[jackruff]

The Hornady FTX .30-30 bullets I ordered months ago came in a few days ago. Today I was buying primers in a local gun store in Alabama and saw that they had Hornady LeverEvolution powder. So I bought some. I've used Re-7, 3031, and 4064 in the past but will try the LE. Anybody have some suggestions as to where to start. I don't think it's in the manuals I have. (Not at home so can't look right now.)

 

[unclesarge58]

Straight from the Hodgdon Web Site:
160 GR.HDY FTX
Powder Bullet Dia. C.O.L.
LVR ---- .308" --- 2.550"
Grs. --- Vel. ---- Pressure
32.0 -- 2,221 -- 31,200 CUP (START)
35.5C - 2,389 -- 37,500 CUP (MAX)

33.6 gr w/ 150gr Sierra FP works Best 4 Me.
UncleSarge58

 

[c.t.smith]

I use 33gr for cast 170gr boolits

 

[unclesarge58]

c.t.smith,
My '74 336 .30-30 seems to like 30gr LVR w/ Fed 210 Primers & the Lee 170gr RNFP.
Still Need to Play w/ this Load a Little More.
US58

 

[Bob A]

I think the original post asked for a load using LE powder with the Hornady 140 FTX.
I found 34.0 to 35.0 to be a good range. I get best accuracy at 34.0 in my 336.

Bob A

 

[Ret_Eng]

I think the original post asked for a load using LE powder with the Hornady 140 FTX.
I found 34.0 to 35.0 to be a good range. I get best accuracy at 34.0 in my 336.

Bob A

Hornady doesn't make the 140 grain in FTX bullets--they are Monoflex bullets. FTX 30-30s come in 160 grain only.

 

[dhansen]

For the 160gr FTX 27.7gr. @ 1900fps, 30.0gr. @ 2000fps, 31.7gr @ 2050fps, 32.4gr @ 2100fps, 34.8 @ 2200fps and 37.9gr @ 2300 fps. This information is right out of the Hornady 9th edition reloading handbook.

The Hodgdon/Hornady LeverEvolution powder flows and meters exceptionally well. It flows like water, it must have a real slippery coating.

 

[Bob A]

Hornady doesn't make the 140 grain in FTX bullets--they are Monoflex bullets. FTX 30-30s come in 160 grain only.

Oops. Thanks for catching my error. I will have to read more carefully before responding

Bob A

 

[GPSMAPNUT]

For the 160gr FTX 27.7gr. @ 1900fps, 30.0gr. @ 2000fps, 31.7gr @ 2050fps, 32.4gr @ 2100fps, 34.8 @ 2200fps and 37.9gr @ 2300 fps. This information is right out of the Hornady 9th edition reloading handbook.

The Hodgdon/Hornady LeverEvolution powder flows and meters exceptionally well. It flows like water, it must have a real slippery coating.

Well, so, who do you believe? For 160 Grs FTX over LVR, Hodgdon states 2,221 fps for 32 Grs and 2,389 for 35.5 GRS of powder.( Ref. Take Aim at Rifle Reloading Data | Hodgdon Reloading ) The max matches pretty much is what Hornady claims for their factory loads and IIRC is what is also printed on the label on the powder container. Maybe (just a thought) Hornady wants some to believe that they get a better / faster load buying factory for double the cost of re-loads?
AFAIK, 35.5 is already compressed load. Wouldn't 38 Grs fill the case to the rim? What pressure do they list for the 37.9 Grs?

 

[dhansen]

Well, so, who do you believe? For 160 Grs FTX over LVR, Hodgdon states 2,221 fps for 32 Grs and 2,389 for 35.5 GRS of powder.( Ref. Take Aim at Rifle Reloading Data | Hodgdon Reloading ) The max matches pretty much is what Hornady claims for their factory loads and IIRC is what is also printed on the label on the powder container. Maybe (just a thought) Hornady wants some to believe that they get a better / faster load buying factory for double the cost of re-loads?
AFAIK, 35.5 is already compressed load. Wouldn't 38 Grs fill the case to the rim? What pressure do they list for the 37.9 Grs?

When I get home tonight I'll look, I think if they listed pressures in the Hornady 9th edition I would have included them in my post. I was also using this powder in 32WSPL loads and found load data hard to come by. But with the 32WSPL loads, my chronograph readings at 10' from the barrel was matching within 50fps of the listed data. Again Data was limited. But you are right the 1lbs. bottles I have do have load data for the 30-30 and others listed, but no .32WSPL data on the bottle. I do wonder if the factory loads are the same powder or not, also if the charge weight is listed anywhere for the factory loaded FTX bullets. I think as time passes and Lev powder has been around longer we will have better access to the data.

 

[GPSMAPNUT]

When I get home tonight I'll look, I think if they listed pressures in the Hornady 9th edition I would have included them in my post. I was also using this powder in 32WSPL loads and found load data hard to come by. But with the 32WSPL loads, my chronograph readings at 10' from the barrel was matching within 50fps of the listed data. Again Data was limited. But you are right the 1lbs. bottles I have do have load data for the 30-30 and others listed, but no .32WSPL data on the bottle. I do wonder if the factory loads are the same powder or not, also if the charge weight is listed anywhere for the factory loaded FTX bullets. I think as time passes and Lev powder has been around longer we will have better access to the data.

I've read several reports that indicate that Hornady uses blended powders that may be customised for each cartridge. One used for 32 special may be not the same as the one used for 30-30
Also; every report that I have read on 30-30 factory Leverevolution being pulled and weighted; the charge was very close to 35.5 Grs of powder.

 

[Mr Fixit]

Did any one catch the OAL listed at 2.535" on the bottle and in the Hornady 8th Edition manual using the 160 FTX, while Hodgdon web site lists 2.550" as the seating depth? Point being one would be below the cannalure for the crimp, but the info is showing about the same fps for either 2.535" or 2.550"

So the web site shows 35.5C as max and the bottle does also with both showing 2389 fps, while the 8th Edition from Hornady lists 37.0 as max with 2300 fps. Beats me which one to believe in, so I'll stick with the 35.5 grs. as being a max and will have to chrony the loads. To me (still a new reloader as far as I'm concerned) this type of info is confusing. Going to be loading up some 160 FTX to the max of 35.5 grs. and 2.550" I'll let you guys know what happens. Mr fixit

BULLET WEIGHT 160 GR. HDY FTX



BULLET WEIGHT160 GR. HDY FTXStarting Loads
Maximum Loads

Manufacturer

Powder
Bullet Diam.​

C.O.L.
​

Grs.

Vel. (ft/s)

Pressure
​

Grs.

Vel. (ft/s)

Pressure
​

Hodgdon

LVR
.308"​

2.550"​

32.0

2,221
31,200 CUP​

35.5C

2,389
37,500 CUP​

 

[unclesarge58]

In My '74 336 .30-30, The Only Advantage I can See w/ LVR Powder is with Jacketed 150gr Bullets.
Helps Squeeze More Velocity & Range out of the .30-30 for those Longer Shots on Game.
Other than that I see No Advantage in Using it.
Think I'll Stick to IMR-3031 & H4198 & my Cast Boolits.
UncleSarge58

 

[cfussell]

Hi,
Consider using the CCI 350 large mag pistol primer. LVR is a hard to ignite ball powder and the CCI 350 primer is a very hot primer. It sits slightly lower in the pocket which is not a bad thing in a tubular magazine. Mic McPherson suggest them to me when he worked on one of my 30-30's. I use them exclusively now with very consistent results.

 

[308/338]

I think the original post asked for a load using LE powder with the Hornady 140 FTX.
I found 34.0 to 35.0 to be a good range. I get best accuracy at 34.0 in my 336.

Bob A

Bob the OP doesn't state bullet weight just they're 30 30 bullets. I hope the bullets is "part No#30395 FTX" 160 gr.and not 308 express bullets "No#30396" 160 gr. if he is loading 30 30 Win.

Okay in HDY.'s manual "30 30 Win." data" Leverevolution & 160 gr.FTX "part No#30395" Primer Fed. 210, starting powder charge (27.7 gr.) 30.0 gr. (32,4 gr.) 34.8 gr. MAX.(37.0)


T:biggrin: NY

 

[rowdy18]

I use 35.5 gr. behind a sierra 170gr fn. This is the medium load out of the Hodgdon manual. The 160 gr. Ftx must be a longer bullet as it shows less powder.

 

[308/338]

I use 35.5 gr. behind a sierra 170gr fn. This is the medium load out of the Hodgdon manual. The 160 gr. Ftx must be a longer bullet as it shows less powder.

I don't think its longer rather that the shape of the ogive. But it does seat deeper than the HDY. 170 gr. FN. does. Picture of the two bullets look like the bullet cannelure of the 30 30 160 gr. FTX is up from the base 60% and the 170 gr. FN. at 40% up from the base. Which make the 30 30 160 gr. FTX (part#930395) to be seated 20% deeper taking up more case capacity than the 170 gr. FN. bullet. But the 308MXL 160 gr. FTX (part#30396) cannelure is about 40% from the base giving the 308 express more case capacity when use to load 308 exp. cartridges.
T:hmmmm: NY