Of those, I've only used the BL-C(2) and W 748, my go to powder for the past several years has been IMR 3031.

RP

 

CFE223 Isa very good 30 30 powder. With Federal cases and primers it can match lever performance.
Berry bullets are coppered coated swaged bullets. What do you want to do with them? Targets, plinking or hunting.

DEP

 

CFE223 Isa very good 30 30 powder. With Federal cases and primers it can match lever performance.
Berry bullets are coppered coated swaged bullets. What do you want to do with them? Targets, plinking or hunting.

DEP

Plinking for now. Would CFE223 be a good one if the bullets aren’t supposed to go over 2000 fps?

 

The Berry's are good out to about 150 yds for a target or plinking load. After that all bets are off. I've shot some in levergun matches out to 200 yds. Past the 150 mark they were all over the place.

Of the powders you listed I've only used IMR 4895 in a 150 gr load before. But my favorite which is not on your list of available is IMR 3031.
As mentioned above CFE223 is supposed to be a winner also but I've not used it as of yet in the 30-30.

 

Win 748.

 

A powder that works in the 30/30 and most other rifle calibers, that you may also own, is IMR4064. While it may not be the very fastest, its medium burn rate makes it one of most versatile powders on your list IMO. Another on your list like 4064 is 4895 from either manufacturer.

 

I would have said CFE-223 until I checked a temperature stability chart I found recently where it ranks worst of all the powders with data. I reached out to Hodgdon to ask if that is correct and they quickly responded:

”Thank you for contacting us. There is really no chart or number that can be used to apply temperature sensitivity as there are many contributing factors and variables. Case fill, geometry of the case, primer type are all factors. What it does in one cartridge may be different than another. CFE 223 and Lever Evolution are not temp stable powders. We test at 0 and 125 degrees F for temperature. With non temp stable powders you can expect anywhere from 50-150 fps over that range. The change is not linear and may show up more towards the extremes of those temperature ranges, so it may not affect you much from say 20-90 degrees but that will be a variable based on the before mentioned factors.”

I can’t vouch for the data shown in this chart; however, the “temperature stable” powders do show significantly lower numbers.

It‘s interesting that H-4895 and IMR-4895 are so different.

 

I have used 2015, 2495, 2230, Bl-C2, H4895, IMR 4895, and TAC in the 30-30 from your list. I use 2015 in many places where 3031 works. 2015 is a very good 30-30 powder. 2495 is the Accurate version of 4895 and works well in the 30-30 as does H4895. TAC is a modern ball powder, much less temp sensitive and much easier to ignite than the older ball powders (Bl-C2, 748). For 'milder' loads i would select 2015, the Berry's bullet is rated for 2000 fps, so the 2495 and H4895 would also work well. I have used the Accurate powders for a very long, 1980's, and been very satisfied with them. I have used most of the powders in your list for the Stabil, Benchmark, Superpermance. Benchmark would probably also work very well in the 30-30. A casefull of either 4350 will work just fine but tothers are better. There are some other powders that also work well for your purpose, but are not in your list and have become hard to find/discontinued - 4198, Reloder 7, 5744, Buffalo Rifle, Accurate 2200.

 

I agree with Mostly_Leverguns on his recommendations. I've used IMR 3031, RE7, 2015, 5744, Buffalo Rifle, and SR4759. You can run reduced loads with H4895.

 

Starting loads for the CFE223 are eight at or exceed your desired level of velocity. It might work as would some of the other powders like the AAs such as the 2015.
If you want to use Jacketed also the CFE might work. For reduced loads pistol powders often work better. But there are some less position sensitive when loaded in a less than full case. Many rifle powders do funny things if not loaded to proper volume. 748 is one.
The Berry bullet recommendation is a general guideline. Used with starting loads they would work. The true plinking loads at lower velocities are a lot of fun to shoot. Cowboy competition loads are often made for that.

DEP

 

What should I be looking at then? Does it matter that I have a 16in barrel?

 

I have had good luck with Berry's and W748. I can't remember the load but it pushed the bullet at 1950 fps witch is just under the velocity that is recommended.

 

Coleman - usually the faster powders loose less velocity in the shorter barrels than the slower ones, in my experience.

 

It's been my experience that ball powders like to run at the top of the charge recommendation, and produce SPECTACULAR fireball muzzle flashes! with lighter bullets in shorter barrels.

 

I am looking for powder to load 150 grain Berry’s bullets for a 336Y. These are what I can get locally for a decent price. Which of these would you recommend to try?

Accurate 2700
Accurate 4064
Accurate 2230
Accurate 2495
Accurate 2015
Hodgdon Superformance
Hodgdon H4350
Hodgdon BL-C(2)
Hodgdon CFE 223
Hodgdon H4895
Hodgdon H335
Hodgdon Benchmark
IMR 4350
IMR 4895
Ramshot TAC
Winchester StaBALL 6.5
Winchester StaBALL Match
Winchester 748

I've been using IMR 3031 for over 40 years--seems to work well in my 336A

 

I have used both 4895s in my 30/30 to good effect. If I was buying a powder I would look hard at CFE223.

 

I am looking for powder to load 150 grain Berry’s bullets for a 336Y. These are what I can get locally for a decent price. Which of these would you recommend to try?

Accurate 2700
Accurate 4064
Accurate 2230
Accurate 2495
Accurate 2015
Hodgdon Superformance
Hodgdon H4350
Hodgdon BL-C(2)
Hodgdon CFE 223
Hodgdon H4895
Hodgdon H335
Hodgdon Benchmark
IMR 4350
IMR 4895
Ramshot TAC
Winchester StaBALL 6.5
Winchester StaBALL Match
Winchester 748

H4895, and that's based on my experience loading it for several 30-30s over the years, and also loading Berry's plated bullets lever rifle silhouette matches. For their bullets that I'm using, Berry's recommends keeping velocities below 2,000 fps. Hodgdon specifically recommends using H4895 for reduced loads in rifle cartridges, and even includes instructions on their website on how to calculate those reductions. I've found H4895 to be a super flexible and very useful powder. Have fun with those plated bullets from Berry's, just don't push them too hard.

 

Plinking loads are typically loads that deliver very little recoils, low noise and moderate velocity. I could see them especially good for a person that has a shorter barrel like 16 inches. Used to load some for the 20 inch. Powders for that may be harder to get. I have quite a bit of Unique and Herco and some other pistol/shotgun powders. But with cast bullets they are worth it. Longshot and Lil Gun seem readily available. I just don't know the loads for them in a 30 30.
Unique uses about half the powder charge of starting loads for rifle powders. About 10-11 grains. Powder lasts a long time.

DEP

 

I have used 2200 in the 300 Savage and 308 Win, with charges in the 20-26 grain range with 147 grain pulled bullets and 185 gr cast bullets. Results on target were decent, a bit of vertical stringing at 150 yards,2" horizontal, 4" vertical cases a bit sooty. Hodgdon/Western Powder has data that gives 27gr with 30 grain top for 150 jacketed in 30-30. I have used up to 35 grains with 150 grain jacketed bullets in 300 Savage, good accuracy. 2200 works very well in the 444 Marlin and 45-70 for heavy/high velocity loading. It is excellent in the 223 with 45-55 grain bullets. I believe it started as a 7.62x39 powder. Also works well in my 6.5 Grendel. I will be trying it in the 30-30 with 150gr cast gas checked lead bullets, I expect 16 to 20 grains should give good results in the 30-30. For pleasant loads, a filler to position powder, dacron or Ballistic Products buffer can improve accuracy out past 100 yards. I treat 2200 much like a 4198 speed powder. I have also used Tite-Group, Universal, Herco, Unique and HP-38 for mild loads in rifle calibers. 30 plus years ago, 2200 was very inexpensive, I bought a lot, now I am trying to burn it up, in rifles.

 

I ended up getting BL-C(2) for $30.

 

Hard to go wrong with either of the 4895's, but there are so many powders that will work well from Varget to 4064, but I'd pick something closer to 3031, which as we all know, was designed to be the ultimate 30-30 powder.

Truth be told, if you're shooting a 150-grain bullet like the Remington "Core-Lokt", my time-tested "PJ Loads" in 30-30 were 30.2 grains of IMR-4895, or if you wanted a hunting load, 33.4 grains was another accuracy node in a lot of guns and killed deer darned quickly when well-placed. The lighter load averaged a hair over 2000fps, the hotter load a very consistent 2150fps. Both were surprisingly accurate in my rifles. In fact, I won a $20 bet with a guy who had a Cooper 308, against me shooting my 30-30 at 100 yards. His group was a hair over an inch for five shots. Mine was a hair under 3/4".

I spent the money on beer!

 

20 years ago an aging reloaded gave me two five gallon buckets of powder, components and reloading tools. It got me well past the experimentation stage.

H4895 is the only rifle powder I buy and if I can't find it locally, I'll wait until I can. It works great in 30-30 and all other standard bottle neck cartridges. It's particularly useful for reduced loads, for recoil sensitive shooters.

 

I had some old bulk powder, 4759 that got discontinued that was really good for cast loads at pleasant levels. 5744 came out and is very good. I have a lot of it. Loads were about 1700fps shown by a chronograph and some even less.
I also prefer heavier cast bullets. I see a lot of guys drilling over 357 mag rifles. The 30 30 is more versatile. I also have a 32 20 so I don't load the 30 30 down as much. But you can get close with a 30 30. Pretty much match the old 32 40 performance.

DEP

 

I figure if i go with the starting load from either of these, I should be able to keep it at or under 2,000 FPS.

Hodgdon

Hornady

 

I have used Reloader 15 with excellent results with both 150gr. and 170 gr. bullets in my Marlin and Winchester carbines in 30-30.

 

My reloading experience with 30-30 is limited but just tried TAC with 150 gr. Sierra’s. So far it’s excellent in my new Trapper. Velocity is 2240 fps and matches factory ammo in the 16” barrel. Accuracy was outstanding especially considering my 73 year old eyes.

 

That's about what I got from Winchester Power Point and my H4895 reload, both 150 grain, from 20" 94 Winchesters. Your little Trapper has a 'fast' barrel and I would hang onto that one.

Just FWIW I have a 2" ported, Titanium Taurus 617 that breaks 1200 fps with American Eagle 158 grain 357 soft point. I've seen chrono results of that load from several 4" revolvers, that don't break 1200fps.

 

I have two pounds of unopened TAC. I was going to use that but everyone I communicated with said they had never heard of anyone using it for 30-30, so I got BL-C2. I might try TAC when theaBL-C2 is gone.

 

I have two pounds of unopened TAC. I was going to use that but everyone I communicated with said they had never heard of anyone using it for 30-30, so I got BL-C2. I might try TAC when the aBL-C2 is gone.

I wouldn’t have thought of using TAC either but I had it and didn’t want to buy another powder. The load data came from a Western Powders manual from a few years ago.