range should work great.

Don't overlook Winchester 748. I have been seeing it on shelves lately.

Here is the latest chart from Hodgdon.

https://hodgdonpowderco.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/updatedburnrateschart-1.pdf

What about Ramshot Tac?

 

[slatebuilder]

We shoot ALOT of winchester 748 in our 30-30’s. It seems to give the best accuracy out to 200 meters between varget, 3031, lever, and win748.

 

[USAF Ret]

I decided to go with the H-4895. I have that and Leverevolution for tomorrow. I will be doing CFE223 and IMR4895 next weekend. Thanks all.

 

[AckleyHunter]

What about Ramshot Tac?

I use Tac, 33 gr for 150s. Works great. Not the fastest, but produces good groups.

 

[44hunter45]

What about Ramshot Tac?

Tac is a little faster than H4859 and IMR4895, but slower than 3031. Good stuff for 150 grain.

I've made a ton of 3031 loads for 30-30.

 

[howl]

Speer 130s + CFE 223 = Significant improvement on deer

 

[USAF Ret]

Speer 130s + CFE 223 = Significant improvement on deer

I have the Speer 130s. What is your recipe and velocities?

 

[USAF Ret]

Tac is a little faster than H4859 and IMR4895, but slower than 3031. Good stuff for 150 grain.

I've made a ton of 3031 loads for 30-30.

Good deal. Lots of testing to do and need to find some 3031.

 

[howl]

I have the Speer 130s. What is your recipe and velocities?

Rifle Data

Speer Ammo

www.speer.com

 

[USAF Ret]

Rifle Data

Speer Ammo

www.speer.com

I was wondering about the load you found to be most accurate.

 

[Bullshot]

I’ve loaded BLC-2 and 170 speers. Boring, but goes bang and hits where I want at 100 yards so far.

 

[USAF Ret]

Well, results were not exactly great. On the LVR, one of the load listing says I can go to 38.5. The group was improving and I hear that LVR has the best groups toward the top end. I will test that and move on the CFE 223 and IMR-4895.

 

[p_ham]

Honestly, I wouldn't expect better than 1.25-1.5 MOA out of that rifle. It looks like your numbers are settling down with the LVR, I think you're on the right track bumping up the charge weight a little if you have room.

Some things you can do to help out your accuracy and consistency on lever actions-

Pull mag tube and forend. Drive out the mag tube stud and forend cap tenon. File/ sand the top sides of both until you have a snug slip fit in their dovetails.

With the mag tube still removed, set the forend in place on the barrel. If you have to push it into the correct position to fit the end cap on, identify where the pinch points are and relieve some wood. It should be an easy, but not loose fit.

Reassemble everything taking care to make sure the mag tube is centered. If you can, it can help to install a spacer either between the mag tube and mounting stud, or inside the mag tube cap to keep the mag tube from contacting the barrel.

The forend cap screws should be tight, but not so much that the cap is pinching the barrel. Around 20in/lb is plenty.

Rossi is bad for just jamming their sights and hangers into their dovetails. It puts a ton of stress into the barrel.

 

[USAF Ret]

Honestly, I wouldn't expect better than 1.25-1.5 MOA out of that rifle. It looks like your numbers are settling down with the LVR, I think you're on the right track bumping up the charge weight a little if you have room.

Some things you can do to help out your accuracy and consistency on lever actions-

Pull mag tube and forend. Drive out the mag tube stud and forend cap tenon. File/ sand the top sides of both until you have a snug slip fit in their dovetails.

With the mag tube still removed, set the forend in place on the barrel. If you have to push it into the correct position to fit the end cap on, identify where the pinch points are and relieve some wood. It should be an easy, but not loose fit.

Reassemble everything taking care to make sure the mag tube is centered. If you can, it can help to install a spacer either between the mag tube and mounting stud, or inside the mag tube cap to keep the mag tube from contacting the barrel.

The forend cap screws should be tight, but not so much that the cap is pinching the barrel. Around 20in/lb is plenty.

Rossi is bad for just jamming their sights and hangers into their dovetails. It puts a ton of stress into the barrel.

The rifle shoots .5 MOA at 100 yards with factory ammunition.

PPU 150 Grain SP


Winchester 150 Power Point

 

[USAF Ret]

So, based on my groups with factory ammo, I had someone say just buy the factory ammo. Is it the reloader in me that wants to reproduce the same results with handloads? Should I just not waste components and buy 10 boxes of ammo and call it a day?

 

[mtmuley]

So, based on my groups with factory ammo, I had someone say just buy the factory ammo. Is it the reloader in me that wants to reproduce the same results with handloads? Should I just not waste components and buy 10 boxes of ammo and call it a day?

Depends. If the factory stuff does what you need it to, then use it. Me, I want to shoot a mono fast out of my 94. No factory ammo that does that. mtmuley

 

[USAF Ret]

Depends. If the factory stuff does what you need it to, then use it. Me, I want to shoot a mono fast out of my 94. No factory ammo that does that. mtmuley

What bullet are you shooting?