Reloading a 30-30
I'm just starting to reload 30-30s for a TC Contender. All data I can find is for loads which are relatively mild - 40,000 PSI and less than 2400 FPS[?]. I assume thats because of the age of the guns which may be using this old round. I've asked IMR about hotter loads and received the answer I should have expected - SAAMI sets the limits for a particular cartridge and they abide by this. Fair enough. But I cant believe that the 30-30 cant be loaded to give me 2800-2900 FPS with a 150 grain ballistic tip. Has anyone ever come across any data that would list the powders and loads for a hot 30-30? I know I could have chosen other 30 calibers and had the results I want but know I'm more curious than anything on why I cant do this.
0
-
From what I have read, it is because the walls of the case are too thin, being designed with the lower pressures in mind. 2900fps with a 150 is a full house 308 load. The 308 has 30% more capacity than a 30-30, and much better brass. The contender frames are only designed for low pressure and smaller cartidges anyway and are the limiting factor.
My border collie is smarter than your honor student.0 -
Richbug, thanks for the reply. I know the majority of the rounds used in the Contender are low pressure rounds but say I had an Encore instead of the Contender? Most of the rounds for the Encore are high pressure. That would mean the brass would be the limiting factor. I just bought 50 new Winchester brass. I cant make a comparison to other rounds regarding the brass strength or thickness but I cant help but think I should be able to get more than 2375 fps. I checked the 308 and 30-30 on the IMR site again and see the 308 with 45.5 gr of IMR4895 gets 2880 FPS with 150 gr bullet. The 30-30 uses only 33.3 grains to get only 2310 with the same bullet. I guess I have to look at the capacity of the casing as the limiting factor. I'm again assuming the casing wont hold anywhere near the 308 casing. And the 308 also developed pressures in the high 50K range - much more than the 30-30. 0 -
ANSI for the 30-30Win is 38,000CUP/42,000PSI
ANSI for the 308Win is 52,000CUP/60,000PSI
Case capacity for the 30-30 is 35.4gr water to BON
Case capacity for the 308Win is 49.9gr water to BON
You'd have to go quite a bit higher in pressure (than the 308) to overcome the 14.5gr water smaller case capacity of the 30-30
If you have a real "need for speed", load up some 125gr Nosler BT's.
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
When I used to reload for the 30-30 in a rifle the limiting factor on the brass was right at the base of the case. That is where it stretches when resized. I have to say too that 2800 fps in a 30-30 is hoping for way too much. 2450-2550 is much more the norm...for a full length barrel. The Contender, with it's 14 inch barrel won't give anywhere near the 2800 fps mark. All of my data shows around 2000-2150 fps max. I would would work pressures up slowly and if you use the cases many time be sure to check the thickness at the bases before continuing to reload very hot loads. -good luck
We have the second amendment so that all the rest are secure....UNK>0 -
Hi Walt,I like loading 110 and 130 gr.pills for my contender.They give me the accuracy I like and are comfortable to shoot.Just my two cents worth,keep your powder dry,Bob. 0 -
If I remember right, recently Hornady announced they were bringing out a "light magnum" in 30-30. It was in the "new products" part of either Guns & Ammo or American Rifleman. Supposedly, this is supposed to approach .308 velocity. The other calibers in this series is not duplicable either, so I would assume you'd have to buy factory loads. Either way, I think you're going to exceed safe limits for the cartridge and maybe the gun and still not get the velocity you seem to feel is doable in a pistol length barrel. 0 -
Thanks for all the input guys. This was more a curiosity thing and I think the basis for the lower velocities has been covered by your expertise. I always stick to the recommended loads in my Hornady book and I knew 30-30's were light when I got the carbine barrel. I just wasnt sure if the safety standards were because of antique firearms or what. If that was the case then maybe someone had worked up a safe load for stronger rifles. If I feel the need for speed I'll throw the 204 barrel on and hit the range. Thanks again. 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
7 comments