joe, I'm looking at a box of Hornady Leverolution in .30-30. The advertised velocity on the side of the box is 2400 fps but they do not specify barrel length. The bullet is a 160 gr. FTX.

I've heard very good reports from a friend who has tried a few boxes and read a couple of mixed reviews on the internet ref. this ammo.

Haven't chronoed or even dropped a hammer on any of this stuff. Just liked the idea of the soft-pointed (Hornady says they're O.K. for stuffing in tubes)spire-looking bullets rather than the traditional thutty-thutty bullet with the apparent aerodynamic qualities of my thumb.

Bought myself a couple boxes .30-30s and a friend a box of .30-30 and a box of 35 Rem. I'll post results as to accuracy and velocity if and when the weather ever breaks ???.

Rich

 

Factory 30-30 ammo is more or less loaded to about max(42,000 psi) already so you will need to work up very carefully. In most cases very seldom will the max load be the most accurate load in a given caliber. Find the load your rifle shoots well and go with that is my best advice. Remember, max load does not mean more accurate or better by any means. With 110 to 130 grain bullets velocities of 25 to 2800 fps are quite possible.

Maybe you need a 30-06,270, or 243 if you want a lot of speed and range.

 

I use the FTX 160 with 34 gr IMR-4895 Bl-C L2

Moves them right at 2400, if ya want more, crimp the crap out of them.

 

Dang Pard. You are looking good in your avatar. ;D I think I seen that movie about a train wreck full of gold.

 

Get you mind out of the gutter George.

 

I'd take accuracy over speed any day. I shoot Re7 and Winchester 150PPs. Most data support Re7 as the highest velocity maker. It is clean, easy to meter and available. It is also the powder I use for 308 Winchester and 45-70. If long range accuracy is in your plans, you will need to upgrade your factory sights, IMO.

Papalote

 

Dang Pard. You are looking good in your avatar. ;D

Rachel Welch in the movie 100 rifles

You did say HOT loads

 

Raquel sure enough is a hot load.

Seen 100 rifles too.

 

Loading a 30-30 hot is not always a good idea and a longer barrel dosen't always mean more velocity. The case on a 30-30 isn't thick enough to press the envelope and the action on lever action 30-30s is designed with low pressures in the equation.

With 34 gr of IMR4831 and a 190gr cast bullet I get 1775 fps average from my 20" barrel and also my 24" barrel. Both barrels leave unburned powder. Both guns will shoot groups of 5 shots with 4 holes touching and one flyer opening up th egroupe to 2.5 to 3" at 200 yards. I would take that accuracy over velocity any day.

By the way. I would never put a scope on a lever action 30-30.

Sixgun

 

Never say never my friend.

 

Loading a 30-30 hot is not always a good idea and a longer barrel dosen't always mean more velocity. The case on a 30-30 isn't thick enough to press the envelope and the action on lever action 30-30s is designed with low pressures in the equation.

With 34 gr of IMR4831 and a 190gr cast bullet I get 1775 fps average from my 20" barrel and also my 24" barrel. Both barrels leave unburned powder. Both guns will shoot groups of 5 shots with 4 holes touching and one flyer opening up th egroupe to 2.5 to 3" at 200 yards. I would take that accuracy over velocity any day.

By the way. I would never put a scope on a lever action 30-30.

Sixgun

What bullet or mold are you using for the 170?

 

Joecool,
It is a RCBS 180gr FP. My alloy is soft and the bullet weighs 190GR

Sixgun

 

I've pressed the pressures on the 30-30 many times, and found the best affective load is the one I can hit with the most accurately. Max has never been my most accurate. Try BL C2 and Rel. 15 for max velocities. Possibly 748 as well. I like the impact of the 170's in my guns as well as their inherent accuracy. Higher pressure 30-30's just don't work for me. Wasn't efficient or wasn't made for that.

 

I also like bl-c 2 for 30-30 high velocity loads but I don't go over max loads.
FB

 

I also like bl-c 2 for 30-30 high velocity loads but I don't go over max loads.
FB

Reviewing my load notes, It seems I bailed on IMR-4895 in favor of Ball C lot2.

My bad

 

I also have a cowboy 30-30 with a 24" barrel. I have loaded up a 150 gr jacketed flat point with 24 grains of H4198 to a little over 2000 fps. I have not tried the Hornady bullets yet but work terrific in the 45-70.

Good luck to ya!

 

170 grain JFP (Hornady Jacketed Flat Point)
IMR 4895 31.5 gr. 2,045 FPS
IMR 3031 32.0 gr. 2,120
H4895 32.0 gr. 2,212
Reloader 7 24.0 gr. 1,910
Reloader 12 32.0 gr. 2,160
Reloader 15 34.1 gr. 2,330 this a good loal
H380 36.0 gr. 2,182
A2700 35.0 gr. 2,098
A2460 30.2 gr. 2,118
748 32.0 gr. 2,145
760 33.6 gr. 1,975
150 grain JFP (Speer Jacketed Flat Point)
IMR 4895 35.5 gr. 2,315 FPS
IMR 3031 35.5* gr. 2,37
H4895 34.0 gr. 2,409
Reloader 7 27.5 gr. 2,190
Reloader 12 33.5 gr. 2,320
Reloader 15 36.0 gr. 2,450
H380 38.0 gr. 2,304
A2700 37.0 gr. 2,265
A2460 32.5 gr. 2,290
748 34.5 gr. 2,310
760 35.9 gr. 2,090
* compressed load
http://www.reloadammo.com/mds-rel7.gif
I have read that reloader use 375 Win. cases to form stronger 30/30 cases. As already memtion on this thread the 30/30 Win. cases are thin so the 375 win. cases maybe worth a try.

 

Are you seeing case failures in marlin lever action guns or TC? Are the cases the weak point of the SAAMI specs or the action?

 

No one has mentioned rechambering the gun to 30-30 Ackley Improved. Sam Fadala in his book, Winchester's 30-30, Model 94, has a Storey Conversion Rifle with a 24" barrel. He shows the following velocities for the 30-30 AI for the 130-190 gr bullets on page 60. For the 150 gr = 2,550 fps mv, for the 170 gr = 2,350 fps mv and 190 gr = 2,100 fps mv. He uses 37.0 gr of H-335 for the 150 gr bullet, 37.0 gr W-748 for the 170 gr bullet and 32.0 gr IMR 3031 for the 190 gr bullet. He got 2,780 fps mv with a 130 gr bullet using 40.0 gr H-335. Using the load of 33.0 gr of IMR 3031 and a 180 gr bullet, he got 2,222 fps mv. For the 190 gr bullet he pulled bullets from the 303 Savage, but you can purchase 190 gr bullets for the 30-30 from Hawk Bullet Co. He uses the 190 gr bullets for elk and moose. The book is a great resource of anything you wanted to know about the Win 94 and the 30-30 cartridge. Especially usefull is his chapter of loads for small game. I don't know why his load info couldn't be used in a modern Marlin Cowboy with a 24" barrel with similar results. Of note is that these loads use common flat nose or round nose 30-30 bullets, not the new rubber tipped Hornady bullets.

 

The 30/30 improved is one sure way of getting a little more velocity, usually around 100 to 150fps. You can still shoot factory 30/30 ammo in it in a pinch, it will just come out with the improved cartridge. You will loose a little velocity with factory ammo in an improved chamber. One thing no one is mentioning is the use of 375 Winchester brass, formed to 30/30. The 30/30 brass is weak and you'll get case head seperation with heavy loads. The 375 Winchester brass is thicker, and stronger, and can take the heavier loads better, especially if you're working up loads in an improved chamber. Since the 375 brass is thicker, there won't be as much powder capacity as a factory 30/30.

 

In a word, Don't.
If you feel the need for something more than the .30-30, go to a Savage 99 in a .308.
The .30-30 has plenty of heft with the heavy bullets if you do your part as a woodsman and hunter.
I recommend sticking with cast bullets at 170-180 grains and 1800-1900 fps. They'll drop and elk in it's tracks with proper bullet placement.
Why stress your receiever and components for minimal gain?

Hunt... it's about more than just killing.

 

I know this is an old post. However, an ongoing and relevant question.

The last day at the reloading bench was in May, before it got to 100 degrees + in the garage.

In November I loaded 22 Hornet and 32-20. Melted some alloy and casted bullets then loaded for the 38-55. It's time to get more trigger time at the silhouette matches over the cooler months in SoCal. My 32-20 has only seen cast down the tube to date. I am trying jacketed 85 gr to see if more fps will help. However, the wind is 10 mph gusting to 30 mph this weekend. If not the heat it is wind that presents a challenge in my neck of the woods.

 

Agreed. An AI is something that you may want but others may not should you decide to sell. Buy the 308 Marlin if you want more speed in a Marlin. I have enough projects without having to fireform brass, etc.

Papalote

 

You can make 30-30 cases from 375 Win cases but there is no free lunch. Be careful, the internal volume on the thicker stronger cases will reduce your internal powder capacity. A law of physics is this, "reduce the internal combustion chamber and you increase internal pressures and not in a direct proportion". In other words top (hot) loads in 30-30 cases will be too hot in reformed 375 Win cases. Just work your loads up carefully. The 30-30 fills a niche just as it's loaded and has for well over 115 years. You want something hotter buy another rifle in 300 Savage or 308 Win. I never loaded my 300 Savages to equal 308 Win and never loaded my 308 to equal my 30-06's and never loaded my 30-06 to equal the 300 Win Mag, ad infinitum. I think you see where this is going. Just some sage advise from a long time reloader/shooter/deer killer. Thanks for reading.
358 Win
NRA Life Member

 

You can make 30-30 cases from 375 Win cases but there is no free lunch. Be careful, the internal volume on the thicker stronger cases will reduce your internal powder capacity. A law of physics is this, "reduce the internal combustion chamber and you increase internal pressures and not in a direct proportion". In other words top (hot) loads in 30-30 cases will be too hot in reformed 375 Win cases. Just work your loads up carefully. The 30-30 fills a niche just as it's loaded and has for well over 115 years. You want something hotter buy another rifle in 300 Savage or 308 Win. I never loaded my 300 Savages to equal 308 Win and never loaded my 308 to equal my 30-06's and never loaded my 30-06 to equal the 300 Win Mag, ad infinitum. I think you see where this is going. Just some sage advise from a long time reloader/shooter/deer killer. Thanks for reading. 358 Win NRA Life Member

Be very careful with the pressures. You will expand the chamber and ruin the rilfe. 30-30 is not a LONG range cartridge

 

There was a guy that went by the handle of Sambane that used his 30 30 at 200 meters or better. He is from S. Africa. Claimed 240 meters was about its limit. He used 170 gr Win Power Points. He also sighted in at 200 meters (218 yards). That would be over 4 inches high at 100 years.
At this time my 30 30 CB is sighted in about 2 in high at 100 yards with Hornady LEs. It's good with a body hold out to 200 yards. I have a stand where most shots are under 100 yards with one stretch to 200.
I have another stand where I shoot mostly over 100 yards. I am not so in love with a 30 30 lever that I use it over a bolt action with cartridges like the 6.5 Creeoor.

DEP

 

The longer barrel will give you some more velocity. I had worked up a hot load of cfe223 with a 130gr HC. I can not remember what the velocity was out of a 20" barrel but it was close to 2600fps, the same load I tried in a Uberti 94 with a 26" barrel and it clocked in at 2890 plus or minus. I would think you could get about 150fps more than with a 20" barrel with most loads.